Check your essay for red flags
Paste your essay and get comments highlighting serious issues that could hurt your application.
Check your essay for red flags
River's Red-Flag Highlighter scans your essay for serious issues that could hurt your application. The AI identifies clichés, vague language, generic statements, inappropriate tone, and common mistakes admissions officers notice. You get targeted comments marking only the problematic sections, showing you exactly what needs fixing before you submit. This tool focuses on critical issues rather than minor edits, helping you avoid the mistakes that make essays forgettable or unprofessional.
Unlike comprehensive editing tools that comment on everything, this highlighter focuses exclusively on red flags. The AI marks phrases like I have always wanted to, worked hard, or helped the less fortunate. It catches vague claims without evidence, inappropriate informal language, and statements that could apply to anyone. You see what makes admissions readers cringe or skim rather than wasting time on polish when bigger problems exist. Fix these red flags first, then refine other aspects of your essay.
This tool is perfect for all college and graduate school applicants who want a final check before submitting. Use it when you have a complete draft and want to catch serious problems you might have missed. It works best as a last-step review after you have revised for content and structure. The tool helps you avoid the common mistakes that make essays generic or unprofessional, ensuring your application presents your authentic voice without red flags that distract from your story.
What Are Essay Red Flags
Essay red flags are phrases, structures, or content choices that immediately signal weak writing to admissions officers. Common red flags include clichés like I have always dreamed of or made me who I am today, vague statements like I am passionate about helping people, and generic claims that could describe any applicant. Red flags also include inappropriate tone like overly casual language or trying too hard to sound profound. These issues make essays forgettable because thousands of applicants use the same tired phrases and vague generalities.
Red flags matter because admissions officers read thousands of essays. They spot clichés and generic language instantly. These problems suggest you did not think deeply about your essay or did not revise carefully. Worse, they make you sound like everyone else. Admissions committees want to understand who you are specifically, not read another essay about working hard and overcoming challenges. Red flags bury your unique perspective under layers of generic language that says nothing meaningful about you as an individual.
To avoid red flags, read your essay critically and mark any phrase you have heard in other essays. Replace clichés with specific details. Turn vague claims into concrete examples. Cut generic statements about passion or leadership unless you support them with real evidence. Check that your tone is appropriate for the audience. Read your essay aloud and cringe at anything that sounds fake, overdone, or borrowed. The goal is writing that reveals your authentic voice and specific experiences rather than recycled phrases every applicant uses. Original thinking requires original language.
What You Get
Targeted comments marking clichés and overused phrases
Identification of vague claims lacking specific evidence
Highlights of generic statements that could apply to anyone
Flags for inappropriate tone or language choices
Focus on critical issues rather than minor style preferences
How It Works
- 1Paste your essayCopy your complete draft into the tool (50-5000 words)
- 2AI scans for red flagsGet comments highlighting serious issues like clichés, vague language, and generic claims in 2-4 minutes
- 3Review warningsRead each flagged section and understand why it is problematic
- 4Fix red flagsReplace highlighted issues with specific details and original language before submitting
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tool check grammar and spelling?
No. This tool focuses exclusively on content red flags like clichés, vague language, and generic statements. For grammar and spelling, use a dedicated grammar checker or spell checker after you fix red flags. It makes more sense to catch serious content issues first before polishing sentences. If your essay is full of clichés and vague claims, perfect grammar does not help. Fix the big problems first, then clean up mechanics.
What if the tool flags something I think is fine?
Use your judgment. The tool marks common red flags, but context matters. A phrase that works in one essay might be cliché in another. If the tool flags something you wrote intentionally for good reason, keep it. But seriously consider whether the flagged language truly serves your essay or if you defaulted to familiar phrases without thinking. Most flags indicate real problems worth fixing. If you disagree, at least ask someone else to review that section.
How many red flags are too many?
Even one major red flag can hurt your essay if it appears in a crucial spot like your opening or thesis. If you have more than five or six flags in a typical college essay, your draft needs significant revision. That many red flags suggest you relied too heavily on generic language and clichés. Take time to replace flagged sections with specific details and original thinking. A strong essay should have few or no red flags because it uses concrete, authentic language throughout.
Can I use this for any type of essay?
Yes. Red flags hurt all application essays including college personal statements, graduate school statements of purpose, scholarship essays, and supplemental essays. The same problems plague all these formats. Clichés, vague language, and generic claims weaken any essay. The tool works for most academic and professional writing where originality and specificity matter. Use it whenever you want to catch common mistakes before submitting important writing.
Should I fix red flags before or after other edits?
After you have solid content and structure, but before final polishing. Write your first draft freely without worrying about red flags. Revise for content, organization, and argument strength. Then use this tool to catch red flags. Fix those issues by adding specifics and original language. Finally, polish grammar and style. If you check for red flags too early, you might fix sentences you end up cutting. If you check too late, you might not have time to make substantive improvements the flags reveal.
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