<p>“Throughout my entire life, I’ve only lived in two different cities.”</p>
<p>I’m also wondering how I could make it sound better, since it’s the opening of one of my supplements. Thanks!</p>
<p>“I’ve lived in two cities.” The rest is redundant.</p>
<p>I see why you’d say that but since it’s the first sentence, I don’t want it to be as blunt. Would it be incorrect to say what I had before?</p>
<p>Your “only” is misplaced. It modifies “two” not “lived.” Move it to before “two.” Omit the word “different.” Unnecessary. “In my whole life” is less cumbersome than “throughout my entire life.”</p>
<p>Regardless, it doesn’t seem like a terribly compelling opening. It might be more interesting if you started out with details about the cities.</p>
<p>Thank you! and I know it sounds lame on its own, but it’s a lot more interesting in context. My essay is about my experiences as an immigrant and the culture differences in America. The rest of the opening sentence compares the 2 cities.</p>
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<p>Your solution to “bluntness” in the opening sentence is to be wordy and redundant in the opening sentence? </p>
<p>A better solution would be to find a “nonblunt”, nonredundant way to begin. Perhaps: I have lived in just two cities.</p>
<p>“I have lived in only two cities.”</p>
<p>
[quote]
My essay is about my experiences as an immigrant and the culture differences in America.
[quote]
</p>
<p>Your crucial first sentence should involve this.</p>
<p>Thanks, but that’s not the entire sentence. There’s a clause that elaborates more after the first one.</p>
<p>There is excellent advice here:</p>
<p>[University</a> of Virginia Piece on College Essays | Fredrik deBoer](<a href=“http://fredrikdeboer.com/2012/07/25/university-of-virginia-piece-on-college-essays/]University”>http://fredrikdeboer.com/2012/07/25/university-of-virginia-piece-on-college-essays/)</p>
<p>I like the suggestion “I have lived in just two cities; (rest of your clause)”</p>