Common Weaknesses and How to Fix Them

Every Section B candidate has weaknesses. The difference between well-prepared and poorly-prepared candidates is not the absence of weaknesses — it is the awareness of them and the effort to address them. This lesson identifies the most common weaknesses in Section B essays and provides specific, actionable strategies for fixing each one.

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Weakness 1: Waffle

What It Looks Like

Waffle is writing that uses many words without saying much. It fills space but does not advance the argument. Readers — especially admissions tutors who read hundreds of essays — recognise it instantly.

Examples of waffle:

"This is a very important topic that has been debated for many years by many different people from many different perspectives."

"It is clear that there are numerous arguments both for and against this position, and it is important to consider all of them carefully before reaching a conclusion."

These sentences contain no information. They could be removed without any loss.

Why It Happens