<p>Obviously any worthwhile essay should have something that sorta catches the reader in the first paragraph. But should the first paragraph contain the high point of your essay? And then from that point on it's all downhill? Or should you say something to catch their attention, but build up to a climax and put the high point closer to the end or the middle? This might be just a stylistic thing that differs from person to person, but a lot of the sample college essays I read seem to have the high point in like the first or second sentence, and they set the bar so high that they cannot possibly maintain that level of interest throughout the essay. Or some people tell a very specific story of a very specific moment and kinda proceed chronologically, the whole thing maybe taking place over a matter of minutes, maybe hours. But somehow, putting the high point at the very start seems counterintuitive to me. Shouldn't the reader have to actually read your essay to get to the point? Is it better to say something just catchy enough to get them at the beginning, put then really put the heart and soul of the essay into the climax, and conclusion? And just how catchy is "just catchy enough"?</p>
<p>Another stylistic issue, should paragraphs be short or long? What's a good length? Obviously, you don't want them so short they're choppy, or so long they're rambling, but I'm not exactly sure where the middle ground lies. Help!</p>
<p>I read the thread title and thought this was about something else entirely. :D</p>
<p>Oh, many analogies could be made. However, do take into consideration that this is in a forum for COLLEGE ESSAYS, and keep that in mind when considering the context it is meant in.</p>
<p>Yes I know, I know. I wasn't being serious.</p>
<p>Neither was I, but then I don't know how to make kick-ass smileys like you. Wish I could wink or stick my tongue out right now...</p>
<p>: D is the one I did
: p Is the tongue sticking out
: ) is a happy face
: confused : is a confused face
: rolleyes : is rolled eyes
; ) is a wink
: o is an embarrassed face.
: mad : is self explanatory
: cool : is a smug face
: ( is a sad face</p>
<p>Just remove the spaces to get the actual smiley.</p>
<p>:D :p :) :confused: :rolleyes: ;) :o :mad: :cool: :(</p>
<p>I think that's all of them.</p>
<p>Yay! Thanks. That's almost as informative as if you had answered my question. :p (See, I'm a pro already.)</p>
<p>No one has an opinion at all on this issue?</p>
<p>I like to see the opening paragraph (or two) with enough information so that I know what you'll talk about. It gets very distracting to read flowery language and imagery for half of the essay. I find my mind wandering and wanting to skip ahead to figure out what the topic really is. The climax I like to see toward the end. </p>
<p>This is based on what I've read in college essay books and from critiquing at least 10 essays. Eponymous, feel free to PM me your essay when it's ready.</p>