MORE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY TIPS!
Be sure to:
- Tell a story. While it can be hard to your personal history, it is how you 'speak' to the readers without meeting them. Try to connect your story to why you are applying for each scholarship.
- Make a list! When you first read the essay prompt, brainstorm and write down any words and phrases that come to mind that are relevant to your answer to the prompt. Each time you read the prompt, add to the list. These words and phrases can guide the focus of your essay and serve as main points and ideas to include.
- Write with your voice! What does that mean?! Make sure when you are writing that you allow some of your personality to come out. Remember, a lot of people are writing essays. Yours HAS to stand out. Ideally, one of your proof readers (teacher, friend, me) will read your essays and know that YOU wrote it.
- Start with a powerful first sentence. You need to catch the attention of the reader and encourage them to keep reading. Use your word to paint a vivid picture of the experience(s) you'll be writing about in your essay.
- Write an outline! This will help you keep your thoughts organized and on track.
- When you write your first draft, JUST WRITE. Really let the words flow. Write everything that comes to mind and keep writing. You will probably go over your word count and write some things that you'll just cut out of the essay. But you will get warmed up and maybe come across some great ideas to include that you hadn't yet considered.
- Rewrite, Revise, Rewrite. Make sure you address and spellcheck issues as well as doing your own reading to check for spelling and grammar errors.
- Have a few people read your essays. You don't have to make use of all of their suggestions but the more eyes that review your essays, the more errors can be corrected.
- Be proud of your work!
