<p>I am trying prompt #1 (background story) for a new essay topic. The topic focuses on my family's experiences during a hard time in our country's history, and how some of these hardships are still present today. I have heard many stories from my parents, but I wasn't able to experience what they had gone through. But still I want to write about it, because these stories have somehow influenced me and how I think. </p>
<p>Do you have any tips on how to make me the focus of the story and not my parents? I know I should put in how it has changed the way I view things, but anything other than that?</p>
<p>It sounds like these stories were woven into your life by your parents. So just the little bit you lay out here makes me understand that it feels part of your personal history. I don’t think that your can really say that you were ‘changed’ by it as much as that it was impressed upon you and colors your view of things. If you can express how that affects your view and how you think then I think you have just the sort of essay this prompt is intended for. You have a perspective on life that might be different from other people, and it is part of who you are.</p>
<p>Try to give some examples of how this affects your life, your dealings with other, your choices, etc.</p>
<p>I second BrownParent’s suggestions–it definitely sounds like you have some good material for Prompt #1, and if you focus on how your parent’s experience affects YOUR world view, then the essay will be about you. You can download a free book on how to write a great personal statement here: [How</a> to Write A Personal Statement | Dear Admissions](<a href=“DearAdmissions.com is for sale | HugeDomains”>HugeDomains.com)
I would check out the section on Brainstorming on Page 28–it might help you think through your topic and come up with some good ideas to write about. Good luck!</p>