Once the brainstorming is completed and you
have the actual application questions in front of you,
it's time to begin writing your essay(s).
Probably the most essential element of writing your essay is to do it
with flair -- keep the reader engaged, showing rather than telling.
Here are some more tips for writing:
Answer the Question. If you don't answer the question -- respond to the prompt,
your essay will actually have a negative impact on your application.
Be Original. Even seemingly boring essay topics can sound interesting if creatively
approached. If writing about a gymnastics competition you trained
for, do not start your essay: "I worked long hours for many
weeks to train for XXX competition." Consider an opening
like, "Every morning I awoke at 5:00 to sweat, tears, and
blood as I trained on the uneven bars hoping to bring the state
gymnastics trophy to my hometown."
Be Yourself. Admissions officers want to learn about you and your writing ability.
Write about something meaningful and describe your feelings, not
necessarily your actions. If you do this, your essay will be unique.
Many people travel to foreign countries or win competitions, but
your feelings during these events are unique to you. Unless a
philosophy or societal problem has interested you intensely for
years, stay away from grand themes that you have little personal
experience with.
Don't "Thesaurize" your Composition. For some reason,
students continue to think big words make good
essays. Big words are fine, but only if they are used in the appropriate
contexts with complex styles. Think Hemingway.
Use Imagery and Clear, Vivid Prose. If you are not adept with imagery, you can write an excellent
essay without it, but it's not easy. The application essay lends
itself to imagery since the entire essay requires your experiences
as supporting details. Appeal to the five senses of the admissions
officers.
Spend the Most Time on your Introduction. Expect admissions officers to spend
1-2 minutes reading your essay. You must use your introduction
to grab their interest from the beginning. You might even consider
completely changing your introduction after writing your body
paragraphs.
Don't Summarize in your Introduction. Ask yourself why a reader would
want to read your entire essay after reading your introduction.
If you summarize, the admissions officer need not read the rest
of your essay.
Create Mystery or Intrigue in your Introduction. It is not necessary
or recommended that your first sentence give
away the subject matter. Raise questions in the minds of the admissions
officers to force them to read on. Appeal to their emotions to
make them relate to your subject matter.
Body Paragraphs Must Relate to Introduction. Your introduction can be original,
but cannot be silly. The paragraphs that follow must relate to your introduction.
Use Transition. Applicants continue to ignore transition to their own detriment.
You must use transition within paragraphs and especially between
paragraphs to preserve the logical flow of your essay. Transition
is not limited to phrases like "as a result, in addition,
while . . . , since . . . , etc." but includes repeating
key words and progressing the idea. Transition provides the intellectual
architecture to argument building.
Conclusions are Crucial. The
conclusion is your last chance to persuade the reader or impress
upon them your qualifications. In the conclusion, avoid summary
since the essay is rather short to begin with; the reader should not
need to be reminded of what you wrote 300 words before. Also do
not use stock phrases like "in conclusion, in summary, to
conclude, etc." You should consider the following conclusions:
Expand upon the broader implications of your discussion.
Consider linking your conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance by reiterating introductory
phrases.
Redefine a term used previously in your body paragraphs.
End with a famous quote that is relevant to your argument.
Do not try to do this, as this approach is overdone. This should come naturally.
Frame your discussion within a larger context or show that your topic has widespread appeal.
Remember, your essay need not be so tidy that you can answer why your little sister died or why people
starve in Africa; you are not writing a "sit-com," but should forge some attempt at closure.
