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Are contractions appropriate for use in a college essay?

I'm in the process of editing my college essay, and I noticed I used some contractions. I was wondering if this is okay or if it would be better to avoid them and use the full phrases like 'do not' instead of 'don't'. Does it make a difference?

11 months ago

Hello! Great question about contractions in college essays. In general, contractions are considered informal, so it depends on the tone you want to convey in your writing. If you're aiming for a more casual or conversational tone, contractions can be appropriate. However, if you want to present a more formal tone, avoiding contractions might be a better choice.

It's important to keep in mind that college essays are an opportunity to showcase your personality, so you should prioritize a writing style that feels natural and authentic to you. If using contractions helps you achieve that, go for it! Just make sure your essay is still easy to read and understand.

Good luck with your essay, and I hope this helps!

11 months ago

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