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This video covers the top ten things to definitely not do in an essay and provides some tips for how to avoid them. Plagiarism and disorganization...

We like to say that the first step toward asking a good question is marinating in your thoughts. Uncle Bob's BBQ chicken isn't any good unless it h...

You should probably know what kind of essay you're writing before you actually start writing it. Just like you should probably know where you're go...

Who doesn’t love a good argument? There’s something invigorating about persuading someone to come around to your point of view. And hey—if yo...

This video covers what makes a strong analysis essay—you don’t even have to like the material to write a good one. With this kind of essay, it�...

This video defines a descriptive essay—it’s just what it sounds like. It covers what makes a strong descriptive essay—from providing unique d...

To find similarities and differences between two topics, just compare and contrast. This video explains the difference between comparing and contra...

Cause: You watch this video. Effect: You’ll be our best friend 4EVA. (We promise we don’t say that to everybody.)

Choosing a topic can be extremely difficult—even more difficult than deciding which Ben & Jerry's flavor to try next. No, scratch that. Nothing w...

Just imagine—a storm that doesn't end in splintered houses and piles of snow taller than your two-story house. Instead, these storms leave valuab...

We recommend carrying a copy of your outline with you wherever you go. You never know when someone will ask you to organize your thoughts.

Without a thesis statement, you don't have a paper. Watch this video, and get the inside scoop on how to write a killer thesis statement.

A strong thesis is crucial for a good essay. But how do you structure a great thesis statement? If you’re watching this video, you’ve come to t...

The London Bridge may be falling down, falling down, falling down....but your essay will be one stalwart structure that stands the tests of time.

We'll teach you how to get your thesis statement to stand on its own two feet instead of wobbling around like a newborn Rudolph. No stumbles allowe...

We'll teach you how to create a touchy-feely first sentences that'll capture your reader from the get-go, but don't get too carried away. You don...

This video offers some rules of thumb for writing a good introduction. It covers everything from tone (confidence is key!) to phrases and clichés...

Transitioning smoothly from one sentence to the next can be tough. With a little bit of our help, your teacher will be calling you Mr. or Ms. Suave...

This video talks about transitions—why are they important for your essay? What do they do? What are the two major types of transition?

You want to be as picky with your citations as Goldilocks was with her porridge—not too many, not too few... juuust right. You want to prove that...

Even the best essays can go wrong in the conclusion—this video covers what not to do in a conclusion to help avoid any essay-ending problems. The tips in this video help sort out what should go in a conclusion (and what might be better in a body paragraph) and will help any essay from going down like the Hindenburg.

This video gives key tips for writing punchy concluding sentences, plus advice on when to use them. Making a joke, taking a step back, and bringing your argument full circle can all be great ways to conclude a paragraph—and they’re all discussed in this video.

If five paragraphs is simply not going to cut it, then take six and throw in that extra example You'll want to ask your teacher first, but how many do you think will actually deny you the right to put in more effort?

No, this does not involve tracking authors down and grilling them on their credentials. You are not Liam Neeson, and this is not Taken 3. You're sleuthing methods will need to be a bit more covert.

This video goes over MLA citations: where to put page numbers, how to set up a works cited page, and how to cite with long quotes.

APA = American Psychological Association. These are the folks have the power to invade your unconscious mind at will. Kidding—all they want to do is teach you how to cite sources correctly.

No, this video will not teach you how to imitate the fashionistas struttin' down the streets of South Side. But you will learn the tools you need to get in tight with those trendy intellectual types.

Because the world is working hard to make sure that your brain hurts, there is more than one way to cite an outside source within an essay. You can feel it throbbing already, can’t you?

Well, if you're crafting a formal exposé on the accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln, you probably shouldn't use first-person pronouns. You don't really belong there. However, writing about your latest hike up Mt. Everest might be difficult without a few I's and me's.

If you copy this video description in its entirety and paste it somewhere else on the Internet, we will be none too pleased. And trust us—we will find you. In fact, we’re going to end things with an unusual word, just so it’s easier to track you down. Boondoggle.