Knowing how to write the perfect essay is an extremely important skill and one that I am still working on. This recipe has helped me to write essays that win contests or allow me to get accepted into colleges! Modify this recipe to fit to your needs and time line.
Preparation Time: 30 mins Write Time: 3 hrs
Ingredients Directions
- Paper (2)
- Pencil (1)
- Computer (1)
- Patients (3 cup)
- Creativity (3 cup)
- Editors (2-3)
- A story (1)
- A prompt (1)
- Organization (2 cup)
- Humor (Dash)
- Honesty (4 cup)
- A writer (1)
- Identify the prompt and word limit of the essay.
- Brainstorms stories, quotes, experiences, that you could use to answer the prompt in a creative way.
- Using a sheet of paper and pencil, break down the prompt and begin to write down answers to those portions. This doesn’t have to look pretty, this is just organizing your thoughts.
- Choose one story, experience, or metaphor that you can use to answer the prompt. This could be a childhood memory, a challenge you went through, an adventure you took, really anything. You will probably use this story as your intro hook and tie back into it throughout your essay.
- Once brainstorming is done, use another sheet of paper to make a basic outline for your essay. Include your introduction idea, the body ideas, and your conclusion thoughts.
- Open up your computer an access the program you will be using to write you essay.
- Start writing. This is not your final draft so write as what you are thinking, it doesn’t have to be perfect yet. Use your outline, brainstorm, your story, and the prompt to carry your writing.
- Reread your writing out loud to fix grammar errors and clean up your writing.
- Ask your editors to read your essay with you so that they can offer suggestions and catch errors you may have missed. This step is extremely important and may be what separates your writing from okay to amazing.
- Revise your essay again and make sure it is within the word limit.
- Attach your essay to your application and Vuala! You have written an essay that you should be proud of.
Tips
Actually brainstorm, get paper and break down the prompt. This part is so important in having a cohesive and engaging essay.
Read your writing out loud when revising! It will help your writing sound more natural.
If at any point in your writing you get stuck and get writer’s block, you can step back for a minute. If you need some inspiration, ask friends, family, or teachers for help. Everyone wants you to do well so they will probably be willing to help.
Do you have any tips or steps you use for essay writing? Please comment what they are below!
College Crazies 