Essay /Ideas/?

[ColumbiaGirl101]

<p>Hi, I know there's a list of people who edit essays, but is anyone good at editing essay topics? I have some ideas but I really need some help making them concrete. If anyone could help and message me that'd be great :D thanks! (Applying ED to Barnard so if you have experience writing essays for all girls colleges that'd be awesome!)</p>

[digmedia]

<p>Here is the key to finding your topic: Close your eyes and let memories flow. What are the things that happened in your life that have the strongest memories, good or bad. How did you change as a result of what happened? A strong personal essay comes from strong memories. And winning essays come from strong memories that led to a new stronger, wiser, more empathetic you. Explore that memory… where were you? Who was with you? Sights, sounds, smells, feelings of the moment are all important.</p>

<p>Now take that MOMENT that is in your memory and write one descriptive paragraph describing that moment. Make your words SHOW the moment. Don’t worry about an essay… you want to put your effort into that one paragraph. Don’t try to explain how you got there or what led up to it… just describe that moment. Work on it until you think the words are as strong as your memory. That paragraph will be the first paragraph of your essay. (Post 1 of 2)</p>

[digmedia]

<p>(Post 2 of 2) Once you have the first paragraph, the next thing to do is to think about writing the FINAL paragraph of the essay (or, as you will see, the next-to-last). This will show the end result of what happened… hopefully showing a new, improved, changed, happier, better, wiser you. What did you have to overcome to get there? Work on getting the final paragraph done.</p>

<p>Only then worry about the middle. The middle has two parts. Part 1 is a bit of an introduction, a brief explanation of what was going on in the first paragraph. Part 2 are the moments between the first paragraph and the final one. These will document your transition. </p>

<p>Here is an example (not such a great essay, but used to illustrate what I’m talking about). See how the first and last paragraphs were written, but most importantly, see the “intro” second paragraph and the “transition” paragraphs.</p>

<p>Finally, not the last sentence, set off in its own paragraph. That’s just a little send-off to the reader, which helps make the essay more memorable.

I felt every eye turn to assess the new guy - me. The room seemed to shrink and everyone sitting in the desks seemed to lean toward me. Each stare seemed critical, judging whether I was worthy or not. I tried not to look back, tried to adopt an attitude of nonchalance. But internally, my mind raced. Had I worn the right clothes? Did I have the right hairstyle? And most importantly, was I going to go through my high school years forever categorized as a freak?</p>

<p>It was my first day in my new school, and I was brought into this class to be introduced by the teacher. I had heard that these kids were so different from where I had come and I hoped that no one could tell I was totally mortified.</p>

<p>A few days later, I noticed the sign to join the school’s service club. I had been a member at my previous school, but I couldn’t imagine joining here, to be with a bunch of prima donnas like these students. I’d continue friendless before I’d become like them.</p>

<p>It was about a week after that Melvin, one of the guys in my Trig class, came up to me and asked if we could study together. I was hesitant, but I needed the help and he seemed nice enough. It was at his house that he asked me a question that absolutely shocked me. “Why are you so stand-offish?”</p>

<p>“Me?” I was shocked. “I’m not stand-offish. It’s everyone else here who is.” It didn’t take much discussion before it began to sink in that my inability to integrate was be-cause of my own prejudices toward the new school I was in. When Melvin asked me later to reconsider joining the service club, I accepted. That was the start of my feeling at ease in this school and with these students.</p>

<p>A few months later, as I sat in my first period class, the door opened and a new face came in. That student had that same look I must have had when I had first come, but I smiled as I looked at her as if to say “Welcome!” As she looked around the room fearfully, she caught my smile and seemed to instantly relax.</p>

<p>Maybe, she was thinking, life at this school would be OK after all.

</p>

[ColumbiaGirl101]

<p>Thanks for the reply! Really helpful, but still looking for someone to run my ideas by. Need help more with the actual ideas than the writing of the essay </p>

[LAMuniv]

<p>Feel free to PM me your ideas :)</p>