<p>If I write a serious, expository response to one of Chicago's essay questions, must it necessarily be in traditional 5-paragraph (opening-body-body-body-conclusion) format? Would even a 4-paragraph version of said format be acceptable?</p>
<p>Traditional 5-paragraph format is never required again. From here on out, write as much as you think you need, in whatever format you feel–to the highest extent of your reasoning–is best and most logical. If that means 4 paragraphs, fine. If it means 1, go. If it means 18… why not?</p>
<p>Ha, I actually just finished my first draft and it wound up at 5 paragraphs but about 1000 words - is that too long?</p>
<p>^No, not necessarily. I hate cliches, but just make sure that “every word counts.”</p>
<p>Also, how important is it to directly answer the question? If I find the topic of one prompt thought-provoking and discuss that theme, do I have to directly cover the specific questions in it? (I am referring to essay option 3.)</p>
<p>Directly answering the question is vastly overrated, as are five-paragraph essays. If my high school English teachers would have seen my UChicago essay (which got me admitted), they would have had kittens.</p>
<p>I feel pretty certain that my UChicago essay is going to keep me out of UChicago. I like the school, but I’m not an overwhelmingly creative or interesting writer.</p>
<p>^Then don’t try to be either of those things. Just write the way you feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>“Traditional 5-paragraph format is never required again.”</p>
<p>Oh, BS. My entire Hum class was about the 5-paragraph essay. Loved the professor’s lectures, had a huge crush on the writing TA, but my gods did I hate those papers… Don’t get me wrong, the core’s great if your writing background’s not strong - but mine was, and their forcing me back into these training-wheels notions of what is good writing completely killed the fantastic personal style I’d developed. It may help most students, but personally I’m a much crappier writer because of UChicago and the 5-paragraph essay.</p>
<p>More confidence in your fantastic personal style may have helped.:)</p>