Essay length?

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Sadowski
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Topic: Essay length?
PostWed Jun 13, 2007 1:54 pm

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I started practicing for the AWA argument section yesterday. I'm slowly getting the hang of it, but I feel like my essays are too short. On average they're 250-300 words in 4 paragraphs. Any thoughts?
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beatthegmat
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PostWed Jun 13, 2007 7:39 pm

Sadowski wrote:
I started practicing for the AWA argument section yesterday. I'm slowly getting the hang of it, but I feel like my essays are too short. On average they're 250-300 words in 4 paragraphs. Any thoughts?
Officially, it's really all about quality of your writing, not length. However, I've heard a rumor (probably a myth) that the E-rater tends to score lengthier essays higher. I took tihs rumor to heart when I prepped, and aimed for closer to 350 words on the real thing...
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PostMon Jul 30, 2007 12:55 am

I don't think it's a myth - I read a study by the Princeton Review that stated length was the most important factor in the AWA score. I totaled about 750 words on my practice AWAs and hit around the same length for my actual AWA. Got a 6.
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