<p>I recently went back to school, it has been twenty long years. All the rule for writing essays have left my brain. Had a simple assignment....had to write a 5 paragraph essay. Topic, What can parents do to help build self-esteem in their children? Seemed simple enough, jotted down all my ideas that I wanted to cover but struggled desperately on how to start the essay. Just could not write my introduction paragraph. Help!!! The little confidence I had in writing is now long gone.</p>
<p>Exercise: Forget about the essay for a moment and try to think back: Can you remember any time that your parents did something that boosted your confidence in something? If you had kids, was there something YOU did? If not, INVENT a moment in your mind (LOL). Now examine that moment in your mind and think about how you would describe it. Concentrate NOT on writing an essay but just one paragraph describing that one moment. Something like:</p>
<p>I can still remember my mother leaning over and whispering in my ear, ‘Look out on the crowd and picture them all sitting there in their underwear!’ I found that so hilarious that I started giggling. I had been so afraid to stand up in front of everyone and give my little speech, but now I was so tickled by what she said I couldn’t possibly be nervous. The power of a mother’s whispered advice was clear…</p>
<p>Just the one paragraph about the one moment. Don’t think about the essay until that is done. THEN use it as the first paragragh and you are on your way.</p>
<p>The point is an essay is more powerful if it is personalized, rather than like a term paper. After the intro, go on to talk about the subject, but just remember to return to the personal level for the very end:</p>
<p>To this day when I’m shaky about addressing a group of people. I remember back on my mother’s whispered advice. It’s easy to keep your confidence up when everyone else in the room is in their underwear.</p>
<p>Thank you…</p>
<p>Finished rough draft would love for someone to pick it apart before class tomorrow.</p>