The Personal Essay Writing the College Application

A Personal Essay Focuses on a belief or insight about life that is significant to the writer

Personal Narrative Focuses on a significant event

Personal Memoir Focuses on a specific relationship between the writer and a person, place, or object

A personal essay often combines elements of both the narrative and the memoir since an insight about life or a personal belief is usually based on both experiences and relationships A personal essay often combines elements of both the narrative and the memoir since an insight about life or a personal belief is usually based on both experiences and relationships Both elements form the basis of the writer’s value system Both elements form the basis of the writer’s value system

Personal Essay Communicates the significance of a central idea or insight that has deep personal meaning Communicates the significance of a central idea or insight that has deep personal meaning Purpose is more reflective Purpose is more reflective Development is based on the writer’s personal experiences or anecdotes Development is based on the writer’s personal experiences or anecdotes Written in first person; more conversational or entertaining in style Written in first person; more conversational or entertaining in style Rarely requires documentation Rarely requires documentation More subjective and informal in tone, language, and subject matter More subjective and informal in tone, language, and subject matter

Transactive Writing Conveys information to a reader who knows less than the writer; may attempt to persuade a reader to take a particular action or believe a certain way Conveys information to a reader who knows less than the writer; may attempt to persuade a reader to take a particular action or believe a certain way Purpose is more persuasive, an attempt to convince others to agree with the writer’s position Purpose is more persuasive, an attempt to convince others to agree with the writer’s position Development is based on research from credible sources Development is based on research from credible sources Often requires documentation Often requires documentation Written in third person; more issue driven and formal or academic in style Written in third person; more issue driven and formal or academic in style