How to Hook Your Reader & Write Better College Essay Openings

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares four common mistakes students make when opening their personal statements and offers nine strategies to craft an engaging introduction. These include techniques like the 'full Hemingway' image-based description, 'twist' opening, and 'confession' style. The key is to capture the reader's attention and spark curiosity without giving away too much. The video concludes with a favorite personal statement opening that is compelling and vulnerable, emphasizing the importance of a strong, authentic middle and conclusion to truly demonstrate a student's qualities and potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid overly grand or ambiguous statements as personal statement openings, as they are abstract and impersonal.
• 😀 Don't write an essay about writing an essay; avoid the 'meta' approach, where you discuss the process of writing rather than focusing on yourself.
• 😀 Steer clear of opening with a quote, as it can make your personal statement feel generic and remove the focus from your own voice.
• 😀 Avoid giving away the entire thesis in your opening, as it can spoil the essay's narrative and reduce reader curiosity.
• 😀 Use the 'Full Hemingway' technique, where you provide vivid details in your opening without revealing too much about where the story is going.
• 😀 The 'Mini Hemingway' technique also uses detailed descriptions but offers more context within the first few sentences to hint at where the essay is headed.
• 😀 Consider using the 'Twist' opening, which sets up expectations and then subverts them with unexpected information, making the reader curious.
• 😀 The 'Philosophical Question' approach is useful for piquing curiosity, but be careful not to drift into abstract territory. Ensure you answer the question through personal storytelling.
• 😀 The 'Confession' opening lets you share something vulnerable or unusual about yourself, drawing readers in with your honesty and self-awareness.
• 😀 The 'Trailer' opening provides a sneak peek of what’s to come, creating intrigue by highlighting an object or event that ties into the larger narrative of the essay.
• 😀 The 'Shocking Image' technique grabs attention by starting with a surprising or vivid image, which creates curiosity about the relevance of the image in your story.

Q & A

What is the first common mistake students make when opening their personal statement?

The first common mistake is using overly grand or ambiguous statements, such as 'many great thinkers have existed in our nation's history' or 'the key to a successful endeavor is perseverance'. These types of statements are too abstract and don't feel personal enough.

What does 'going meta' mean in the context of writing a personal statement?

Going meta refers to writing an essay about the process of writing an essay itself, such as starting with 'I'm staring at the blank computer screen' or 'it's two hours before the deadline'. This is an overused approach that can be difficult to pull off effectively.

Why should students avoid starting their personal statement with a quote?

Students should avoid starting with a quote because it shifts the focus from their own voice to someone else's. Even if the quote is meaningful, the admissions reader wants to hear the student's own perspective, and they may have already seen the quote elsewhere.

What is the 'two obvious thesis' mistake?

The 'two obvious thesis' mistake occurs when a student reveals the purpose of their essay too early, essentially spoiling the story. For example, saying 'I want to be a veterinarian because I care about animals' is too direct and doesn't engage the reader's curiosity.

What is the 'Full Hemingway' technique for opening a personal statement?

The 'Full Hemingway' technique involves starting with a vivid, image-based description that doesn't give away too much but draws the reader in. The details should create curiosity about where the story is headed.

How is the 'Mini Hemingway' different from the 'Full Hemingway'?

The 'Mini Hemingway' starts with a specific image or moment but follows up with context within the first few sentences, giving the reader a clearer idea of where the essay is headed, unlike the 'Full Hemingway', which builds more mystery.

What is the purpose of a 'twist opening' in a personal statement?

The twist opening sets up one set of expectations and then subverts them, creating an interesting contrast. For example, a student might start with a description of being a basketball player, only to reveal a completely different, unexpected interest or identity.

How can a philosophical question serve as an effective opening?

A philosophical question can grab the reader's attention by posing a thought-provoking issue that the student will then attempt to answer throughout the essay, often through personal reflection or experiences.

What is the 'confession opening' and how does it work?

A confession opening involves sharing a personal fact that might be surprising or vulnerable, often something the student hasn't shared before. This technique can make the essay more relatable and humanize the writer.

Why is the 'shocking image' opening impactful?

The 'shocking image' grabs the reader's attention by presenting something jarring or unexpected, which raises questions about the situation. The student can then explain the image's relevance, making it a compelling way to start a personal statement.