Examples of a Rough Draft Essay: When and Why to Pitch or Submit Your Work

As writers, we all have our own unique approaches to crafting our work. While some may thrive under the pressure of a deadline, others may prefer to take their time and submit a polished piece from the start. In this article, we'll explore when and why you might choose to pitch your essay versus submitting the full draft.

For those who are new to publishing essays or don't have existing clips to showcase their skills, submitting the full piece may be the best option. This approach allows you to demonstrate your writing abilities and showcase your work in its entirety. On the other hand, experienced writers may opt to pitch their essay idea instead, especially if they're targeting markets that are open to receiving pitches.

Some publications, like Huff Post, may request a pitch first to determine whether an idea is a good fit for their platform. In these cases, submitting a full draft may not be necessary. However, other publications may prefer to receive the full essay on a pitch, so it's essential to research the specific publication's submission guidelines before deciding which approach to take.

For short personal essays that run in popular press markets, pitching is often the way to go. This approach allows you to showcase your unique voice and perspective while also giving editors a chance to gauge interest in your work.

In my own writing practice, I tend to submit full drafts of my essays rather than pitching them. However, I've learned that there are situations where pitching makes more sense. For example, when faced with a tight deadline or multiple commitments, submitting a pitch can be a more manageable and less stressful option.

Ultimately, the decision to pitch or submit your essay depends on various factors, including your level of experience, the publication you're targeting, and the type of work you're creating. By understanding these factors and being flexible in our approach, we can increase our chances of success as writers.

Here's an example of a successful personal essay pitch that I submitted to a publication last month:

Title: I'd love to write a personal essay about for your publication. As someone who has experienced 'related experience or perspective', I believe my unique voice and perspective would resonate with your readers.

The essay would explore and provide a fresh take on the topic by sharing 'personal anecdote or insight'. I'd be happy to discuss this idea further and provide a full draft if you're interested.

I hope this example gives you an idea of what a successful pitch might look like. Remember, pitching is all about showcasing your idea and demonstrating why it's worth publishing. By following these tips and being open to feedback, we can increase our chances of success in the world of essay writing.

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Examples of a rough draft essay