After working with dozens of high school students on their writing, I keep seeing the same mistakes cost them grades and college admission points.

Here are the 3 biggest ones — and how to fix them:

1. No clear thesis

Most students bury their argument or write one that's too vague to defend. A strong thesis takes a specific, arguable position. "Social media is bad" is not a thesis. "Social media's dopamine-driven design actively harms teenagers' ability to develop long-term focus" — that's a thesis.

2. Evidence without analysis

Students quote sources and then just move on. Always follow evidence with 2-3 sentences of your own analysis explaining why it supports your argument.

3. Weak conclusions that just restate the intro

Your conclusion should leave the reader thinking. End with the "so what" — why does your argument matter in the bigger picture?

Fix these three things and you'll see a noticeable jump in your scores. If you want personalized feedback on your specific essays, that's exactly what InkCoach is for.

Hey! Welcome to InkCoach — really glad you're here.

Here's how to get the most out of your membership:

1. Jump into Student Chat

Ask questions anytime. Whether it's a quick grammar question or you need feedback on a full essay draft — drop it in chat and I'll get back to you.

2. Check Writing Tips & Updates regularly

I'll post writing strategies, AP English breakdowns, essay structures, and more here every week.

3. Share your work

The best way to improve is to get your writing in front of someone who can actually help. Send me your drafts.

Let's get to work. 🎯