How to Write an Effective College Essay
Essay Topic:
Colleges/universities may give you some choice: person, event, book, activity, hobby, trip, job which affected you. These are great things to get your mind going about possible topics. Change and your ability to change and grow is usually a great thing to analyze and might lead you to a topic.....your topic choice should show you as a growing, dynamic person. If you are required to address one of the college=s assigned questions: 1) do your research -- go to the library, use the Internet, ask others what they know about the topic. 2) organize your thoughts, opinions before you start. 3) draft an outline of points you want to cover and list some supporting statements. 4) have an idea of what your conclusion will be. If you are asked to speak about goals for college or career: 1) be sure you=ve done some research about the field. 2) inform the reader how you became interested in the field. 3) be certain the school offers a program in your desired field, or be prepared to explain why the school is still a good fit for you. 4) be aware of the strengths of the school=s program and their placement rate for graduates interested in the field.
Tips:
1) Grab your reader in the first paragraph. Be poetic, dramatic, sly, humorous -- don=t be boring. 2) Relate personal experiences if they are appropriate in the essay, use vivid examples, descriptions, quotations, bring your essay to life. 3) If the essay assignment requires, take a stand on an issue. Don=t waffle, unless you are truly unsure about an issue. Admission officers are looking for thoughtful argument & organization Your beliefs don=t need to be the same as the reader. Don=t fear that you will offend someone. 4) Develop your essay into logical blocks of information, and move your reader progressively through your writing. In many essays, you=ll want to conclude with an ending......wrap up your thoughts and tell us where you=ve taken us and what you want us to know. Some essay are more clever and seem to take you back to the beginning. Consider what works best for your essay. 5) Ask yourself: ADid I answer the question asked of me?@ AIs this essay enjoyable to read?@ Do some revising........get feedback from others. 6) Check for spelling, grammar, transitions, clarity of thought. 7) Put essay aside. Reread and edit: then - 1) polish or 2) try rewriting for a more effective essay 8) Use a computer and select a font that is easy to read.
Brian Peterson, Hamline University 2003