8 Tips for Common App Essay Writing
Published on: by SupertutorTV
Introduction
In this article, we will discuss 8 tips for writing a successful Common App essay, geared towards college applicants. These tips will help you craft a compelling and unique essay that showcases your personality and values.
Avoid cliches in essay topics
When brainstorming topics for your college essay, it is crucial to avoid cliches. These cliches can include success stories without vulnerability or predictable narratives that lack depth. It is important to find an interesting angle or unique perspective to make your essay stand out. For example, instead of simply discussing an achievement, consider connecting it to larger themes such as racism or bullying. By avoiding cliches, you can create a more engaging and original essay that captures the attention of admissions officers.
Another key factor in creating a compelling college essay is to show your humanity and emotions. Admissions officers are looking for more than just academic achievements; they want to see the person behind the application. By showcasing your emotions, values, and individual voice, you can connect with readers on a personal level. This human element is essential in making your essay memorable and relatable.
In addition to avoiding cliches and showing your humanity, it is important to craft a compelling opening line. This hook should grab the reader's attention and draw them into your essay. By starting strong, you can set the tone for the rest of your writing and make a lasting impression. Overall, by following these tips and infusing your essay with authenticity and emotion, you can create a powerful and impactful college application essay.
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Try it nowShow your humanity and emotions
One of the key objectives of a college essay is to demonstrate your humanity and emotions. Admissions officers are looking for applicants who are not just academically accomplished, but also thoughtful, introspective, and compassionate. By sharing personal stories, reflections, and insights, you can give readers a glimpse into your inner world and showcase the qualities that make you unique.
When writing your essay, consider how you can convey your emotions and values through your words. This can involve discussing pivotal moments in your life, sharing your struggles and triumphs, or expressing your beliefs and convictions. By showing vulnerability and authenticity in your writing, you can create a powerful emotional connection with the reader and make your essay more memorable.
In addition to sharing your emotions, it is important to exhibit a sense of depth and introspection in your essay. By delving into deeper themes and exploring the complexities of your experiences, you can demonstrate maturity and insight. Admissions officers are looking for candidates who can think critically and reflect on their own growth and development. By incorporating these elements into your essay, you can showcase your humanity and emotions in a compelling and impactful way.
Avoid repeating essay topics
One common pitfall that applicants should avoid is repeating essay topics. When crafting multiple essays for college applications, it is important to ensure that each essay offers a unique perspective or insight into who you are as a candidate. Repetition of themes or topics across different essays can make your application seem less diverse and multifaceted.
To prevent repetition, take the time to brainstorm different aspects of your identity, experiences, and interests that you can highlight in each essay. Consider how you can showcase different facets of your personality and achievements in a way that complements each other and provides a holistic view of who you are. By presenting a range of topics and perspectives in your essays, you can demonstrate your versatility and depth as an applicant.
Furthermore, by avoiding repetition in your essays, you can keep the reader engaged and interested in learning more about you. Each essay should offer new insights, anecdotes, or reflections that add to the overall narrative of your application. By carefully planning and crafting each essay to be distinct and impactful, you can create a cohesive and compelling application that highlights your strengths and uniqueness.
Utilize storytelling and specificity
Storytelling is a powerful tool in crafting a compelling college essay. By weaving narratives and anecdotes into your writing, you can create a vivid and engaging portrait of who you are as a person. Stories have the ability to captivate readers, evoke emotions, and convey complex ideas in a relatable manner. When writing your essay, consider how you can incorporate storytelling techniques to make your writing more impactful and memorable.
In addition to storytelling, specificity is key in making your essay stand out. Instead of providing vague or general descriptions, strive to include detailed and specific examples that illustrate your points. By painting a clear picture with vivid details and imagery, you can bring your experiences to life and immerse the reader in your story. Specificity adds depth and authenticity to your writing, making it more compelling and convincing.
Ultimately, by combining storytelling with specificity, you can create a powerful and engaging college essay that showcases your strengths, experiences, and aspirations. By taking the time to craft a narrative that is both compelling and specific, you can make a lasting impression on admissions officers and stand out among other applicants.
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Try it nowBalance reflection, interpretation, and narrative
A well-rounded college essay should strike a balance between reflection, interpretation, and narrative. Reflection involves introspection and analysis of your experiences, while interpretation requires you to make meaning out of those experiences. Narrative, on the other hand, encompasses the storytelling aspect of your essay and helps engage the reader in your story.
When writing your essay, consider how you can incorporate all three elements to create a cohesive and compelling narrative. Begin by sharing a personal story or anecdote that sets the stage for your reflections and interpretations. Then, delve into the deeper meaning behind your experiences and what you have learned from them. By weaving together narrative, reflection, and interpretation, you can provide a rich and nuanced portrait of who you are and what you have to offer.
By maintaining a balance between these three elements, you can create an essay that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Admissions officers are looking for candidates who can articulate their thoughts and feelings in a clear and insightful manner. By combining reflection, interpretation, and narrative in your writing, you can showcase your analytical skills, emotional depth, and storytelling prowess.
Read examples for guidance
Reading examples of successful college essays can provide valuable guidance and inspiration when crafting your own essay. By studying essays that have been effective in the past, you can gain insights into what makes a compelling and impactful essay. Pay attention to the structure, tone, and content of these essays, and consider how you can incorporate similar elements into your own writing.
In addition to seeking out examples online, consider asking for feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers on your essay drafts. Getting different perspectives can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your writing style. By learning from examples and seeking feedback, you can strengthen your essay and make it more compelling and persuasive.
Ultimately, by studying examples and incorporating their successful elements into your own essay, you can enhance the quality and effectiveness of your writing. Drawing inspiration from successful essays can help you develop your unique voice, style, and approach to storytelling, ultimately leading to a stronger and more engaging college application essay.
Craft a compelling opening line
The opening line of your college essay plays a crucial role in capturing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the rest of your writing. A compelling opening line should be engaging, unique, and memorable, drawing the reader in and making them want to continue reading. Consider starting with a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or a vivid description that hooks the reader from the very beginning.
To craft a great opening line, experiment with different ideas and approaches until you find one that resonates with you and effectively introduces your essay's theme or topic. Remember that the opening line is your chance to make a strong first impression and leave a lasting impact on the reader. By taking the time to develop a compelling and attention-grabbing opening line, you can set your essay apart and make it more compelling and engaging.
In addition to the opening line, be sure to maintain a consistent level of interest and engagement throughout your essay. Each paragraph should build on the momentum of the previous one, keeping the reader invested in your story and eager to learn more. By crafting a well-paced and engaging narrative, you can create a powerful and memorable college essay that leaves a lasting impression on admissions officers.
Be authentic and true to yourself
Authenticity is key when it comes to writing a college essay that truly reflects who you are as a person. Admissions officers are looking for applicants who are genuine, sincere, and true to themselves. By staying true to your values, beliefs, and experiences, you can create an essay that is both compelling and authentic.
When writing your essay, focus on sharing your unique perspective, voice, and insights. Avoid trying to conform to a certain mold or write what you think colleges want to hear. Instead, be honest, vulnerable, and open in your writing, sharing personal stories and reflections that showcase the real you. Admissions officers value authenticity and are more likely to be moved by an essay that is heartfelt and genuine.
Remember that your college essay is an opportunity to show admissions officers who you are beyond your grades and test scores. By being authentic and true to yourself in your writing, you can create a powerful and impactful essay that highlights your strengths, values, and aspirations. Embrace your individuality, embrace your uniqueness, and let your true self shine through in your college application essay.
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Try it nowHighlights
- Avoid cliched topics and aim for originality in your essay content
- Show your humanity and personal values in your writing to connect with readers
- Steer clear of repeating the same essay topics in multiple applications
- Create a vivid and specific story to engage your readers
- Maintain a balance between storytelling and reflective analysis in your essay
- Read sample essays to gain insight and inspiration for your own writing
- Capture your reader's attention with a strong opening line to draw them into your story
- Stay authentic and true to yourself in your writing to stand out to admissions committees
FAQ
A: To avoid cliches, try to find a unique angle or perspective on common themes. Look for personal experiences that showcase your individuality.
A: Telling a specific story helps make your writing more engaging and memorable. Specific details create a vivid picture for your reader.
A: A great opening line should grab the reader's attention and set the tone for your essay. Consider starting with a thought-provoking question or a captivating anecdote.
A: To stay authentic, write about topics that genuinely interest you and reflect your true personality. Avoid trying to impress or conform to perceived expectations.
A: Reading examples can provide valuable insights into successful essay strategies and help you understand what resonates with admissions committees.
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