Writing Writing StrongStrong Scholarship Scholarship EssaysEssays

Western Oregon UniversityWestern Oregon University

Recognize Your TaskRecognize Your Task

factfact opinionopinion

observationobservation response response

summarysummary analysisanalysis

recognize the balancerecognize the balance

150-Word Essay150-Word Essay

Prompt:Prompt:

Describe a challenge or obstacle you Describe a challenge or obstacle you faced in the last ten years. What did faced in the last ten years. What did you learn about yourself from this you learn about yourself from this experience?experience?

Getting StartedGetting StartedTwo Mildly Contradictory but Equally Valid Bits of AdviceTwo Mildly Contradictory but Equally Valid Bits of Advice

Think about what you might say about yourself Think about what you might say about yourself beforebefore you start writing: start by you start writing: start by

brainstormingbrainstorming.. Scribble down a list of your experiences and accomplishments but do not limit Scribble down a list of your experiences and accomplishments but do not limit

yourself to resume items (e.g., what stories do you share with family and yourself to resume items (e.g., what stories do you share with family and friends? what events from the past still linger in your thoughts today? what has friends? what events from the past still linger in your thoughts today? what has changed you recently?). changed you recently?).

Talk to other people: what would they include in your biography?Talk to other people: what would they include in your biography? Simply reflect: what is important to you? what gets you excited or moves you to Simply reflect: what is important to you? what gets you excited or moves you to

act? what threads form patterns in your life? what do you hope to accomplish act? what threads form patterns in your life? what do you hope to accomplish tomorrow, next year, or over the course of your lifetime?tomorrow, next year, or over the course of your lifetime?

Use the writing process as a vehicle for discovery.Use the writing process as a vehicle for discovery. Consider writing several different drafts (i.e., experiment).Consider writing several different drafts (i.e., experiment). Once you have spent a good deal of time brainstorming, select one route and try Once you have spent a good deal of time brainstorming, select one route and try

mapping out the main points that would need to be included in a draft.mapping out the main points that would need to be included in a draft. Try writing a draft within a set time limit (like 30 minutes), and read it later to look Try writing a draft within a set time limit (like 30 minutes), and read it later to look

for gems (or diamonds in the rough). for gems (or diamonds in the rough). Remember that writing is recursive: you might discover that the last paragraph in Remember that writing is recursive: you might discover that the last paragraph in

your third timed writing is the perfect first paragraph for your actual essay. your third timed writing is the perfect first paragraph for your actual essay.

Content: Some Helpful TipsContent: Some Helpful Tips

What belongs in a good personal statement is unique to each individual. Nevertheless,What belongs in a good personal statement is unique to each individual. Nevertheless,here are some safe bets to make as you write your draft: here are some safe bets to make as you write your draft:

Choose a few key points to develop (three or four at most).Choose a few key points to develop (three or four at most).

Include concrete examples to illustrate your points (i.e., include anecdotes that Include concrete examples to illustrate your points (i.e., include anecdotes that illustrate you taking action in your world).illustrate you taking action in your world).

Avoid braggy generalizations; instead, describe specific incidents to show your Avoid braggy generalizations; instead, describe specific incidents to show your strengths.strengths.

Think about including something that readers would remember, long after they’ve Think about including something that readers would remember, long after they’ve stopped readingstopped reading..

Have any books, classes, or philanthropic encounters profoundly shaped and/or Have any books, classes, or philanthropic encounters profoundly shaped and/or shaken your outlook?shaken your outlook?

Write from a positive perspective.Write from a positive perspective.

Always consider how your essay might fit with everything else you will be submitting. Always consider how your essay might fit with everything else you will be submitting.

After Drafting . . . Comes More After Drafting . . . Comes More WritingWriting

The best essays go through a series of revisions (10+ drafts). Get input The best essays go through a series of revisions (10+ drafts). Get input from a number of sources: mentors, writing tutors, and friends. from a number of sources: mentors, writing tutors, and friends. 

Stay objective: don’t fall madly in love with your first draft (remember your Stay objective: don’t fall madly in love with your first draft (remember your goal: your writing sample may also serve as the ticket for receiving a goal: your writing sample may also serve as the ticket for receiving a scholarship).scholarship).

People say that a People say that a picture equals a thousand wordspicture equals a thousand words (yes, it’s cliché); (yes, it’s cliché); however, reverse the idea as you read your essay: does your thousand however, reverse the idea as you read your essay: does your thousand words add up to one fabulous picture of you?words add up to one fabulous picture of you?

Package Carefully—Style TipsPackage Carefully—Style Tips

Top swimmers and runners often win by a narrow Top swimmers and runners often win by a narrow margin—perhaps by only one tenth of one margin—perhaps by only one tenth of one second. With this in mind, remember that second. With this in mind, remember that execution of detail can also make or break your execution of detail can also make or break your personal statement when the field is very personal statement when the field is very competitive. competitive.

FormattingFormatting

The goal of formatting is to make the format disappear. Thus, follow the The goal of formatting is to make the format disappear. Thus, follow the instructions for format, as directed by the instructions. instructions for format, as directed by the instructions. When no instructions When no instructions are provided, ease of reading should instruct your choicesare provided, ease of reading should instruct your choices::

Font: no larger than 12 and no smaller than 10.Font: no larger than 12 and no smaller than 10. Margins: one inch.Margins: one inch. Justification: align left.Justification: align left. Font: Font: Times New RomanTimes New Roman or or ArialArial (absolutely avoid  (absolutely avoid funkyfunky fonts). fonts). Always type (or word process), even if the directions give you the option to Always type (or word process), even if the directions give you the option to

““Print Neatly.” Print Neatly.” All top awards prefer ordinary white paper (seriously).All top awards prefer ordinary white paper (seriously).

150-Word Essay150-Word Essay

Prompt:Prompt:

Describe a personal accomplishment Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.to achieve it.

150-Word Essay150-Word Essay

Prompt:Prompt:

Explain your career aspirations and Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet those your educational plan to meet those goals.goals.

150-Word Essay150-Word Essay

Prompt:Prompt:

Explain how you have helped your Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a family or made your community a better place to live. Provide specific better place to live. Provide specific examples.examples.

Top TipsTop Tips

Do not include excerpts from the Do not include excerpts from the dictionary—Webster is NOT worth quoting.dictionary—Webster is NOT worth quoting.

Do not use Do not use contractions (don’t),contractions (don’t), exclamation marks (!),exclamation marks (!), and and ambiguous ambiguous pronouns at the start of sentences (it, this, pronouns at the start of sentences (it, this, these)these)..

Do not write in second-person point of Do not write in second-person point of view (you) . . . ever. First-person POV (I), view (you) . . . ever. First-person POV (I), however, is completely expected. however, is completely expected.

Edit as if Edit as if each mistake will cost you $20each mistake will cost you $20.. Take advantage of your resources: the Take advantage of your resources: the

Writing Center wants you to succeedWriting Center wants you to succeed..

www.wou.edu/writingcenterwww.wou.edu/writingcenter