By: Al Brouillard Copyright 2003-2007.
Deciding what to write is the most important rung of the whole essay writing ladder. The most common mistake made by applicants is trying to include all sorts of wild ideas into their essays, without proper fore-thought and effort in the selection of key points.
Thus, what starts out as an essay on your role model, quickly turns into an in-depth account of your personal likes, strengths, phobias, and all aspects of the eating habits of your pet
rabbit!
In other words, you stray - far and wide - from your intended object when you don't prepare well.
While you compose your thoughts, don't forget the real purpose of this essay-writing exercise! This essay must divulge everything about the personality of this writer, you. Yet, it should not put the admissions officer to sleep. Don't forget to mention all the details, facts, and strong points that you consider important in affecting their decision regarding your admission.
All applicants seem to forget that the admissions officer is interested in learning about various issues, your views about these issues, and how well you express these views, in addition to the information about you.
This better positions him to decide whether or not to offer you admission. The issues on which your essay is based may range from philosophical, to political, to the scientific, to space exploration, or the exploitation of the rainforests, drugs, poverty and so on.
Your emphasis must be on the presentation of the topic in an unparalleled and thought provoking manner. You want the admissions officer to give sufficient consideration to the essay as well as the writer.
In general, your essay should be composed of three sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. If you don't know how these sections are constructed, you shouldn't be applying to college. So, we'll get right to them.
Introduction:
The usual summary of all the circumstances mentioned in the body of your essay is not a great beginning. It affords the reader an opportunity to suspend reading after the introduction since the essence is already presented.
Applicants can stimulate more interest from the reader by introducing intrigue and appealing to the emotions of the reader from the very start of their essay.
The introduction must be motive enough for the reader to want to finish the entire essay. An astounding detail, humorous anecdote, or a simple question - will all move the admissions officer to continue reading.
Body:
The essay must have flow. That is, all concepts and thoughts should be joined and in step. The mere mention of incidents or opinions is not the idea here.
The purpose of your essay is to distinguish how well you can organize and present various thoughts within one topic without the appearance of confusion or sprawl.
Conclusion:
The conclusion should recap the views that you expressed in the body in an affirmative, persuasive, and concise manner. Remember, you shouldn't be altering others' view-points or feelings - you must prove how intact your conviction is.
Please, avoid the use of phrases such as 'in the end', 'to conclude', etc. They are ordinary,
clichéd, and show lack of originality.
One last tip. After you finish your essay, try writing it again. The second time, reverse it; put the end first and the beginning at the end. See if this might make it more
intriguing and interesting.
Above all, this should be a fun exercise. Be
well rested when you start and keep a smile on your face. This will definitely show
through in your finished product.
Grammar Tips & Style Guides
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