<p>I'm super frustrated because I wrote my college essay, and I was pretty proud of it because I got complimentary advice on it and revised it and then thought it looked great. However, I just asked another person for advice, and they did not seem to like it that much (I was warned not to give my essay to too many people... I guess I should have listened). </p>
<p>Anyway, this person pointed out that my essay didn't get to the point until the middle-end of the essay. But if the college essay is supposed to be a narrative, how are you supposed to state the point at the beginning?!?!?! If it's supposed to be a story, shouldn't it have a beginning where you are confused about something and then show how you come to learn it through an experience and then point out what you learned at the end?!?!</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound super annoyed. It's because I really am. Has my English teacher taught me the incorrect thing? Is the Common App essay supposed to even be a narrative?! Sorry if I sound dramatic, but I have been writing this essay for over 4 months, and I really, really, really, really hope that I don't have to rewrite it. </p>
<p>It is not supposed to be anything. Narrative is an option, but it is not the only option.</p>
<p>A narrative essay can combine the elements of storytelling with the elements of expository writing. It does not have to be a pure story.</p>
<p>A really good narrative essay is hard to write. The kind of details that make a story vivid can easily obscure an essay’s message. OTOH, a story that stays aggressively on message can seem artificial.</p>
<p>You should probably get feedback from a variety of readers.</p>
<p>it depends on if there is a plot twist in your writing or not. Good narratives need plot twists or they are boring.
If the writing is meh until the last paragraph then that is bad. </p>
<p>It depends what they meant by “the point.” You’re right that it’s fine and good not to state the “lesson” or payoff up front at the beginning, or else why would anyone bother reading the rest of the essay? But it’s possible they meant that the essay opens with stuff that’s not relevant to the point you will eventually be making. tl;dr: You certainly don’t need to state the point right away, but everything you say should be there for a <em>reason.</em></p>
<p>It is perfectly fine to “arrive” at your main point at the end of the essay, particularly for a narrative. It can be implied or stated. Many readers, if they are not sophisticated writers/readers, will fall back on the 5 paragraph essay format, with a thesis at the end of the first paragraph. That is not the best choice for a narrative or a sophisticated essay. So, if you like your essay and it seems like your authentic voice, and you’ve gotten good feedback from someone who reads and writes, go for it. Don’t listen to too much advice, unless everyone says the same thing. </p>