Let’s say you are confronting one of the most important decisions of your life. But first, you must answer this: My favorite thing about last Tuesday?
And do it in 25 words or less.
2. Organize yourself. The best way to present and prove your point is by keeping yourself organized. All essays should flow naturally and have a clear premise. Here is a very basic five-paragraph formula for a good essay: I. Introductory paragraph (Last sentence is the premise, or statement that the rest of the essay will prove.) II. First Point (weakest point) -Use evidence, such a stories, facts, or quotations to support your argument. III. Second Point (2nd strongest point) IV. Third Point (strongest point to really bring the message home) V. Closing Paragraph -Relate all your points back to each other and explain how they support your statement from the introductory paragraph. Depending on the required length of the essay, you can expand or shorten the formula. The most important thing is to make sure your argument is clear throughout the entire essay. The beginning needs to match the ending, and have a flow with everything in between. 3. Know your audience. If you are applying for a scholarship with the Coca-Cola company, don’t write an entire essay about how much you love to drink Pepsi just so that you can be argumentative. Go to the website for the scholarship you are interested in and read their mission statement and goals. This will give you a guide to know what kind of emphasis to put on your essays. It will also help you get a feel for the tone they are looking for. Are they seeking for students who are very determined in their pursuit of education? Or are they an organization that particularly seeks for innovation and creativity? Do some research and learn about what they are truly looking for. 4. Start strong. There are several methods you can use to capture your audience’s interest from the start. You may try starting your essay with a question, an interesting fact, a short and shocking statement, or a short personal narrative. Examples: Have you ever had to wash windows outside, in the dead of winter? (question) 73 percent of students who graduated in 2009 were considered non-traditional students. (interesting fact) A broken heart is a wonderful thing. (short and shocking statement) I stood at the door of the plane, looking down at the rollings fields below me. The wind roared in my ears. Closing my eyes, I held my breath and jumped. (personal narrative)Read Part 1 of this post here.
What makes you so special? That question may sound a bit harsh, but it’s meant to. Competition can be fierce these days for finding financial assistance for your education. This is one of the most important questions you must ask yourself when seeking and applying for scholarships. Everyone has characteristics and experiences that make them unique. In order to win a scholarship, you must not only learn to recognize these differences in yourself, but be proud of them.
Scholarships are available for almost anything you can imagine, from academics to the kind of sports drink you prefer, and from ethnic background to unique artistic skills. There are basically four types of scholarships: merit-based (academics, sports, arts, etc.), need-based(for low-income families), student-specific (age, race, religion, etc.), career-specific (some careers are in higher demand, and therefore more scholarships are available for those seeking a degree in that field).
Once you’ve found a list of scholarships that you would like to apply for, the hard part begins. Filling out the application can be a daunting task, especially the essay portion. But don’t worry. Get comfortable and we’ll discuss how to write a good scholarship essay.
1. Know the topic and stick to it. Many scholarship applications require that the essay portion answer a specific question. Here are some examples:
Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
Who in your life has been your biggest influence and why?
Why do you want to get a college education?
How will your study of _____ contribute to your immediate or long-range career plans?
Please, stick to the question! Use the wording of it to create a premise, or a one sentence statement about what you are going to be writing about. This sentence goes at the very end of the introductory paragraph in the essay. Here are examples to match the previous questions, in the same order they were presented above:
Throughout my life, my unique ability to see the good in others has set me apart.
My grandfather, John Doe, has been the biggest influence in my life because of his selfless service to his country.
I want to get a college education because I am determined to become a doctor and help others.
My study of computer science will prepare me to be employed for one of the world’s leading companies, the Microsoft Corporation.
Stay tuned for part 2!
