Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Personality Values Strengths Preferences How you think Explanations for underachievement Overcoming adversity Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop The “you” question Tell us about yourself. The “why us” question Why is our school the right place for you? The “creative” question Tell us about a person who has influenced you for good. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Think of powerful words that describe you! Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Determined Pro-active Creative Passionate Curious Engaged Resilient Ambitious Compassionate Intuitive

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Prove it Develop a single point with vivid and specific facts, events, and examples. It’s not enough to say that you are creative. Tell a good story of you being creative. Be specific Avoid cliché, generic or predictable writing. Use details – show don’t tell. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Don’t just write what you think they want to read. Don’t write a resume. Don’t waste words telling what your transcript shows. Don’t use 50 words when 5 words will do. Don’t forget to proofread.

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Brainstorming: too important to skip! Spend some time thinking about who you are and what makes you special. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes then spend this time making a list of your personality strengths and weaknesses. (This is not a list of activities and awards. Create a self-outline: next to each trait list 3-5 examples of what you have done in your life that will prove this point. Find patterns and connections: group similar ideas and events together. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Drafting: this is the first attempt so don’t expect perfection. Introduction – Include a concise thesis statement. “I am known for my ___.” Body – Tell a story that supports the thesis. Conclusion – Explain the significance of your evidence. How will this trait help you in the future? Revising: this is where writing becomes good, or even great. Share your draft with others to get their feedback. Work on the ideas and details, save the grammar for later. Editing: the final polish on the essay. Anything less than perfection is unacceptable for a college essay. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Talk into a recorder or use a dictation software program or app. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop It may help get your ideas flowing Pull out the best ideas to write down Make an outline of the question, then fill it in.

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Put it in your own words. Avoid clichés and tired phrases. Establish a personal connection. Say something new. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop (Scholarships.com blog)

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Leading with a quote shows the reviewer that you know how to read, but it doesn’t tell much else about you or your ideas. Use your own words to begin, and if a quote supports or enhances your argument, consider bringing it in later in the essay. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop (Scholarships.com blog)

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop One of your essay’s goals should be to distinguish you from the competition, and it won’t do this if it rehashes the same overused expressions that everyone else employs. Keep in mind that the scholarship reviewer will be reading hundreds or even thousands of applications. What seems clever or cute the first time doesn’t seem that way after the 50th iteration. A good rule to follow is that if a phrase belongs on a bumper sticker or in an email from your mom, it likely does not belong in your scholarship essay. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop (Scholarships.com blog)

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop If your experience gives you a unique perspective on the essay’s topic, show your reader this. Most people are suckers for personal anecdotes, provided the stories are interesting and well-told. Make sure the story you tell enriches your essay and contributes to your overall message. Don’t get melodramatic and don’t bog down your intro in an overly long, detailed or irrelevant narrative, but if you’ve got a good story to tell to frame your essay, use it! Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop (Scholarships.com blog)

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop There’s no better way to stand out from a pile of fairly standard essay responses than to have something fresh and thought-provoking to contribute with your scholarship application. Consider opening your essay with your thesis statement. Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop (Scholarships.com blog)

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop Never exceed the word count. Make sure it looks professional. Have several people with strong writing and editing skills review it. Make sure it’s on time! Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop