How to start my essay???

College Essays
1

<p>I have just finished up the Common App essay, but have to write a separate essay for UF by November 1 (Ahh!). I know what I want to write about, but don't know an interesting way to start the essay. </p>

<p>Here is the essay prompt:
We often hear the phrase "the good life." In fact, the University of Florida's common course required of all undergraduate students is titled "What is the Good Life?". The concept of "the good life" can be interpreted in many different ways depending upon the experiences, values and aspirations of each individual.
In a concise narrative, describe your notion of "the good life." How will your undergraduate experience at the University of Florida prepare you to live "the good life"?</p>

<p>We had an admissions officer come to our school and she said NOT to pay to much attention to the last part about UF preparing us for the good life. She also said to make the essay very specific to you, not a general essay about everyone getting along and that sort of stuff. She also gave us an example of how she would write the essay about teaching her kids and grandkids to cook just like her grandfather taught her.</p>

<p>So, here is my plan for what to write about:
The good life for me would be having all of the Jewish holidays at my house with my whole family. My grandparents came to the US from Poland because of World War 2 (interesting back story with walking across countries and stuff). They came with a strong sense of family, and when they eventually settled in the US it was kind of an unspoken "rule" that everyone had to spend the holidays together at my grandmother's house. They all sleet in the small house, mattresses and blankets on the floor. Everyone helped cook and celebrated the holidays. However, my grandmother passed away before I was born and the concept of having family holidays is slowing fading away. Everyone has their own stuff to do, and there is rarely a holiday where we are all together (I'm talking extended family if you haven't caught on yet). In my "good life", all of the holidays are at my house. No matter how small, people will sleep on the couches, floor, on mattresses, etc. We will stay up super late playing card games and board games, and have a large family dinner, just like everyone used to do.</p>

<p>My problem is that I do not know how to start the essay. Should I begin with the family background part or with something else? I need a good hook to get the reader interested, it is VERY important to me!!!</p>

<p>Thanks everyone sooooo much who has responded!!! I really appreciate your help.</p>

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<p>Take a narrative approach. Pull them in with a story. You could start with the story about your grandparents, telling it in third person. Put the reader right in the action. OR you start with a holiday/family gathering from your childhood, making yourself the “main character.” You set the scene: how you felt, who was there. Maybe have your mother or father explain to you (in the narrative thread) why your family was having that gather–about your grandmother. And then segue into how that tradition has slowly faded, and you want to return to it. What it means to you to connect to family, tradition, history (so while the “good life” for you is the specific thing, I would extrapolate it more broadly so it has a universal appeal and reads deeper). Either approach has pros/cons and you could even try it both ways and see what you like better. Starting with your grandmother and the WWII/Holocaust setting is very dramatic; might make a reader sit up and take notice. However, starting with you is of course deeply personal and gives them insight into you as a person (in the narrative). It’s up to you.</p>

<p>I would have your first two graphs (not terribly long graphs) be a story, and then move into a more “traditional” essay format where you use first person. Does that help? I’m happy to help further.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much!! I will definitely use your ideas. They were very helpful. I will let you know what ends up happening, and if you are interested in taking a look at it when I am finished just let me know.</p>