Writing a College Essay

Pick a topic- What’s the point of your essay? Pick a topic- What’s the point of your essay? The essay should answer the question given and be written in an interesting way. The essay should answer the question given and be written in an interesting way.

The Essay- Your Opportunity to Sell Yourself The Essay- Your Opportunity to Sell Yourself Intro- * Start with a strong clear opener that grabs the reader. *Set up your thesis (your topic) with the opener. Body- *Usually have 1- 3 paragraphs tight and focused. *Each paragraph should have an intro and concluding sentence with clear transitions between. *Make sure each paragraph has a clear point. Make sure each paragraph clearly relates to one another. Conclusion- Do not start your conclusion with “ In conclusion” *Your conclusion can be the moral of the story/ implication of the essay. *Be brief *Tie back to the audience/ show how you will thrive at their school.

THINGS TO REMEMBER: This is your chance to stand out This is your chance to stand out Proves your writing skills (one of the most important skills in college). Proves your writing skills (one of the most important skills in college). Make the common topic unique to you. Make the common topic unique to you. BIGGIE- It’s all about you and who knows you better than you? BIGGIE- It’s all about you and who knows you better than you?

COMMON MISTAKES: Poor proof reading- do not rely on spell check Poor proof reading- do not rely on spell check Look for common version mistakes your/ you’re Look for common version mistakes your/ you’re Don’t use a quote for no reason; it makes you seem lofty but no one will be impressed Don’t use a quote for no reason; it makes you seem lofty but no one will be impressed

COMMON MISTAKES cont. Don’t use too many big words. Your essay needs to be conversational. If you have a good word, use it. If you have to use a thesaurus skip it. Don’t use too many big words. Your essay needs to be conversational. If you have a good word, use it. If you have to use a thesaurus skip it. Not adapting your essay for the college you’re sending it to. Make sure that you reference something about the school you are sending your essay to. Not adapting your essay for the college you’re sending it to. Make sure that you reference something about the school you are sending your essay to.

BRAINSTORMING: Develop 3 lists of ten things about you. Develop 3 lists of ten things about you. Set 1- Ten things nobody knows about me (serious/funny/silly). If you know the topic of the essay, center your list around it. Set 1- Ten things nobody knows about me (serious/funny/silly). If you know the topic of the essay, center your list around it. Set 2- Ten things your good/bad at. (Try to make a negative a positive) Set 2- Ten things your good/bad at. (Try to make a negative a positive) Set 3 Ten things you want to get out of college. (Don’t state the obvious- everyone wants a good education. ) Be specific to each college. Set 3 Ten things you want to get out of college. (Don’t state the obvious- everyone wants a good education. ) Be specific to each college.