How To Write An Essay About Yourself Tips for writing personal essays to send with your applications for scholarships and/or specific programs

It’s like an expository essay…. … but not really It’s like a persuasive essay…. … but not really Tips on Writing An Essay About Yourself

Personal essays should, of course, be well-written, with no errors in spelling and grammar. Check them carefully for errors. Tip: Write the essay on a word processing program. Then use Spell Check to find errors. Personal essays should be informative. The reader should know more about you when finished with the essay. Think of this as the main purpose of the essay.

Never forget that the readers and/or assessors of these types of essays read so many similar papers that they tend to blend together. Make sure your essay stands out! Your essay should be ENJOYABLE MEMORABLE

Time Out: This is a warning to students. Your application may specifically state that the essay submitted must be your own work. Be sure your personal essay is written in your words and reflects your ideas. It must NOT be the product of excessive ‘help’ from parents, friends, or teachers.

Use the same format for personal essay writing as for expository and persuasive essays …. …… but with a few tweaks.

Address the prompt! Be very formal Address the prompt! No sarcasm Address the prompt! Little, if no, humor Address the prompt! No extended anecdotes

More tweaks ….. Be direct Make every word count Avoid figurative language INCLUDE HIGHER VOCABULARY Strong verbs Vivid adjectives Use dictionary and thesaurus

Stay Out Of The Trash! Read and FOLLOW the directions set up by the organization requesting the essay. Most essays have a word limit. If the directions call for a 200-word essay, do not submit a 300-word essay. If you do, your essay will be tossed in the trash. More is not always better! Follow the directions.

Points to ponder Before you begin, spend time thinking about the prompt. Often you will be asked to write about your strengths and weaknesses. This is not a timed essay. You have ample time to develop a quality essay.

Given the number of students writing on the same topic, consider that the first thought you have will be the same one many others will have. Seek to be different. Think about how many students will write that they are “hard workers” and that they “study all the time” and read daily.

When writing about your strengths and weaknesses, avoid making lists. Remember, you don’t have to write about ALL your strengths and weaknesses – one or two will do, if you write honestly and convincingly.

Using the same formula for essay writing, start off with a funneled intro. Consider using a quote relating to the prompt. (Remember, you have time to think about what to write.) As Shakespeare said so eloquently, ‘To thine own self be true ….” Be sure to properly cite the quote and use the correct format.

The reader of your essay wants to feel good about choosing you, whether it is to give you money for your education or to include you in a special program. Make sure you come across not only as a good student, but as a good person, too.

Read your essay and ask yourself: Do I sound interesting? Do I seem to be a kind person who gets along with others? Do I seem to be headed toward success?

When writing about your strengths, avoid false modesty AND exaggeration. The grades you submit will indicate your intelligence and success in school. The reader wants to know the how and why behind your success. Who inspires you? Who helps you? How have you set yourself up for success?

When writing about your weaknesses, be honest and not phony. Avoid writing that your weakness is that you “work too hard” or “care too much.” Instead, do a self-analysis. What are the areas that you’d like to change about yourself? How can you improve?

Write about your weakness in an honest way …. but be sure to address how you are working to improve yourself or to overcome your problems. Some common problems: Too shy Often late Procrastinate

When you are done, read your essay aloud to a parent and to a friend. Ask them, “Does this sound like me? If you read this and didn’t see my name on it, would you know it was me who wrote it?” If they say yes, then your essay is indeed personal and reflects you and your style.