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College Application Essays

Prepare for writing essays
Essay advice - General
The best essays to write
Don't just write your essays, "Show" your essays
Answer the "Why?" in your essay
Support your college application strategy
Recommended essay format
Brainstorming and writing
WARNING! Make sure your essay is yours
Online essay assistance
Summary of essay guidelines

Writing Winning Essays Using Step-By-Step Actions

 

Describing the step-by-step actions leading to the main event or thesis of your essay builds readers’ interest in your essay.  For example, if you write about walking to the mailbox in anticipation of receiving an acceptance letter from one of your universities, describe details about events leading to opening the letter – walking out the front door of your house, the jingle of the mailbox key against the coins in your pocket as you walk hurriedly down the sidewalk to the mailbox, anxiously pulling out the key and nervously inserting it into the lock to open the mailbox door, the faint squeak of the small metal door as it opens and the nervous excitement of seeing several letters in the mailbox, pulling out and frantically sifting through the envelopes to find the letter from your university, nervously opening the letter, and the joy and relief of finding out you’re accepted.

 

Write step-by-step actions with fascinating details to make your essay outstanding.  Have readers live the experience with you – have them feel the anxiety, nervousness, excitement and thrill of the event you’re describing!

 

To write a “winning essay”, you can use:           
           
Detailed descriptions.

Detailed step-by-step actions leading to the significant event or thesis of your essay.

Conversations with actual quotes from people in the conversation.