Writing a College EssayWriting a College Essay

Writing a College EssayWriting a College Essay

Pick a topic- What’s the point Pick a topic- What’s the point of your essay?of your essay?

The essay should answer the The essay should answer the question given and be written in question given and be written in an interesting way.an interesting way.

The Essay- Your Opportunity The Essay- Your Opportunity to Sell Yourselfto Sell Yourself

Intro-Intro-* Start with a strong clear opener that grabs the reader.* Start with a strong clear opener that grabs the reader.*Set up your thesis (your topic) with the opener.*Set up your thesis (your topic) with the opener.

Body-Body-*Usually have 1- 3 paragraphs tight and focused.*Usually have 1- 3 paragraphs tight and focused.*Each paragraph should have an intro and concluding sentence *Each paragraph should have an intro and concluding sentence

with clear transitions between.with clear transitions between.*Make sure each paragraph has a clear point. Make sure each *Make sure each paragraph has a clear point. Make sure each

paragraph clearly relates to one another.paragraph clearly relates to one another.

Conclusion- Do not start your conclusion with “ In conclusion”Conclusion- Do not start your conclusion with “ In conclusion”*Your conclusion can be the moral of the story/ implication of the *Your conclusion can be the moral of the story/ implication of the

essay.essay.*Be brief*Be brief*Tie back to the audience/ show how you will thrive at their school.*Tie back to the audience/ show how you will thrive at their school.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:THINGS TO REMEMBER:

This is your chance to stand outThis is your chance to stand out Proves your writing skills (one of Proves your writing skills (one of

the most important skills in the most important skills in college).college).

Make the common topic unique to Make the common topic unique to you.you.

BIGGIE- It’s all about you and who BIGGIE- It’s all about you and who knows you better than you?knows you better than you?

COMMON MISTAKES:COMMON MISTAKES:

Poor proof reading- do not Poor proof reading- do not rely on spell checkrely on spell check

Look for common version Look for common version mistakes your/ you’remistakes your/ you’re

Don’t use a quote for no Don’t use a quote for no reason; it makes you seem reason; it makes you seem lofty but no one will be lofty but no one will be impressedimpressed

COMMON MISTAKES cont.COMMON MISTAKES cont.

Don’t use too many big words. Don’t use too many big words. Your essay needs to be Your essay needs to be conversational. If you have a good conversational. If you have a good word, use it. If you have to use a word, use it. If you have to use a thesaurus skip it.thesaurus skip it.

Not adapting your essay for the Not adapting your essay for the college you’re sending it to. Make college you’re sending it to. Make sure that you reference something sure that you reference something about the school you are sending about the school you are sending your essay to.your essay to.

BRAINSTORMING: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 Set 1- Ten things nobody knows about me (serious/funny/silly). If you know the topic of the (serious/funny/silly). If you know the topic of the essay, center your list around it. essay, center your list around it.

Set 2- Ten things your good/bad at. (Try to make Set 2- Ten things your good/bad at. (Try to make a negative a positive)a negative a positive)

Set 3 Ten things you want to get out of college. Set 3 Ten things you want to get out of college. (Don’t state the obvious- everyone wants a (Don’t state the obvious- everyone wants a good education. ) Be specific to each college. good education. ) Be specific to each college.