In college, you’re going to have to write a lot of essays. That’s great if you’re the type of a person who is comfortable putting your thoughts down on paper, but not-so-great if you struggle with this type of assignment. Although your college instructors may be helpful to a degree, they won’t always have time to assist you in improving your skills. That’s why it’s a good idea to stock up on some essential essay books before heading off to school. By having a collection of texts to refer to, you’ll always have some help readily available whenever you’re struggling to complete an essay.
The following guides are worth purchasing as you prepare for school.
The Elements of Style, William Strunk & E.B. White
Although this volume isn’t very long, it’s one of the most well-known books on writing. That’s mainly because all the advice included between its covers is very practical. While it won’t tell you how to write a particular type of essay, it will help you if your writing is often too wordy. Strunk and White wrote the guide to teach people how to use written language to explain or express a concept as precisely as possible. This makes it an essential resource for college students. Too often, college students write essays that have interesting ideas, but poor language.
Writing Essays for Dummies, Mary Page & Dr. Carrie Wistanley
This entry in the well-known For Dummies series is filled with useful information about the various types of essays you may be expected to write in college. If The Elements of Style provides you with the tools to write in clear, precise language, this book helps you take those tools and apply them to your academic coursework. Like many other entries in the series, the book is organized into multiple chapters, making it easy to find the specific section you need.
The Best American Essays of the 20th Century, edited by Joyce Carol Oates
When writing an essay in college, it’s easy to forget that a paper can be genuinely entertaining. Your main goal should always be to effectively meet the expectations of your instructors. That said, if you can do so while also making your essay a pleasure to read, you’re far more likely to stand out and earn a high grade. Reading some of the greatest essays written in the past century will help you get a better sense of what makes an essay work and what doesn’t. You may even find that you have a genuine passion for creative non-fiction, choosing to pursue courses on the subject.
Again, your college instructors will be too busy to help you boost your writing skills. While there are a number of options available to anyone who needs a little extra help, from online writing agencies to on-campus tutoring, you should also remember that having a few books on hand is a good idea. If you’re in the middle of writing an essay that’s due tomorrow, you need help right away. These three books can offer it.