Introducing Kai!
Your College Confidential guide bot.
Kai can provide tips and support as you research and apply to colleges, and explore majors and careers.
Spain? Italy? Hawaii? Where do you want to travel WHILE getting college credit? REGISTER NOW for a virtual College Fair on Sept. 29!
PARENTS4PARENTS: AfroPuffMom is the mother of two boys, a college junior and a high school junior. She has extensive experience reviewing applications for high-achieving, first-generation students. ASK HER ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our September Checklist for HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
Afraid that my writing style is too abstract?
janeaustennerd
5 replies1 threads New Member
Hi everyone,
I have always loved writing. It has always been a channel for me to authentically express myself, to explore new ideas, and to exercise my creativity. However, my style of writing has always been quite flowery and abstract. I have a naturally non-linear writing style that flows freely, like a stream of consciousness, but can sometimes be difficult to understand. My mind always spins with metaphors and imagery, and conveying these thoughts through writing has always been a joy to me. I wish to express myself fully and authentically in my college essay, but I fear that colleges will find my writing style too pretentious, decked out in "purple prose". I have a a free-flowing writing style that bleeds with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. While many people might interpret my writing as trying too hard to be creative, it comes freely and naturally to me. I wish I could simply allow my thoughts to expand without worry, to unleash my insecurities and to genuinely express myself through my words. However, at the same time, because my writing is deeply personal and filled with subjective observations and metaphors, I feel that colleges may not understand the ideas I am trying to convey. I think (as of now), that I will write an essay about a quote that my elementary grade teacher told me that profoundly impacted my perspective in life, and I want to allow it to take form in my thoughts, flowing wildly without rule or convention. I care so much about expressing myself in the truest way, but my naturally poetic thought process can come across as a puzzle sometimes, filled with non-linear thoughts and abstract observations.
It's as if I am molding a sculpture of my thoughts, shaping each idea and nuance into my own unique sculpture. It expresses who I am, holding my fears, dreams, and hopes. But to others, it comes across as confusing, pretentious and like a blob of clay, with no meaning or substance.
Should I allow my thoughts to freely wander, abstractly, bringing my perspectives onto the page? Or should I try to keep my style linear and traditional? I want to express myself in a unique and thoughtful way, but I don't want to come across as pretentious or confusing.
Thanks so much for your help!
22 replies I have always loved writing. It has always been a channel for me to authentically express myself, to explore new ideas, and to exercise my creativity. However, my style of writing has always been quite flowery and abstract. I have a naturally non-linear writing style that flows freely, like a stream of consciousness, but can sometimes be difficult to understand. My mind always spins with metaphors and imagery, and conveying these thoughts through writing has always been a joy to me. I wish to express myself fully and authentically in my college essay, but I fear that colleges will find my writing style too pretentious, decked out in "purple prose". I have a a free-flowing writing style that bleeds with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. While many people might interpret my writing as trying too hard to be creative, it comes freely and naturally to me. I wish I could simply allow my thoughts to expand without worry, to unleash my insecurities and to genuinely express myself through my words. However, at the same time, because my writing is deeply personal and filled with subjective observations and metaphors, I feel that colleges may not understand the ideas I am trying to convey. I think (as of now), that I will write an essay about a quote that my elementary grade teacher told me that profoundly impacted my perspective in life, and I want to allow it to take form in my thoughts, flowing wildly without rule or convention. I care so much about expressing myself in the truest way, but my naturally poetic thought process can come across as a puzzle sometimes, filled with non-linear thoughts and abstract observations.
It's as if I am molding a sculpture of my thoughts, shaping each idea and nuance into my own unique sculpture. It expresses who I am, holding my fears, dreams, and hopes. But to others, it comes across as confusing, pretentious and like a blob of clay, with no meaning or substance.
Should I allow my thoughts to freely wander, abstractly, bringing my perspectives onto the page? Or should I try to keep my style linear and traditional? I want to express myself in a unique and thoughtful way, but I don't want to come across as pretentious or confusing.
Thanks so much for your help!
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Afraid that my writing style is too abstract?
Secondly although you personally admire and appreciate your writing style, IMHO, you must ask yourself, if others can not understand what I am trying to say, is it truly effective? The purpose of writing is to be able to convey thoughts to others.
At the very least, work with a good English teacher on your essay and maybe you can shape your stye into an essay that would be a successful for a college application. Good luck!
I agree with EA that there's writing for yourself and then writing for others. (And it's a hot argument topic among writer friends.) I believe all your college app/supp writing is for the reader. The ability to self edit is critical. And concise writing, when needed, is a life skill.
We have no idea where you want to study or what.
My current piece is 580 words, so although the length isn't the issue, it is still filled with many flowery words and metaphors. Of course, I don't want admissions to think of myself as pretentious and confusing, so I will try to edit it into a more concise and straightforward style. Although nobody has ever described my writing as pretentious or confusing, I fear that they will due to its very poetic style.
I've always written for myself and found my own writing beautiful and meaningful because it personally resonates me. Perhaps writing for others is a skill that I still need to develop. I will reach out to my English teacher and try to gain perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of my current essay. My school is also offering a college essay workshop, so I might participate in that too.
Choose your words carefully, pay attention to meaning, and be very concise. Focus on writing your essay for the reader.
Honestly, while writing these posts I felt extremely tired and confused. I am currently dealing with insecurities about myself, about my personality, my purpose in life, and even my writing style itself. Maybe I shouldn't have started this thread in such a negative mental state.
Others have described my writing style as eloquent, thoughtful, and emotional. When writing essays for school, my English teachers have told me that I have potential, and that my thoughts are insightful and easy to understand, although I can be overly detailed and rambley at times. For the most part, I received As and Bs in my AP English essays, and a 5 on the AP English Language exam. I was under the impression that I had a good command of the English language, and that I had the ability to express my thoughts in a unique and original way.
Thank you for your thoughts, anyway. I appreciate your perspective; I am still on my journey of self-discovery and growth as a writer, and perhaps this is one of the stepping stones in the process.
It is hard to say whether your writing style is problematic without seeing a sample, because we cannot know without seeing your essay whether it in fact is pretentious, wordy, etc. If you would like to send me an excerpt (or the whole thing) in a message, I'll be happy to take a look and let you know if I find your writing style problematic.
Thank you so much for your offer. Because I'm new to this website, I don't have enough posts to send you a private message. Could you send me a message first?
But now you'll be writing for college app/supps, not your own pleasure.
Before sending any essay to a forum stranger, speak with your teachers.
Your first post isn't that bad, I've seen much worse in terms of flowery and long winded. It seems longer than it is because you have to make sure you've double spaced between paragraphs the way CC's comment box is set up now.
For example, I could take your opening sentences (#1 below) and easily swiften them. I haven't removed any ideas, just words. #2 below is 20% shorter than #1.
#1: I have always loved writing. It has always been a channel for me to authentically express myself, to explore new ideas, and to exercise my creativity. However, my style of writing has always been quite flowery and abstract. I have a naturally non-linear writing style that flows freely, like a stream of consciousness, but can sometimes be difficult to understand. My mind always spins with metaphors and imagery, and conveying these thoughts through writing has always been a joy to me. I wish to express myself fully and authentically in my college essay, but I fear that colleges will find my writing style too pretentious, decked out in "purple prose". I have a a free-flowing writing style that bleeds with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
#2: I have always loved writing. It has been a channel for me to express myself, explore new ideas, and exercise my creativity. However, my style of writing has been flowery and abstract. I have a non-linear style that flows freely, like a stream of consciousness, but can sometimes be difficult to understand. My mind spins with metaphors and imagery. I wish to express myself fully and authentically, but I fear that colleges will find my writing pretentious, decked out in "purple prose". I have a free-flowing writing style that bleeds with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.