Statement Writing Tips that May Suprise You
There are numerous sites online giving tips about the college application essay. The common denominator of some of these tips include expressing yourself and writing about your passion. There are sites that claim that a college entrance essay is just like your regular essay. But you might be surprised that the things mentioned above are not really the best tips if you want to sell yourself to the admissions panel. Figures of Speech Served Fresh shares some tips that might surprise you.
Write about your hook over your passion
Some universities are looking for students who can contribute something to the community. This is why if you do have a special talent or skill, write about it.
While the top schools look for good writing, they’re more interested in character. Your Board scores will tell them how smart you are, and your grades let them know you study hard. Admissions officers also look for a student who will add something to the campus. Ask them about the most recent crop of first-year students, and you’ll see what I mean: Our class includes a published novelist, an Olympic luger, and an artist who made a monumental sculpture out of Gummi Bears. That’s what I mean by hook.
Your passions are interesting subjects to write about. But if you got some interesting hooks, it is better that you write about them.
Don’t just express yourself in statement writing
Some claim that expressing what you feel in your essay is an excellent move. But actually it is not. When writing an essay, you have to use not just your emotion but also your reason. You should write with passion but also with control.
A college essay is an act of persuasion. Your job is to talk the admissions office into accepting you. So the essay isn’t your opportunity to get feelings off your chest, or amuse yourself, or imitate your favorite writer. Your teachers have spent far too much time telling you to express yourself.
If you can’t control your emotion, you might end up ranting, moralizing, or sensationalizing things.
Write a story, not just a regular essay
A regular essay can be so boring. Because of this, write a narrative of yourself. Tell a story.
The college essay is mislabeled. It’s really a story. It should have a main character (you, presumably), a setting, some sort of conflict, and suspense.
Writing in a narrative style can grab the attention of the admissions panel. This site has an excellent explanation regarding what comprises a narrative writing style.
A narrative essay usually tells a story and reflects the personal perspective of the author. It attempts to present ideas and topics via story-telling, mindful to expound on the main points of the article through the story itself.
When you choose a topic, choose a skill or a talent unique to you. Another important thing to remember is to be conscious of how you express yourself. And lastly, tell an engaging story.