Seek help from others in revising your essay. Although it is important that your essay be your own work, there is nothing wrong with asking someone else to read over your first draft and make appropriate suggestions on improving it. This is one of the main jobs of the tutors here at the History Tutoring Center. Oftentimes a second reader can point out mistakes in your paper that you missed simply because you have stared at it too much. Be sure to have whomever reads your paper write their comments directly onto it.
Verbal criticism is meaningless in the essay writing process.
Finally, always remember to remain focused. The purpose of writing is to communicate. If any part of your essay, be it a sentence, a paragraph, or a theme, is unclear - then the reader might have a hard time understanding your work. Please feel free to stop by the History Tutoring Center with a draft of your essay. We welcome the chance to help you.