A college essay has the potential to shape the outcome of your application. It must be an authentic reflection of your experiences and aspirations, capturing the reader’s attention. We understand that the overwhelming nature of essay writing leads students to procrastinate and feel that they have no clarity regarding where to begin. Thus, we have developed a process-based approach, breaking the essay writing process into manageable chunks, which enables the students to focus on one aspect at a time. This further empowers students to harness their innate storytelling abilities, instills confidence and teaches them to trust the process and their own abilities. Our belief is that through this method, each student can unlock their full potential and produce their most exceptional essay.
Broader Outline
Breaking down into smaller pieces
Ideation or Brainstorming
- By answering the thought-provoking questions on a worksheet provided, you will uncover a treasure trove of potential essay topics that truly resonate with your unique journey.
- We will then work on a guided Value Scan. This process encourages you to reflect upon the values that hold importance in your life. By delving into these core values, we can unearth powerful themes and ideas that will infuse your essay with depth and authenticity.
- Understanding the audience is another crucial step in our essay-crafting journey. This knowledge will enable us to tailor your writing to capture their attention and connect with them on a deeper level.
- It is equally important to comprehend the values of the intended audience. By immersing ourselves in their perspective, we can ensure that your essay also resonates with the vision of the institution. This alignment fosters a strong connection between your essay and the reader.
Organization
- In continuation of our journey, we will compile all the valuable insights gathered during the Ideation phase and carefully review them.
- Through this review, we will filter out any values that do not present you in the most favourable light.
- Furthermore, we will critically assess the values identified to ensure that they possess the power to differentiate you from the competition.
- At this stage, with a refined set of values and experiences, we will be able to finalize an essay topic that captures the essence of your story. We will carefully consider the various angles and possibilities, ensuring that the chosen topic encapsulates your unique journey.
- We will then create an outline for a rough draft. This will serve as a roadmap, guiding you through the writing process and ensuring that your ideas flow seamlessly.
Let the draft marinate
By now, we have gathered all the ingredients needed to make a flavorful dish. While these ingredients individually hold potential, it is through the process of marination that their flavors will truly come alive. We need to give time for marination. Similiarly , our drafts deserve time and attention.
As the sands of time trickle down, new ideas will sprout, thoughts will evolve, and the once-familiar words will transform into a more captivating draft. For this, we should start early so that we can take breaks to revisit our draft. Do not despair if moments of discouragement come knocking at your writer’s door. These are ephemeral fragments of the creative process. Embrace them, for they shall pass, leaving behind a resplendent essay.
Editing – George Orwell’s six rules of editing
- Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figures of speech that you are used to seeing in print
Avoid using clichés in your writing. They tend to be dull and can cause the reader to lose interest. Additionally, clichés are often devoid of meaning, such as the overused phrase “it is what it is.” - Never use a long word where a short one will do
Instead of saying “I will utilize this information,” you can convey the same message more effectively by saying “I will use this information.” By choosing the shorter word “use,” you maintain clarity and avoid unnecessary complexity. - If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out
Due to the limited attention spans of individuals, it is crucial to avoid writing long-winded and meandering sentences that contain unnecessary words. - Never use the passive where you can use the active
To illustrate with an example
Passive Voice: “The pudding was baked by Mary.”
Active Voice: “Mary baked the pudding.”
By using active voice, you bring clarity to your writing, highlight the subject responsible for the action, and make your sentences more dynamic and engaging for the reader. - Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent
Non-Compliant: “I experienced a sudden bout of malaise after dining at the exotic bistro.”
Compliant: “I felt unexpectedly unwell after dining at the exotic restaurant.”
By opting for everyday English equivalents, you enhance the clarity and comprehensibility of your writing, ensuring that your ideas are effectively communicated to a broader readership. - Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous