<p>There are specific techniques which can really help. Get a book or two and see how to get started and then complete the essay. Some hints:</p>
<p>Show, don’t tell… Now that’s easy to say, but what the heck does it mean? It mean you must tell a visual (or other sensory) story. What is the most visual medium that entertains you and draws you into characters? Movies… the ultimate “show, don’t tell” example. Does that mean your essay needs to be a movie script? Not exactly, but it should have some of the elements of a script. You want the audience (the reader) to come away from the essay having felt like they have gotten to know you better (and like what they see).</p>
<p>So what are these elements? The first is character development. That is why so many essay prompts ask you to describe an obstacle or a “bump in the road” or a problem you had to overcome. They don’t care what that problem was… they just want to see the character development, making you a stronger, wiser character. So give them that. SHOW (via “scenes” in which you DESCRIBE the situation and environment) your change from the first of the essay to the last paragraph, which DESCRIBES a scene that SHOWS a stronger you.</p>
<p>There are many other tricks of the trade that movies use to make the characters powerful and memorable.</p>
<p>Now for topics: If you want a personal, powerful, memorable essay, it has to come from one of your personal, powerful memories. Take some time to think back on your life and see which memories pop to the fore. Good memories? Bad memories? If you can find those moments that tested you or led to a stronger, better you, then that will be your topic. You might think these would be somewhat tame memories. After all, you didn’t find a cure for cancer or solve world hunger. But remember, the SPECIFIC TOPIC DOESN’T MATTER. It just needs to SHOW your transition - your story arc - your character development.</p>
<p>Next post will have an example of what I’m talking about, in case you haven’t seen this from me before.</p>
<p>–Robert Cronk, author of Concise Advice: Jump-Starting Your College Admissions Essays (Second Edition)</p>