How to Help Your Friends in Writing an Essay

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How to Help Your Friends in Writing an Essay
Writing an essay can be challenging, but helping
your friends with the process can be just as
rewarding. Learn how to become an effective
writing coach with these tips in essay help.
by Harry Brook
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Understanding the Prompt
Read the Prompt with Them
Research Together
Clarify Vocabulary
Understand the assignment requirements and the
main points the essay should cover.
Explore the sources available and find examples
to support their arguments.
Ensure they understand any words or phrases they
are not familiar with and help them incorporate
them into the essay.
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Brainstorming Ideas
Encourage Creative Thinking
Explore Different Perspectives
Keep a Positive Attitude
Avoid criticizing or dismissing their ideas,
instead focus on how to build on them and make
them meaningful.
Suggest non-linear approaches to problem-solving
and use brainstorming techniques to stimulate
original ideas.
Discuss relevant issues from diverse angles to
help your friend form an informed and
well-rounded opinion.
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Organizing the Essay
Start Writing
Provide Final Edits
Encourage them to start with a draft and not to
worry about minor errors or coherence at this
point.
Help your friend proofread the essay and polish
the language.
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Create an Outline
Revise Improve Flow
Help your friend map out the essay's structure
and take note of the main ideas they want to
include.
Help them rearrange the structure to improve the
essay's readability and ensure the ideas progress
in a logical order.
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Providing Constructive Feedback
Use Feedback Forms
Encourage Group Feedback
Be Specific
Facilitate honest, direct feedback by using
anonymous forms such as Google Forms, so your
friend can improve without feeling personally
attacked.
Ask a diverse group of people to read the essay
and provide constructive peer review.
Provide clear, actionable feedback that your
friend can use to improve the essay, such as
noting the use of passive voice or repetitiveness.
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Avoiding Micromanagement
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Set Expectations Early
Let Them Lead
Respect Their Decisions
Discuss goals, timelines, and boundaries upfront.
Encourage your friend's creativity and autonomy
by letting them express themselves and make
choices.
Avoid forcing your own opinions or solutions on
them instead, help them evaluate their options.
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Time Management
Prioritize Tasks
Avoid Last-Minute Rush
Recognise Success
Help your friend create a schedule that works for
them and prioritizes the essay accordingly.
Explaining the risks and minimizing the anxiety
that comes with procrastination.
Celebrate milestones and recognize hard work,
reminding your friend that their efforts have a
positive impact.
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Revision Strategies
Use The Hemingway App
Read Aloud
Ask for Outside Help
Offer an online editing tool that helps your
friend simplify their writing and avoid common
errors.
Encourage your friend to read the essay out loud
to help spot difficult phrases or awkward
sentences that need to be rephrased.
You might want to suggest hiring a professional
editing service to correct any grammatical errors
and improve clarity.