<p>One thing I've been wondering about lately is whether these college essays have to include a bulky story. Most of the sample essays I've read are made up of 3/4 story and about 1/4 of it is an explanation of what it actually means. Is this what the adcoms are actually looking for? Also, should I write the essay as if I were conversing with the reader of my essay? Now, I do intend to write a short anecdote of mine but I also want to spend most of the essay explaining who I am and what it means to me. So, just wondering if this is advisable.</p>
<p>Bump, anyone?</p>
<p>Most essays include a story because that is a useful tool for letting the reader get to know you and is more interesting to read than a teenage kid musing about his/her life. Of course, for it to be a good essay, the analysis and reflection should be seamlessly integrated into the story (if it's a long story). If they story is just an introduction, then that's fine too.</p>
<p>As to your question about conversing with the reader that depends on what tone and what topic your essay is about. Is your essay more personal, about a friend or a parent or a non-academic experience? Go ahead and write conversationally if that's what you are more comfortable about. If your essay is on a more formal topic your tone should also be more formal.</p>
<p>As a closing note, I think it's very hard to explain who you are to someone without using stories and anecdotes without coming off as pretentious or arrogant. If part of your identity is being involved in extracurricular X, then IMO it's better to write an anecdote about your involvement in X that illustrates your devotion to it than to write "I was very involved and took a leadership role in X."</p>
<p>My english teacher keeps talking about this too. She says "show not tell" to convey the ideas. But as far as I can tell, most of the stories always just lead up to the actual point. Then it leaves about a quarter of the essay to actually explain what its talking about.</p>