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10 Ways To Improve Your Essay This article was originally written for college applicants, however the writing tips are valuable for other types of writing as well. Be Real
Present an honest portrayal of who you are. While it would be foolish to use your essay to expose all of your particular flaws and foibles, it is equally foolish to cloak your individuality by trying to come across like someone you are not. The admissions committee is looking for real people, not superheroes. Get To Know The Schools To Which You Are Applying
The admissions committee wants to know that your desire to attend their particular school is a well thought out, mature decision. The only way to reflect such thoughtfulness and maturity is to truly possess it. Read the school catalog, visit their website, contact the head of your intended program, and email current students if at all possible. Ask questions, listen, observe, and learn everything that you can about your desired program or school. Write About Something That Is Meaningful Whether your essay revolves around a simple memory or a life-changing event is not important. What is important is that you choose a topic that is personally meaningful. If you can write about the topic with passion and flair, you are well on your way to creating an effective essay. Make It Relevant
Whatever topic you choose, you must be able to tie it in to the implicit and explicit questions that lie before you. For more about implicit and explicit question go back and read the “Getting To Know Yourself” page. Stay Positive
“You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” Use the personal statement to highlight your strengths and unique character rather than as a place to preach, complain, or make excuses. The personal statement is your chance to sweeten up your application, so don’t blow it by dousing it with vinegar-laden prose. Evaluate, Don’t Regurgitate
Your essay will be far more engaging if it is reflective and thoughtful, than if it is written like an impersonal memorandum. For example: if you want to discuss the summer that you learned to scuba dive, don’t just offer a summary of events; reflect on the experience. What did you learn? How did you grow? How does the experience relate to your individuality? First Impressions Count
If you can write an engaging introduction you have already won half the battle to creating an effective essay. Peak the readers interest, and you are guaranteed to have your whole essay read, rather than having it tossed aside and forgotten. Your introduction must be vivid, creative, action oriented, and not give away the “plot.” Keep A Narrow Focus
In some ways your personal statement is nothing more than a highly personable ad. Like an ad, it must be brief, concise, and hard-hitting. The only way to achieve this type of impact is to remain narrow in your focus. Think of the last time that you stayed up watching late night TV, and a bright eyed, out of work, actor came on to tell you of the miracle exercise machine that he has just discovered. You probably groaned and changed the channel. Why? Because infomercials are incredibly boring. They are much too long, and attempt to provide you with far more information than you ever wanted to know about ab machines, facial creams, or whatever product is being sold. Now, think of the last amusing commercial that you watched. Before you even had a chance to groan, you were taken in by the expertly crafted marketing piece that unfolded before you. Rather than attempt to tell you every detail about a product, the successful commercial engaged you with a brief and entertaining piece that left you feeling good about what they were selling. Stay focused and you will have far more impact than your long-winded competitors. Get Inspired
Reading other’s successful essays is an excellent way to get your creative juices flowing. The point here is to explore the variety of styles, topics, and writing abilities reflected in college application essays. When reading other’s essays ask yourself what you like and dislike about their work. In doing so you are likely to gain more perspective and understanding about how you might wish to approach your essay. Reading the works of other students should serve as an inspiration to your own writing, not as a shortcut to plagiarism. Plan Ahead
Getting into the college of your dreams requires that you plan ahead in all that you do, including the writing of your admissions essay. You have spent 12 or more years preparing yourself for admission into your dream college. Your parents have also invested in your education with years of financial support for school supplies, extra-curricular activities, and homework help. It’s been a long road, but you’re not done yet. Now it’s time to invest in your application essay. Before you even begin writing your essay you should take the time to get to know yourself, and the school(s) to which you are applying. Once you have done that you should write your first rough draft. Sleep on it for a few days, revise it, then submit it to an impartial party for review. Your friends and family may be hesitant to offer you an honest critique, or may not know what makes a good application essay, so it is best to present your essay to a school counselor, or professional service like EssayWorks. Once you receive the feedback that you need, you will need to revise your essay one last time. Need professional writing? Inquire about DivaDesignWorld's affordable copywriting services.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of female business owners throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest.
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