<p>I've realized that I really can't write an essay musing about some topic or personal trait, but I'm a little better at storytelling. As in recounting mildly funny/surreal moments in my life, not writing fiction. The thing is, when I try to connect the story to something meaningful, I end up contemplating my navel and the pace just becomes arthritic. </p>
<p>The stories I've written out just in case I make them my essay:
1. How I was bought onto the school Science Olympiad team.
2. The first time I gave a teacher attitude.</p>
<p>You’ve done the hard part: bringing up the memories that are most memorable to you and thinking of them in terms of stories (vignettes or scenes), THAT is how great essays begin to develop. To go from there, you have to remember that your essay needs show you - like in a movie - in some kind of character development. You have to have a beginning (the funny or powerful or memorable first scene) AND an end (the final scene showing the stronger, wiser, more empathetic, etc… YOU) .</p>
<p>So how to choose which story to tell? Which of your memories led to a changed you? Changed for the better, overcoming something or realizing something or dealing with something. That initial story is your first paragraph.</p>
<p>NOW, write the final paragraph. Is there a scene you can describe that SHOWS (not tells) the stronger or wiser YOU? After writing the first paragraph of your essay, now write the LAST paragraph (the end of your story arc/character development).</p>
<p>The rest of the essay is much, much easier now. You know the beginning and you know the end, you just have to write a few paragraphs (more “scenes”) that show your transition. Here’s an example, but read it in this order: Read the first paragraph and think about the memory that evoked that - a strong memory. Then read the last paragraph. Notice how the person has relaxed and is now empathetic and doesn’t want the new person to go through what he did. Only then read the middle paragraphs and see how they are scenes that take you from beginning to end and show the character development.
</p>
<p>Notice that this essay is very focused and shows definite character development. The reason it can be focused and stay on track is the writer knew exactly where he was going, since he developed the final paragraph before writing the transition part.</p>
<h1>2 might not really be a good idea. unless the teacher was doing something undisputably morally wrong, like discriminating or bullying a student</h1>
<p>digmedia@ Wow, thank you! That example’s really helpful. Just wondering: do you write all of your examples on the spot?</p>
<p>stressedoutt@ IMO, neither of my stories really paint me as an angel. I mean, #1 shows that I take bribes! But to justify the second one, the teacher really was despicable. He always started off the class with some sort of “discussion,” which was really his 30 minutes of preaching to us about his personal beliefs. I didn’t give him attitude until he pulled me out of class for asking a question that poked a hole in his argument. Not being self-righteous, but he deserved to have someone call him out on his practices.</p>
<p>The essay is from my book. The idea was from a student I was helping. That was his memory and we worked something like this out. However, what you see is not exactly his essay. I modified it a bit to illustrate what I wanted to get across. But it’s a real situation and transition (him becoming comfortable in the new school)…except for the last part about the new kid - that was invented. I actually forget now how his essay ended, but it was something which showed him as now fitting in.</p>
<p>Regarding showing yourself in a slightly negative light (emphasis on the “slightly”), you’ve got to show how you overcome that to become a better person.</p>
<p>That’s pretty cool of you to share parts of your book on here.</p>
<p>With that in mind, however, I think I’ll have to nix the first story. It was one of the oddest things that ever happened to me, but I didn’t gain anything from it in retrospect.</p>