Key Takeaways
1. Understand the narrative structure to craft a compelling college essay
A story deserves to be told when something out of the ordinary is happening.
The narrative framework is essential for a successful college essay. It consists of four key elements:
- "The Once": Establish the specific point in time where your narrative is situated
- The Ordinary vs. The Extraordinary: Highlight a unique or unusual event that makes your story worth telling
- Tension and Conflict: Create a context for your story that engages the reader
- The Point: Clearly convey why your story matters and what it reveals about you
A well-crafted narrative should address these elements while maintaining a balance between setup, action, and resolution. Remember that your essay is limited to 250-500 words, so focus on a specific moment or experience rather than trying to cover your entire life story.
2. Choose a topic that showcases your authentic self and fits the essay format
The college essay is not the place to tout one's achievements as much as it is a place to explore one's feelings about the world and how you fit into it.
Topic selection is crucial for creating a memorable essay. Consider the following strategies:
- Reflect on meaningful experiences: Ask yourself probing questions about challenges, discoveries, and personal growth
- Identify conflicts: Look for moments of tension or struggle that reveal your character
- Show, don't tell: Focus on specific stories that demonstrate your qualities rather than listing accomplishments
- Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused topics and find unique angles on common experiences
Remember that seemingly ordinary events can make for compelling essays if they reveal something significant about your character, values, or perspective. The goal is to provide insight into who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
3. Select an appropriate point of view to effectively tell your story
Your essay needs to present your authentic voice.
Point of view shapes how your story is perceived. Consider these factors:
- Person: First-person (I/we) is most common and creates intimacy
- Tense: Past tense for reflection, present tense for immediacy
- Number: Singular (I) or plural (we) depending on the story's focus
Most college essays use first-person singular point of view, as it allows for a personal and direct connection with the reader. However, the key is to maintain consistency and choose the perspective that best serves your narrative.
When crafting dialogue, keep it brief and impactful. Use it to reveal character or advance the plot, not for exposition. Ensure each character has a distinct voice that fits their personality and background.
4. Overcome writing resistance and generate your first draft
Writing is, by its very nature, a difficult experience, one that is laden with challenge for almost all writers, the professionals as well as the novices.
Overcome resistance by adopting these strategies:
- Set a quiet, distraction-free writing environment
- Use freewriting to generate ideas without self-censorship
- Establish a daily writing quota (e.g., 100 words) to build momentum
- Accept that the first draft won't be perfect – focus on getting ideas down
Remember that resistance is normal and can manifest as procrastination or self-doubt. Recognize these feelings and push through them. The goal of the first draft is simply to get your thoughts on paper, not to produce a polished essay.
To stimulate creativity:
- Write your essay as a letter to a friend
- Start in the middle of the action (in media res)
- Experiment with different opening lines or structures
5. Edit your essay for structure, flow, and impact
Vision and execution often fall poles apart—particularly at the start of the writing process. The purpose of writing drafts is to bring vision and execution closer together.
Editing process:
-
Big picture edit:
- Ensure your essay addresses the four narrative elements
- Check for clear conflict and resolution
- Verify that your point comes across effectively
-
Structural edit:
- Organize your essay for maximum impact (e.g., chronological, thematic)
- Balance exposition, action, and reflection
- Use transitions to create smooth flow between ideas
-
Content edit:
- Cut unnecessary details that don't serve the story
- Expand on important moments or insights
- Add sensory details to make your story vivid and engaging
Don't be afraid to make significant changes or even start over if necessary. The editing process often involves multiple drafts, each bringing you closer to your vision.
6. Refine your writing style and tone for maximum effect
The goal of your college essay—like the goal of any piece of writing—is to capture the attention and interest of your reader.
Stylistic considerations:
- Voice: Aim for an authentic, conversational tone that reflects your personality
- Sentence structure: Vary sentence length and structure for rhythm and emphasis
- Word choice: Use strong verbs and specific nouns; avoid clichés and jargon
- Literary devices: Incorporate metaphors, similes, or analogies sparingly to enhance your writing
Tone tips:
- Avoid extremes (overly formal or too casual)
- Steer clear of sarcasm, which can be misinterpreted
- Show humility and self-awareness
- Balance confidence with openness to growth
Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing or unnatural language. Seek feedback from trusted readers to ensure your style and tone are appropriate and effective.
7. Polish your essay and prepare it for submission
Knowing that you've done your all for the piece is the best way to move toward a positive feeling of acceptance around it rather than a dispirited sense of resignation.
Final polish checklist:
- Proofread meticulously for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
- Check word count and adjust if necessary
- Ensure formatting meets application requirements
- Verify that your essay answers the prompt (if applicable)
- Read your essay from the perspective of an admissions officer
Common errors to watch for:
- Misused words (e.g., affect/effect, their/there/they're)
- Inconsistent tense or point of view
- Vague pronouns or references
- Overuse of adverbs or adjectives
Consider having a teacher, counselor, or writing tutor review your final draft. Fresh eyes can catch errors you may have missed and provide valuable feedback on the overall impact of your essay.
Remember that your essay is just one part of your application. It should complement your other materials and provide a unique window into your personality, experiences, and potential contributions to the college community.
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FAQ
What's "Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps" about?
- Purpose of the book: The book is a guide to help high school students craft a compelling and effective college admissions essay. It breaks down the process into ten manageable steps.
- Author's expertise: Written by Alan Gelb, a professional writer and college essay coach, the book draws on his extensive experience in helping students express their authentic voices.
- Focus on narrative: The book emphasizes the importance of storytelling and narrative structure in creating a memorable essay that stands out to admissions officers.
- Practical approach: It provides practical advice, exercises, and examples to guide students through the essay-writing process, from brainstorming to final polish.
Why should I read "Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps"?
- Reduce stress: The book offers a structured approach that can help reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with writing college essays.
- Improve writing skills: By following Gelb's method, students can improve their overall writing skills, which will be beneficial beyond the college application process.
- Stand out in applications: The book provides strategies to help students create essays that differentiate them from other applicants, increasing their chances of admission.
- Gain confidence: With clear steps and examples, students can gain confidence in their ability to write a compelling personal statement.
What are the key takeaways of "Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps"?
- Ownership of the essay: Students must take full ownership of their essays, ensuring their authentic voice shines through.
- Importance of narrative: Understanding and utilizing narrative structure is crucial for crafting an engaging and memorable essay.
- Process over perfection: Writing is a process that involves multiple drafts and revisions; perfection is not the goal, but improvement is.
- Conflict and resolution: A strong essay often revolves around a central conflict and its resolution, providing insight into the student's character and growth.
What is Alan Gelb's 10-step approach to writing a college essay?
- Step 1 - Understanding the Narrative: Learn the elements of a well-constructed narrative, including conflict, resolution, and the point of the story.
- Step 2 - Finding Your Topic: Discover strategies for uncovering a topic that allows the student's authentic self to shine through.
- Step 3 - Point of View: Decide on the narrative perspective, typically first-person, to create a personal and engaging essay.
- Steps 4 to 10: These steps guide students through drafting, editing, and polishing their essays, focusing on structure, tone, and style.
How does Alan Gelb suggest students find their essay topic?
- Ask probing questions: Gelb provides a list of questions to help students reflect on their experiences and identify potential essay topics.
- Look for conflict: A good topic often involves a personal conflict or challenge that the student has faced and learned from.
- Consider unique experiences: Students should think about moments that have significantly impacted their lives or changed their perspectives.
- Avoid clichés: While common topics can be used, students should strive to present them in a unique and personal way.
What are some common mistakes students make in their college essays, according to Alan Gelb?
- Predictability: Essays that follow a formulaic approach or rely on clichés fail to capture the reader's interest.
- Over-sentimentality: Essays that are overly emotional or maudlin can come across as insincere or manipulative.
- Lack of focus: Essays that wander without a clear point or structure can confuse and disengage the reader.
- Self-promotion: Essays that focus too much on achievements rather than personal growth and reflection can seem boastful.
What are the best quotes from "Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps" and what do they mean?
- "Writing is all about making choices." This emphasizes the importance of deliberate decision-making in crafting an essay, from topic selection to word choice.
- "Your essay needs to present your authentic voice." Gelb stresses that the essay should reflect the student's true self, not what they think admissions officers want to hear.
- "The essay is your 'interview.'" With traditional interviews becoming less common, the essay serves as a primary way for students to convey their personality and character.
- "The Point makes it clear why the reader should have bothered to spend time with the narrative altogether." This highlights the necessity of having a clear purpose or message in the essay.
How does Alan Gelb recommend students handle the editing process?
- Read aloud: Gelb suggests reading the essay out loud to catch issues with rhythm, tone, and clarity that might be missed when reading silently.
- Seek feedback: Students should get input from trusted readers but remain open to constructive criticism without becoming defensive.
- Focus on structure: Ensure the essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a logical flow and progression of ideas.
- Polish for precision: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and word choice to ensure the essay is polished and professional.
What role does conflict play in a college essay, according to Alan Gelb?
- Central to narrative: Conflict is a key element of storytelling, driving the narrative and engaging the reader.
- Reveals character: How a student handles conflict can reveal important aspects of their character, such as resilience, creativity, and growth.
- Provides resolution: A well-resolved conflict can demonstrate the student's ability to learn from experiences and overcome challenges.
- Adds depth: Including conflict adds depth and complexity to the essay, making it more compelling and memorable.
How can students ensure their essay reflects their authentic voice?
- Write honestly: Students should write truthfully about their experiences and feelings, avoiding the temptation to embellish or fabricate.
- Use personal language: The essay should sound like the student, using language and expressions that are natural to them.
- Avoid over-editing: While editing is important, students should be careful not to edit out their unique voice in the pursuit of perfection.
- Focus on self-reflection: The essay should include personal insights and reflections that provide a window into the student's personality and values.
What advice does Alan Gelb give for overcoming writer's block?
- Freewriting: Gelb recommends freewriting as a way to overcome resistance and generate ideas without self-censorship.
- Set quotas: Establishing a daily word count goal can help maintain momentum and prevent procrastination.
- Break tasks into steps: Following the 10-step process can make the task feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
- Stay disciplined: Gelb emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and persistence in pushing through writer's block.
How does "Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps" address the importance of self-editing?
- Ownership of work: Gelb stresses that students must take ownership of their essays, ensuring their voice and perspective are clear.
- Iterative process: Self-editing is an ongoing process that involves multiple drafts and revisions to refine the essay.
- Attention to detail: Students should focus on grammar, punctuation, and word choice to ensure clarity and professionalism.
- Seek balance: While self-editing is crucial, students should also know when to stop and accept that their essay is complete.
Review Summary
Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps receives mixed reviews. Some readers find it helpful, praising its organization and practical advice for crafting personal narratives. Others criticize it as repetitive and overly long. The book's strengths include its focus on finding a central idea, grammar tips, and sample essays. However, some reviewers feel the examples are juvenile or basic. While some find it valuable for college applications, others suggest it's more useful as a general writing guide. Overall, opinions vary on its effectiveness for students preparing college essays.
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