Post on 21-Mar-2017
How to Write a Short Essay for
College Applica7ons
Essay Hell’s Tips and Advice for Cra6ing Essays Under 400 words
Wri7ng Something Short
Can Be Harder Than Wri7ng Something
Long.
The trick is to focus what you have to say.
Most supplemental essays required by colleges are short.
Most are between 50 and 400 words: about one or two paragraphs
The University of California changed its required admissions essays
to four, short essays (each less than 350 words)
Read the prompt (the ques7on) closely.
Prompts tell you exactly what they want to learn in your essay.
O6en, it’s more than one thing.
Start your essay with a specific example of the main point you want
to make in your essay.
Don’t start with a sweeping, open-‐ended, broad general statement.
Sample Prompt for Short Essay: Tell about a talent you have.
Do this: In the middle of Shubert’s Concerto No. 4, I glanced out at the audience and saw their concern that I might miss a note. I took a deep breath, spread my fingers over the keys and dove back into the piece with renewed intensity. Not this: I have always loved playing the piano and seemed to have a gi6 for it at an early age. My favorite part is playing recitals and I have won many awards for my performances.
It’s best to start with a specific example of your point so you can “show” the reader
instead of just “tell” the reader.
Just SHOW one piece of a moment or experience...
… instead of TELLING everything about it at once.
AYer star7ng with one specific example or “7me” that illustrates your main point, then go on to explain what it meant to you.
This approach works for all essays:
Prompts such as: • Describe your favorite subject.
• Tell us why you are a fit for our school.
• What is the one thing that sets you apart from other candidates?
• Write about your greatest passion.
• Share a 7me that you faced a problem.
• Talk about one of your extra-‐curricular ac7vi7es or interests.
Brainstorm Your Ideas First
Then Narrow Them Down By Picking One Specific Example
Describe the moment, incident, experience or “Sme” in a couple sentences.
The Example Will Be Your Introduc7on
Use the Rest of Your Essay to Explain the
Meaning of that Example
• Describe the broader context or background • Explain how you felt and what you did • Directly answer the quesSon in the prompt • Include something you learned • Share why you believe it maVered or had value
Make Only One Main Point in Your Short Essay
• Don’t try to cram in too much informaSon
• Only include ideas that support the one point
• Trust that one point answers the quesSon
Concluding
• End on a broad note • Reflect on how you will apply what you learned to your future goals
• You don’t need a formal summary paragraph • Go out posiSve and forward-‐looking
Go Ahead and Write It Long
Then Go Back and Trim It Under the Word Count
Proof It Closely and
Make Sure It Answers the Prompt
Congratula7ons! You now know the Big Secret
to wriSng effecSve short essays: Start with a Specific Example of your main point!
GOOD LUCK!
For More Wri7ng Tips and Advice
on College Applica7on Essays
Click Below to Visit:
www.EssayHell.com