How to Write Great Essays

HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
CHAPTER 6
Untimed Essay Writing Strategies
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Resist any temptation to brag.
Do not go overboard highlighting your achievements,
and especially don’t take credit for something you shouldn’t. For example, did your
team really win the state championship because of your leadership skills? There
is a great difference between advocating for yourself and sounding pompous.
P
A R T S O F T H E
E
S S AY
There are three distinct parts to your essay: the introduction, body, and conclusion. In this
section, winning strategies for each section are examined.
INTRODUCTION
Exit essays differ from admissions essays in that they are scored by a teacher or adminis-
trator from your school. This reader (or readers) will take time with your writing. In con-
trast, anonymous admissions officers typically spend just two or three minutes reading each
application essay. While you can afford to write a standard introduction to an exit essay (one
that spells out your argument), that technique doesn’t work well for college admissions essays.
Because of your readers’ time constraints, your introduction must immediately entice him
or her to read further. There are a number of effective methods for “hooking” your reader
from the very first sentences of your essay.
The best way to write a compelling introduction is to 
wait to write it until you have com-
pleted the rough draft of the rest of your essay
. Then, extract something from your writing to
use as an opener. Here are some great ways to create a hook for your reader:
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Get emotional.
Your reader will relate to your subject if you engage their
emotions and cause them to make a connection with you and your writing.
Think about beginning with the way you felt about something, rather than
first describing or otherwise revealing that something.
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