How to Write Common App Essay Prompt 5 | 5 Tips and Tricks

Summary

This video script offers five essential tips for crafting a compelling Common App essay. It emphasizes sharing one's personal journey, revealing emotional intelligence, focusing on writing rhythm, narrowing the essay's focus, and including an intriguing introduction and a simple conclusion. The script also suggests using the conclusion as an introduction if it captures the essay's essence better, aiming to connect with the reader and showcase personal growth and understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Share your personal journey in the essay, highlighting key moments rather than every detail.
• 💪 Reveal conflicts and how you responded to them, showing your character and growth.
• 🧠 Showcase emotional intelligence by acknowledging your strengths, weaknesses, and self-awareness.
• 📖 Focus on the rhythm of your writing, using a mix of short and long sentences to keep the reader engaged.
• 🎯 Keep your essay focused and personal, selecting a specific aspect of your life to explore deeply.
• 🔍 Include an intriguing introduction to capture the reader's attention and a simple conclusion to signal the end.
• 📚 Use your essay to demonstrate self-motivation, empathy, and social skills, which are important for college life.
• 🤔 Reflect on how you handle failure and what you've learned from it, as this shows resilience and growth.
• 📈 Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that led to personal growth and new self-understanding.
• 🌟 Your essay should reveal your humanity and emotional intelligence, connecting with the reader on a personal level.
• ✨ Consider using your conclusion as your introduction if it captures the essence of your essay more effectively.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to provide tips and strategies for writing a better Common App essay.

What is the first tip for writing the Common App essay according to the script?

The first tip is to share your hero's journey, focusing on personal experiences and how you responded to various situations without going into excessive detail.

Why is it important to reveal conflict in the essay?

Revealing conflict is important because it shows how you responded to challenges or problems, which helps to reveal your character and emotional intelligence.

What does the script suggest about showcasing emotional intelligence in the essay?

The script suggests showcasing emotional intelligence by demonstrating self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, as these aspects can help reveal who you are as a person.

Why is the rhythm of writing considered more important than word choice in the essay?

The rhythm of writing is considered more important because it helps to maintain the reader's interest and engagement, whereas fancy words might not be used properly and can detract from the message.

What does the script recommend regarding the focus of the essay?

The script recommends keeping the focus narrow and personal, selecting one specific aspect of your life to write about, and making it very personal to reveal your true self.

What is the significance of having an intriguing introduction and a simple conclusion in the essay?

An intriguing introduction captures the reader's attention and makes them want to read more, while a simple conclusion serves as a stop sign, indicating the end of the essay without adding more material.

What is the bonus conclusion tip mentioned in the script?

The bonus tip is that sometimes the best introduction can be your conclusion, especially if you have a strong understanding of your essay's purpose by the time you write it.

How does the script relate to the idea of discussing an accomplishment, event, or realization in the essay?

The script relates this idea by emphasizing the importance of discussing the process and personal growth that resulted from such experiences, rather than just the accomplishment itself.

What does the script suggest about the role of failure in personal growth?

The script suggests that failure is a normal part of life and personal growth, and discussing how you recover from failure can be a powerful way to connect with the reader and show your resilience.

What does the script imply about the reader's perspective on the essay?

The script implies that the reader is looking for a personal connection with the applicant, wanting to see their humanity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to overcome challenges.