I thought writing this essay was going to be really easy for me but now I’m not so sure. My topic is that my mom has a traumatic brain injury and how she has inspired me to go into neuroscience. I have no idea how to set this up or anything… I started it and it just doesn’t sound good at all. And usually writing comes pretty easily to me. I don’t know what to do.
I know that writing, for myself, is like a chain reaction, and if I begin writing on one topic, transitioning to the next becomes more comfortable and much smoother. Try answering a short response or 2 before diving into the big essay and maybe see if it comes easier then! If not, perhaps painfully jot out the essay and with what you have, seek help.
First, let me offer my sympathies to your family. Your mom’s injury must have taken its toll on your whole family.
Here’s what I suggest:
- Outline what you want to say. Bullets are fine.
- Forget about the intro. Write the body of your essay. Don't stress over word choice... editing is so much easier than writing. Just get your ideas into words.
- Then go back and look for that intro. When in doubt, google quotes or lyrics that say what you're trying to say.
- Finally, go back and edit like crazy.
A few words of caution: you only have 650 words to “give them a reason to say yes.” Make sure this essay is about YOU, not MOM. A sentence or two describing her injury should be enough to get the point across-- the rest should be all you. Remember the point of this essay: it’s NOT to raise awareness of brain injuries, it’s to get a stranger to know that you’re the kind of kid he wants in his school.
Have you heard of mind-mapping? Google it. Then try putting out a bunch of ideas on paper and then try to map them out. Once you have a cohesive structure for the essay then go back and write the intro.