Someone once said that you should not write an essay as if the reader is sitting in front of a fireplace thinking deep thoughts, but rather one that would hold their interest if they had a two year old clinging to their leg, or you were sitting in their kitchen. At the time I thought this was…wierd, but when I read the successful essays )like this year’s one about Costco) it makes more sense. Others???
If a friend found your essay on the ground and read it, they should know it was yours just from the writing. Your essay should be written clearly in your own voice and be recognizable as such.