1. The “Fine Art” of College Essay Writing

2. The Point The essay is your opportunity to tell the admission committee who you really are! Write about what you want to write about NOT what you think the admissions committee wants to hear!!! Reveal Yourself –Your personality –Your values –How you think –Why you’d be a good fit for that particular school –How you’d be a student who would enrich their school with everything that you have to offer.

3. Ten Things Admissions Committees Want Self-revelation Honesty Organization Directness Clarity Concision Candor Sincerity Originality Good syntax

4. Ten Biggest Essay Turnoffs Boasting Shameless flattery Begging Spelling errors Cliches Big, clunky words Generalizations Insincerity Vagueness Failed attempts at humor

5. The Topic Deciding what to write about can seem like a daunting task, but it is possible… –Narrow your focus –Write about something that is close to your heart –Make a list of possible topics –Brainstorm long before you actually try to start writing your essay Think about issues that matter to you Consider important moments in your life List people, places, and experiences that left an impression on you

6. Ten Ways to Get Started The 10 coolest places you’ve visited Your 10 most memorable high school experiences The 5 most difficult moments in your life The 5 most exciting moments The 3 most awkward moments Your 5 best accomplishments The top 5 words your parents, friends, or teachers would use to describe you The 5 most important influences on your life Your 5 favorite books Your 10 favorite activities

7. Ten Brainstorming Questions What was your most frightening experience? Whom do you love? Why? What books have changed your life? What is your favorite season? Why? Have you ever had a sudden realization about yourself? What was it? What has been the biggest disappointment in your life so far? What kind of art inspires you? What is the kindest thing you’ve ever done for someone else? If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? In what accomplishment do you take the most pride?

8. Ten Worn Out Topics* The Big Game My Trip Abroad Outward Bound Death of a relative Comparing oneself to food Volunteering Poverty Racism Equality World Peace *Worn out doesn’t mean don’t use these topics. You have to take a different approach.

9. Ten Dangerous Topics You Should Avoid Sex Suicide Anorexia Depression Drugs Alcohol Vandalism Theft Violence Terrorism

10. The Structure When writing the personal essay, you don’t and shouldn’t follow the rigid 4-5 paragraph structure learned in your English class. Write in first person!!

11. Structure of Your Essay Narrative- most common, most effective –Use Flashback (Good for usage for essay prompt asking for you to reflect on an experience that changed you.) –Cause/Effect (Same) –Anecdotal Evidence (Describe “stories” of your life) –Focus on single event Before you structure your essay, think about how you want the reader to experience your essay and view your material.

12. Ten Tips for Writing a Narrative Essay Use vivid descriptions. Start and end with action, if appropriate. Keep the story moving forward. Be clear about the chronology of events. Don’t give too many details. Include dialogue where appropriate. Use active verbs. Explain why you are telling this story. Be specific. Don’t repeat yourself.

13. Ten So What Questions Why is your topic important to you? Why did you chose your details? Why should you keep these details in your essay? How do your anecdotes enrich your essay? What do your descriptions say about you? How are the people you discuss meaningful to you? Why are you focusing on a particular moment in time? How did you form your opinions? Will your readers understand the connections you make? What more can you say to dig deeper?

14. How you should sound: Confident Relaxed Reflective Genuine Friendly Self-aware Optimistic Natural Direct engaging What you should avoid: Trying too hard to sound sophisticated by using big words Recycling brochure copy Sense of entitlement: make sure your essay doesn’t make it sound like you think you deserve to get in just because of who you are Boastfulness: consider the fine line between confidence and boastfulness. Simplistic writing: don’t oversimplify. Bleached personality- be human Inappropriate humor Flippancy- avoid sarcasm Overstatement- passionate not phony Close-Mindedness- be careful not to sound judgmental or biased.

15. Organization- intro tips Make an interesting observation. Start in the middle of a scene, with an action. Be concise. Provide direction. Be original. Grab the reader’s attention. Make a confession. Don’t excessively set up the scene. Give a glimpse of the main idea. Set the tone for the rest of the essay.

16. Organization- Conclusion tips Don’t repeat the same points. Tie up loose ends. Don’t summarize. Don’t introduce a new topic. Leave a strong impression. Match the rest of the essay in tone and content. Expand to broader context. Keep it brief. Make your strongest point. Create a feeling of completion.

17. Ways to Stand Out Show don’t tell. Use an anecdote. Be specific. Set a scene. Elicit emotion. Use strong verbs and nouns

18. Words to avoid Very A lot Really Cool amazing Wonderful Basically Definitely Deal with it (as in the verb, to deal with something) Hopefully

19. Cliches to Avoid What goes around comes around. Live and learn. Good things come to those who wait. There’s no such thing as a free ride. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. If you can’t beat them, join them. Beauty is only skin deep. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover. No pain, no gain. When it rains, it pours.

20. Don’t forget Leave yourself enough time to PROOFREAD!!! Read your essay out loud. Give your essay to a friend, parent, or teacher to read for feedback and proofreading.