1. Creative Non-Fiction The Personal Essay

2. What you need... A Reason a.k.a. the dreaded thesis The important part of your story... WHY YOU ARE WRITING! A Plan A carefully guided writing process will help create the perfect essay! A Topic Choose a subject that interests you and one you enjoy--this will make the writing process fun!

3. Establish the Moment In creative non-fiction, the scene in which the story takes place is as important as the story itself. The moment has to be engaging enough for your reader to keep reading and interesting enough for you to keep writing. Everyone has personal stories that are significant, as a writer you must establish WHY this moment is important enough to be shared with others.

5. elements of excellent essays Using an authentic voice is critical when writing a personal essay. Use the voice that comes most naturally to you. Find your voice, find your story voice the distinctive tone or style of a literary work or author.

6. elements of excellent essays Organized Paragraphs & Good Transitions add to readability

7. Tie your thoughts in new paragraphs to ideas where the last paragraph left off. Paragraphs have a beginning, middle and end just as the entire essay does--only on a smaller level. Each new idea within your essay should start a new paragraph. Each paragraph should be a logical progression from one idea to the next. Good transitions connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole.

8. ...The sea was right there, forty feet away and coming closer. The sky hung above the sea as the orange sun slowly fell down the sky. It was cold. It was also the high point of my life. I'd had high points before. Once at night while walking in the park through the rain I found a hundred dollar bill next to a garbage can. This lucky find didn't even come close to the feelings I experienced on the water...

9. elements of excellent essays Precise words make writing come alive. watched in dis We ate lunch. OR Joe attacked his sandwich like he had never eaten lunch before as I watched in disgust.

10. Personal essays should be written in the 1st person point of view because they are PERSONAL. When you write in the first person, you are speaking for yourself only-- you can make observations of others, but you can't speak for them or or truly know what they are thinking. first person point of view

11. Personal essays are written in the past tense. The tense of your essay needs to be consistent, otherwise your essay will be confusing. He had running into the woods by the time I got there.

12. Brainstorm until you find the perfect topic that you care about Organize the ideas and events of your story Write your first essay draft Edit your essay to make it better Revise and revise again Share your work  And finally, relax! It is just an essay. The personal essay, especially, is an expression of you and your feelings and opinions. You're unique without even trying. Write from your heart about what you know and like, and you'll be just fine!