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177 College Essay Examples for 11 Schools + Expert Analysis

College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Sample Essays

The breadth of Georgetown’s core curriculum means that students are required to write for a wide variety of academic disciplines. Below, we provide some student samples that exhibit the key features the most popular genres. When reading through these essays, we recommend paying attention to their 

1. Structure (How many paragraphs are there? Does the author use headers?) 

2. Argument (Is the author pointing out a problem, and/or proposing a solution?) 

3. Content (Does the argument principally rely on facts, theory, or logic?) and 

4. Style (Does the writer use first person? What is the relationship with the audience?)

Philosophy Paper

• Singer on the Moral Status of Animals

Theology Paper

• Problem of God
• Jewish Civilization
• Sacred Space and Time
• Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution

History Paper

• World History

Literature Review

Comparative Analysis 

Policy Brief

• Vaccine Manufacturing

White Paper

Critical Analysis

• Ignatius Seminar

How to Write a Good English Literature Essay

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

How do you write a good English Literature essay? Although to an extent this depends on the particular subject you’re writing about, and on the nature of the question your essay is attempting to answer, there are a few general guidelines for how to write a convincing essay – just as there are a few guidelines for writing well in any field.

We at Interesting Literature  call them ‘guidelines’ because we hesitate to use the word ‘rules’, which seems too programmatic. And as the writing habits of successful authors demonstrate, there is no  one way to become a good writer – of essays, novels, poems, or whatever it is you’re setting out to write. The French writer Colette liked to begin her writing day by picking the fleas off her cat.

Edith Sitwell, by all accounts, liked to lie in an open coffin before she began her day’s writing. Friedrich von Schiller kept rotten apples in his desk, claiming he needed the scent of their decay to help him write. (For most student essay-writers, such an aroma is probably allowed to arise in the writing-room more organically, over time.)

We will address our suggestions for successful essay-writing to the average student of English Literature, whether at university or school level. There are many ways to approach the task of essay-writing, and these are just a few pointers for how to write a better English essay – and some of these pointers may also work for other disciplines and subjects, too.

Of course, these guidelines are designed to be of interest to the non-essay-writer too – people who have an interest in the craft of writing in general. If this describes you, we hope you enjoy the list as well. Remember, though, everyone can find writing difficult: as Thomas Mann memorably put it, ‘A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.’ Nora Ephron was briefer: ‘I think the hardest thing about writing is writing.’ So, the guidelines for successful essay-writing:

1. Planning is important, but don’t spend too long perfecting a structure that might end up changing.

This may seem like odd advice to kick off with, but the truth is that different approaches work for different students and essayists. You need to find out which method works best for you.

It’s not a bad idea, regardless of whether you’re a big planner or not, to sketch out perhaps a few points on a sheet of paper before you start, but don’t be surprised if you end up moving away from it slightly – or considerably – when you start to write.

Often the most extensively planned essays are the most mechanistic and dull in execution, precisely because the writer has drawn up a plan and refused to deviate from it. What  is a more valuable skill is to be able to sense when your argument may be starting to go off-topic, or your point is getting out of hand,  as you write . (For help on this, see point 5 below.)

We might even say that when it comes to knowing how to write a good English Literature essay,  practising  is more important than planning.

2. Make room for close analysis of the text, or texts.

Whilst it’s true that some first-class or A-grade essays will be impressive without containing any close reading as such, most of the highest-scoring and most sophisticated essays tend to zoom in on the text and examine its language and imagery closely in the course of the argument. (Close reading of literary texts arises from theology and the analysis of holy scripture, but really became a ‘thing’ in literary criticism in the early twentieth century, when T. S. Eliot, F. R. Leavis, William Empson, and other influential essayists started to subject the poem or novel to close scrutiny.)

Close reading has two distinct advantages: it increases the specificity of your argument (so you can’t be so easily accused of generalising a point), and it improves your chances of pointing up something about the text which none of the other essays your marker is reading will have said. For instance, take In Memoriam  (1850), which is a long Victorian poem by the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson about his grief following the death of his close friend, Arthur Hallam, in the early 1830s.

When answering a question about the representation of religious faith in Tennyson’s poem  In Memoriam  (1850), how might you write a particularly brilliant essay about this theme? Anyone can make a general point about the poet’s crisis of faith; but to look closely at the language used gives you the chance to show  how the poet portrays this.

For instance, consider this stanza, which conveys the poet’s doubt:

A solid and perfectly competent essay might cite this stanza in support of the claim that Tennyson is finding it increasingly difficult to have faith in God (following the untimely and senseless death of his friend, Arthur Hallam). But there are several ways of then doing something more with it. For instance, you might get close to the poem’s imagery, and show how Tennyson conveys this idea, through the image of the ‘altar-stairs’ associated with religious worship and the idea of the stairs leading ‘thro’ darkness’ towards God.

In other words, Tennyson sees faith as a matter of groping through the darkness, trusting in God without having evidence that he is there. If you like, it’s a matter of ‘blind faith’. That would be a good reading. Now, here’s how to make a good English essay on this subject even better: one might look at how the word ‘falter’ – which encapsulates Tennyson’s stumbling faith – disperses into ‘falling’ and ‘altar’ in the succeeding lines. The word ‘falter’, we might say, itself falters or falls apart.

That is doing more than just interpreting the words: it’s being a highly careful reader of the poetry and showing how attentive to the language of the poetry you can be – all the while answering the question, about how the poem portrays the idea of faith. So, read and then reread the text you’re writing about – and be sensitive to such nuances of language and style.

The best way to  become attuned to such nuances is revealed in point 5. We might summarise this point as follows: when it comes to knowing how to write a persuasive English Literature essay, it’s one thing to have a broad and overarching argument, but don’t be afraid to use the  microscope as well as the telescope.

3. Provide several pieces of evidence where possible.

Many essays have a point to make and make it, tacking on a single piece of evidence from the text (or from beyond the text, e.g. a critical, historical, or biographical source) in the hope that this will be enough to make the point convincing.

‘State, quote, explain’ is the Holy Trinity of the Paragraph for many. What’s wrong with it? For one thing, this approach is too formulaic and basic for many arguments. Is one quotation enough to support a point? It’s often a matter of degree, and although one piece of evidence is better than none, two or three pieces will be even more persuasive.

After all, in a court of law a single eyewitness account won’t be enough to convict the accused of the crime, and even a confession from the accused would carry more weight if it comes supported by other, objective evidence (e.g. DNA, fingerprints, and so on).

Let’s go back to the example about Tennyson’s faith in his poem  In Memoriam  mentioned above. Perhaps you don’t find the end of the poem convincing – when the poet claims to have rediscovered his Christian faith and to have overcome his grief at the loss of his friend.

You can find examples from the end of the poem to suggest your reading of the poet’s insincerity may have validity, but looking at sources beyond the poem – e.g. a good edition of the text, which will contain biographical and critical information – may help you to find a clinching piece of evidence to support your reading.

And, sure enough, Tennyson is reported to have said of  In Memoriam : ‘It’s too hopeful, this poem, more than I am myself.’ And there we have it: much more convincing than simply positing your reading of the poem with a few ambiguous quotations from the poem itself.

Of course, this rule also works in reverse: if you want to argue, for instance, that T. S. Eliot’s  The Waste Land is overwhelmingly inspired by the poet’s unhappy marriage to his first wife, then using a decent biographical source makes sense – but if you didn’t show evidence for this idea from the poem itself (see point 2), all you’ve got is a vague, general link between the poet’s life and his work.

Show  how the poet’s marriage is reflected in the work, e.g. through men and women’s relationships throughout the poem being shown as empty, soulless, and unhappy. In other words, when setting out to write a good English essay about any text, don’t be afraid to  pile on  the evidence – though be sensible, a handful of quotations or examples should be more than enough to make your point convincing.

4. Avoid tentative or speculative phrasing.

Many essays tend to suffer from the above problem of a lack of evidence, so the point fails to convince. This has a knock-on effect: often the student making the point doesn’t sound especially convinced by it either. This leaks out in the telling use of, and reliance on, certain uncertain  phrases: ‘Tennyson might have’ or ‘perhaps Harper Lee wrote this to portray’ or ‘it can be argued that’.

An English university professor used to write in the margins of an essay which used this last phrase, ‘What  can’t be argued?’

This is a fair criticism: anything can be argued (badly), but it depends on what evidence you can bring to bear on it (point 3) as to whether it will be a persuasive argument. (Arguing that the plays of Shakespeare were written by a Martian who came down to Earth and ingratiated himself with the world of Elizabethan theatre is a theory that can be argued, though few would take it seriously. We wish we could say ‘none’, but that’s a story for another day.)

Many essay-writers, because they’re aware that texts are often open-ended and invite multiple interpretations (as almost all great works of literature invariably do), think that writing ‘it can be argued’ acknowledges the text’s rich layering of meaning and is therefore valid.

Whilst this is certainly a fact – texts are open-ended and can be read in wildly different ways – the phrase ‘it can be argued’ is best used sparingly if at all. It should be taken as true that your interpretation is, at bottom, probably unprovable. What would it mean to ‘prove’ a reading as correct, anyway? Because you found evidence that the author intended the same thing as you’ve argued of their text? Tennyson wrote in a letter, ‘I wrote In Memoriam  because…’?

But the author might have lied about it (e.g. in an attempt to dissuade people from looking too much into their private life), or they might have changed their mind (to go back to the example of  The Waste Land : T. S. Eliot championed the idea of poetic impersonality in an essay of 1919, but years later he described  The Waste Land as ‘only the relief of a personal and wholly insignificant grouse against life’ – hardly impersonal, then).

Texts – and their writers – can often be contradictory, or cagey about their meaning. But we as critics have to act responsibly when writing about literary texts in any good English essay or exam answer. We need to argue honestly, and sincerely – and not use what Wikipedia calls ‘weasel words’ or hedging expressions.

So, if nothing is utterly provable, all that remains is to make the strongest possible case you can with the evidence available. You do this, not only through marshalling the evidence in an effective way, but by writing in a confident voice when making your case. Fundamentally, ‘There is evidence to suggest that’ says more or less the same thing as ‘It can be argued’, but it foregrounds the  evidence rather than the argument, so is preferable as a phrase.

This point might be summarised by saying: the best way to write a good English Literature essay is to be honest about the reading you’re putting forward, so you can be confident in your interpretation and use clear, bold language. (‘Bold’ is good, but don’t get too cocky, of course…)

5. Read the work of other critics.

This might be viewed as the Holy Grail of good essay-writing tips, since it is perhaps the single most effective way to improve your own writing. Even if you’re writing an essay as part of school coursework rather than a university degree, and don’t need to research other critics for your essay, it’s worth finding a good writer of literary criticism and reading their work. Why is this worth doing?

Published criticism has at least one thing in its favour, at least if it’s published by an academic press or has appeared in an academic journal, and that is that it’s most probably been peer-reviewed, meaning that other academics have read it, closely studied its argument, checked it for errors or inaccuracies, and helped to ensure that it is expressed in a fluent, clear, and effective way.

If you’re serious about finding out how to write a better English essay, then you need to study how successful writers in the genre do it. And essay-writing is a genre, the same as novel-writing or poetry. But why will reading criticism help you? Because the critics you read can show you how to do all of the above: how to present a close reading of a poem, how to advance an argument that is not speculative or tentative yet not over-confident, how to use evidence from the text to make your argument more persuasive.

And, the more you read of other critics – a page a night, say, over a few months – the better you’ll get. It’s like textual osmosis: a little bit of their style will rub off on you, and every writer learns by the examples of other writers.

As T. S. Eliot himself said, ‘The poem which is absolutely original is absolutely bad.’ Don’t get precious about your own distinctive writing style and become afraid you’ll lose it. You can’t  gain a truly original style before you’ve looked at other people’s and worked out what you like and what you can ‘steal’ for your own ends.

We say ‘steal’, but this is not the same as saying that plagiarism is okay, of course. But consider this example. You read an accessible book on Shakespeare’s language and the author makes a point about rhymes in Shakespeare. When you’re working on your essay on the poetry of Christina Rossetti, you notice a similar use of rhyme, and remember the point made by the Shakespeare critic.

This is not plagiarising a point but applying it independently to another writer. It shows independent interpretive skills and an ability to understand and apply what you have read. This is another of the advantages of reading critics, so this would be our final piece of advice for learning how to write a good English essay: find a critic whose style you like, and study their craft.

If you’re looking for suggestions, we can recommend a few favourites: Christopher Ricks, whose  The Force of Poetry is a tour de force; Jonathan Bate, whose  The Genius of Shakespeare , although written for a general rather than academic audience, is written by a leading Shakespeare scholar and academic; and Helen Gardner, whose  The Art of T. S. Eliot , whilst dated (it came out in 1949), is a wonderfully lucid and articulate analysis of Eliot’s poetry.

James Wood’s How Fiction Works  is also a fine example of lucid prose and how to close-read literary texts. Doubtless readers of  Interesting Literature will have their own favourites to suggest in the comments, so do check those out, as these are just three personal favourites. What’s your favourite work of literary scholarship/criticism? Suggestions please.

Much of all this may strike you as common sense, but even the most commonsensical advice can go out of your mind when you have a piece of coursework to write, or an exam to revise for. We hope these suggestions help to remind you of some of the key tenets of good essay-writing practice – though remember, these aren’t so much commandments as recommendations. No one can ‘tell’ you how to write a good English Literature essay as such.

But it can be learned. And remember, be interesting – find the things in the poems or plays or novels which really ignite your enthusiasm. As John Mortimer said, ‘The only rule I have found to have any validity in writing is not to bore yourself.’

Finally, good luck – and happy writing!

And if you enjoyed these tips for how to write a persuasive English essay, check out our advice for how to remember things for exams  and our tips for becoming a better close reader of poetry .

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30 thoughts on “How to Write a Good English Literature Essay”

You must have taken AP Literature. I’m always saying these same points to my students.

I also think a crucial part of excellent essay writing that too many students do not realize is that not every point or interpretation needs to be addressed. When offered the chance to write your interpretation of a work of literature, it is important to note that there of course are many but your essay should choose one and focus evidence on this one view rather than attempting to include all views and evidence to back up each view.

Reblogged this on SocioTech'nowledge .

Not a bad effort…not at all! (Did you intend “subject” instead of “object” in numbered paragraph two, line seven?”

Oops! I did indeed – many thanks for spotting. Duly corrected ;)

That’s what comes of writing about philosophy and the subject/object for another post at the same time!

Reblogged this on Scribing English .

• Pingback: Recommended Resource: Interesting Literature.com & how to write an essay | Write Out Loud

Great post on essay writing! I’ve shared a post about this and about the blog site in general which you can look at here: http://writeoutloudblog.com/2015/01/13/recommended-resource-interesting-literature-com-how-to-write-an-essay/

All of these are very good points – especially I like 2 and 5. I’d like to read the essay on the Martian who wrote Shakespeare’s plays).

Reblogged this on Uniqely Mustered and commented: Dedicate this to all upcoming writers and lovers of Writing!

I shall take this as my New Year boost in Writing Essays. Please try to visit often for corrections,advise and criticisms.

Reblogged this on Blue Banana Bread .

Reblogged this on worldsinthenet .

All very good points, but numbers 2 and 4 are especially interesting.

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Reblogged this on rainniewu .

Reblogged this on pixcdrinks .

• Pingback: How to Write a Good English Essay? Interesting Literature | EngLL.Com

Great post. Interesting infographic how to write an argumentative essay http://www.essay-profy.com/blog/how-to-write-an-essay-writing-an-argumentative-essay/

Reblogged this on DISTINCT CHARACTER and commented: Good Tips

Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented: This could be applied to novel or short story writing as well.

Reblogged this on rosetech67 and commented: Useful, albeit maybe a bit late for me :-)

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such a nice pieace of content you shared in this write up about “How to Write a Good English Essay” going to share on another useful resource that is

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A well rounded summary on all steps to keep in mind while starting on writing. There are many new avenues available though. Benefit from the writing options of the 21st century from here, i loved it! http://authenticwritingservices.com

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How to write an award-winning essay

1. take your time.

If you’ve ever left an assignment to the last minute, then you’ve probably asked your friends (and Google) that critical question – how long does it take to write an essay?

While some suggest you can do it in a few hours (spoiler alert: you can’t), and others say several weeks, Associate Professor Mark Byron’s answer lies somewhere in the middle.

“It depends how much background knowledge you have on the topic in question, and how conceptually challenging your essay seeks to be (and it should be as challenging as the response demands, no more and no less),” he suggests. “For a typical essay, you might take several days to read primary and secondary materials, and to take notes, and then perhaps two or three days to draft a 3000-word essay.”

If you’re aiming for top marks, you’ll also need to factor in plenty of time to refine your work. Henry Maher, co-winner of the 2016 Wentworth Medal, recommends taking at least two weeks to research, and then another week to write and edit – but the longer you spend on it, the better it will be.

2. Work your angles

You’ve probably noticed “originality” in the coveted HD box of the marking rubric – but what does that actually mean? How can you write an original essay on a topic that’s already been covered by hundreds of people? 

According to Mark, originality isn’t just about covering uncharted territory. “Originality can take on a variety of forms. It could be a new combination of existing ideas, brought together in ways that newly illuminate each of them, or perhaps a way of approaching a theme or concept that involves a new approach or methodology,” he says. “One way of seeking out an original approach is to research existing work on a subject, and to identify where the field may lack adequate articulation.”

For Henry, the key to finding an original angle lies in research and passion. “If the author is interested, there’s a much greater chance that the audience will be engaged too,” he says. “So I begin with the area that I find most interesting, and then follow the reference trail from other articles until I have a clear picture of the current state of the literature.”

Once you’ve found your angle, make sure you sell it – let the reader know that you’re addressing a gap in the literature, or are making an interesting contribution to scholarly knowledge.

3. Build a rock-solid argument

Your essay will only be as strong as your argument, so make sure that every paragraph in your essay drives your point home.

To do so, Henry recommends first focusing on your ideas. “Break those down into a series of dot-points, and then fill that out with full sentences until the essay is complete,” he suggests.

“Don't simply believe your own argument; rather test it with the same scepticism that you would with something you learn in a lecture or a journal,” says Mark. “This will get you ready to defend your views and to support your claims with evidence.” 

4. Edit (then edit again)

You’ve reached the word count, finished your conclusion and your paragraphs seem coherent. This is often the make-or-break moment – to edit, or to just submit?

For good writers, a thorough editing stage is non-negotiable. Henry has a simple strategy that helps him overcome the temptation to submit a first draft. “I aim to write 10 percent over the word limit, then remove the worst 10 percent from the essay.”

Mark stresses the importance of considering a first draft as a “point of testing ideas”.

“Discard anything that doesn't contribute to the central argument, no matter how attached you might be to the turn of phrase or the idea,” he says.

5. Find your voice

A strong and independent voice is the holy grail of essay writing, and something that you’ll get better at with practice and plenty of editing.

“The best essays identify themselves by virtue of the clarity of their thought (argument structure, logical analysis) and the way the flow of ideas aligns with clarity of expression,” Mark notes.

“A very good essay will do this well, but the best essays demonstrate a higher quality of independent thought, where the voice of the writer comes through, not obtrusively, but in a style that works in harmony with the material at issue in the essay.”

“The production of complex ideas in elegant language can be arduous, but the final result should be satisfying and rewarding. There is room for enjoyment, even if the process feels a long way from leisure!”  

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Most high school students don’t get a lot of experience with creative writing, so the college essay can be especially daunting. Reading examples of successful essays, however, can help you understand what admissions officers are looking for.

In this post, we’ll share 16 college essay examples of many different topics. Most of the essay prompts fall into 8 different archetypes, and you can approach each prompt under that archetype in a similar way. We’ve grouped these examples by archetype so you can better structure your approach to college essays.

If you’re looking for school-specific guides, check out our 2022-2023 essay breakdowns .

Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Note: the essays are titled in this post for navigation purposes, but they were not originally titled. We also include the original prompt where possible.

The Common App essay goes to all of the schools on your list, unless those schools use a separate application platform. Because of this, it’s the most important essay in your portfolio, and likely the longest essay you’ll need to write (you get up to 650 words). 

The goal of this essay is to share a glimpse into who you are, what matters to you, and what you hope to achieve. It’s a chance to share your story. 

Learn more about how to write the Common App essay in our complete guide.

The Multiple Meanings of Point

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (250-650 words)

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

The first obvious strength of this essay is the introduction—it is interesting and snappy and uses enough technical language that we want to figure out what the student is discussing. When writing introductions, students tend to walk the line between intriguing and confusing. It is important that your essay ends up on the intentionally intriguing side of that line—like this student does! We are a little confused at first, but by then introducing the idea of “sparring,” the student grounds their essay.

People often advise young writers to “show, not tell.” This student takes that advice a step further and makes the reader do a bit of work to figure out what they are telling us. Nowhere in this essay does it say “After years of Taekwondo, I made the difficult decision to switch over to ballet.” Rather, the student says “It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers.” How powerful! 

After a lot of emotional language and imagery, this student finishes off their essay with very valuable (and necessary!) reflection. They show admissions officers that they are more than just a good writer—they are a mature and self-aware individual who would be beneficial to a college campus. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values: “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.”

Sparking Self-Awareness

Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (250-650 words)

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

First things first, this Common App essay is well-written. This student is definitely showing the admissions officers her ability to articulate her points beautifully and creatively. It starts with vivid images like that of the “rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free.” And because the prose is flowery (and beautiful!), the writer can get away with metaphors like “I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms” that might sound cheesy without the clear command of the English language that the writer quickly establishes.

In addition to being well-written, this essay is thematically cohesive. It begins with the simple introduction “Fire!” and ends with the following image: “When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.” This full-circle approach leaves readers satisfied and impressed.

While dialogue often comes off as cliche or trite, this student effectively incorporates her family members saying “Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” This is achieved through the apt use of the verb “taunted” to characterize the questioning and through the question’s thematic connection to the earlier image of the student as a rustic princess. Similarly, rhetorical questions can feel randomly placed in essays, but this student’s inclusion of the questions “Was I so dainty?” and “Was I that incapable?” feel perfectly justified after she establishes that she was pondering her failure.

Quite simply, this essay shows how quality writing can make a simple story outstandingly compelling. 

Why This College?

“Why This College?” is one of the most common essay prompts, likely because schools want to understand whether you’d be a good fit and how you’d use their resources.

This essay is one of the more straightforward ones you’ll write for college applications, but you still can and should allow your voice to shine through.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This College?” essay in our guide.

Prompt: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying (650 words).

Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, “caring is the human mode of being.” I have long been inspired by Sister Roach’s Five C’s of Caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests outside of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn’s liberal arts curriculum to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, especially regarding healthcare access. Through courses like “Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals” and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I hope to learn how to better support the Penn LGBT community as well as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

CONSCIENCE. As one of the first people in my family to attend a four-year university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals by sparking thought- provoking, open-minded discussions. I can imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as “Health Care Reform & Future of American Health System” and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environment where students confidently voice their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value system.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn’s BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and hands-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share similar research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high school, I hope to work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, especially minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn’s unique use of simulations to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn’s nursing program allow students to apply their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crisis management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Research opportunities and simulations will develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

COMPASSION. I value giving back through community service, and I have a particular interest in Penn’s Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach fourth and fifth graders in the city about cardiology or lead a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Center. Furthermore, as a feminist who firmly believes in women’s abortion rights, I’d like to join NSRH in order to advocate for women’s health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

CONFIDENCE. All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The Five C’s of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, but they also provide insight into how I want to approach my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can’t wait to start.

This prompt from Penn asks students to tailor their answer to their specific field of study. One great thing that this student does is identify their undergraduate school early, by mentioning “Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics.” You don’t want readers confused or searching through other parts of your application to figure out your major.

With a longer essay like this, it is important to establish structure. Some students organize their essay in a narrative form, using an anecdote from their past or predicting their future at a school. This student uses Roach’s 5 C’s of Caring as a framing device that organizes their essay around values. This works well!

While this essay occasionally loses voice, there are distinct moments where the student’s personality shines through. We see this with phrases like “felt like drinking from a fire hose in the best possible way” and “All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence.” It is important to show off your personality to make your essay stand out. 

Finally, this student does a great job of referencing specific resources about Penn. It’s clear that they have done their research (they’ve even talked to current Quakers). They have dreams and ambitions that can only exist at Penn.

Prompt: What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Coin collector and swimmer. Hungarian and Romanian. Critical and creative thinker. I was drawn to Yale because they don’t limit one’s mind with “or” but rather embrace unison with “and.” 

Wandering through the Beinecke Library, I prepare for my multidisciplinary Energy Studies capstone about the correlation between hedonism and climate change, making it my goal to find implications in environmental sociology. Under the tutelage of Assistant Professor Arielle Baskin-Sommers, I explore the emotional deficits of depression, utilizing neuroimaging to scrutinize my favorite branch of psychology: human perception. At Walden Peer Counseling, I integrate my peer support and active listening skills to foster an empathetic environment for the Yale community. Combining my interests in psychological and environmental studies is why I’m proud to be a Bulldog. 

This answer to the “Why This College” question is great because 1) the student shows their excitement about attending Yale 2) we learn the ways in which attending Yale will help them achieve their goals and 3) we learn their interests and identities.

In this response, you can find a prime example of the “Image of the Future” approach, as the student flashes forward and envisions their life at Yale, using present tense (“I explore,” “I integrate,” “I’m proud”). This approach is valuable if you are trying to emphasize your dedication to a specific school. Readers get the feeling that this student is constantly imagining themselves on campus—it feels like Yale really matters to them.

Starting this image with the Beinecke Library is great because the Beinecke Library only exists at Yale. It is important to tailor “Why This College” responses to each specific school. This student references a program of study, a professor, and an extracurricular that only exist at Yale. Additionally, they connect these unique resources to their interests—psychological and environmental studies.

Finally, we learn about the student (independent of academics) through this response. By the end of their 125 words, we know their hobbies, ethnicities, and social desires, in addition to their academic interests. It can be hard to tackle a 125-word response, but this student shows that it’s possible.

Why This Major?

The goal of this prompt is to understand how you came to be interested in your major and what you plan to do with it. For competitive programs like engineering, this essay helps admissions officers distinguish students who have a genuine passion and are most likely to succeed in the program. This is another more straightforward essay, but you do have a bit more freedom to include relevant anecdotes.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This Major?” essay in our guide.

Why Duke Engineering

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke (250 words).

One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering. Later, in a high school biology class, I learned that engineering didn’t only apply to circuits, but also to medical devices that could improve people’s quality of life. Biomedical engineering allows me to pursue my academic passions and help people at the same time.

Just as biology and engineering interact in biomedical engineering, I am fascinated by interdisciplinary research in my chosen career path. Duke offers unmatched resources, such as DUhatch and The Foundry, that will enrich my engineering education and help me practice creative problem-solving skills. The emphasis on entrepreneurship within these resources will also help me to make a helpful product. Duke’s Bass Connections program also interests me; I firmly believe that the most creative and necessary problem-solving comes by bringing people together from different backgrounds. Through this program, I can use my engineering education to solve complicated societal problems such as creating sustainable surgical tools for low-income countries. Along the way, I can learn alongside experts in the field. Duke’s openness and collaborative culture span across its academic disciplines, making Duke the best place for me to grow both as an engineer and as a social advocate.

This prompt calls for a complex answer. Students must explain both why they want to study engineering and why Duke is the best place for them to study engineering.

This student begins with a nice hook—a simple anecdote about a simple present with profound consequences. They do not fluff up their anecdote with flowery images or emotionally-loaded language; it is what it is, and it is compelling and sweet. As their response continues, they express a particular interest in problem-solving. They position problem-solving as a fundamental part of their interest in engineering (and a fundamental part of their fascination with their childhood toy). This helps readers to learn about the student!

Problem-solving is also the avenue by which they introduce Duke’s resources—DUhatch, The Foundry, and Duke’s Bass Connections program. It is important to notice that the student explains how these resources can help them achieve their future goals—it is not enough to simply identify the resources!

This response is interesting and focused. It clearly answers the prompt, and it feels honest and authentic.

Why Georgia Tech CompSci

Prompt: Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (300 words max)

I held my breath and hit RUN. Yes! A plump white cat jumped out and began to catch the falling pizzas. Although my Fat Cat project seems simple now, it was the beginning of an enthusiastic passion for computer science. Four years and thousands of hours of programming later, that passion has grown into an intense desire to explore how computer science can serve society. Every day, surrounded by technology that can recognize my face and recommend scarily-specific ads, I’m reminded of Uncle Ben’s advice to a young Spiderman: “with great power comes great responsibility”. Likewise, the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed with AI’s far-reaching presence in society; and I believe that digital fairness starts with equality in education.

The unique use of threads at the College of Computing perfectly matches my interests in AI and its potential use in education; the path of combined threads on Intelligence and People gives me the rare opportunity to delve deep into both areas. I’m particularly intrigued by the rich sets of both knowledge-based and data-driven intelligence courses, as I believe AI should not only show correlation of events, but also provide insight for why they occur.

In my four years as an enthusiastic online English tutor, I’ve worked hard to help students overcome both financial and technological obstacles in hopes of bringing quality education to people from diverse backgrounds. For this reason, I’m extremely excited by the many courses in the People thread that focus on education and human-centered technology. I’d love to explore how to integrate AI technology into the teaching process to make education more available, affordable, and effective for people everywhere. And with the innumerable opportunities that Georgia Tech has to offer, I know that I will be able to go further here than anywhere else.

With a “Why This Major” essay, you want to avoid using all of your words to tell a story. That being said, stories are a great way to show your personality and make your essay stand out. This student’s story takes up only their first 21 words, but it positions the student as fun and funny and provides an endearing image of cats and pizzas—who doesn’t love cats and pizzas? There are other moments when the student’s personality shines through also, like the Spiderman reference.

While this pop culture reference adds color, it also is important for what the student is getting at: their passion. They want to go into computer science to address the issues of security and equity that are on the industry’s mind, and they acknowledge these concerns with their comments about “scarily-specific ads” and their statement that “the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed.” This student is self-aware and aware of the state of the industry. This aptitude will be appealing for admissions officers.

The conversation around “threads” is essential for this student’s response because the prompt asks specifically about the major at Georgia Tech and it is the only thing they reference that is specific to Georgia Tech. Threads are great, but this student would have benefitted from expanding on other opportunities specific to Georgia Tech later in the essay, instead of simply inserting “innumerable opportunities.”

Overall, this student shows personality, passion, and aptitude—precisely what admissions officers want to see!

Extracurricular Essay

You’re asked to describe your activities on the Common App, but chances are, you have at least one extracurricular that’s impacted you in a way you can’t explain in 150 characters.

This essay archetype allows you to share how your most important activity shaped you and how you might use those lessons learned in the future. You are definitely welcome to share anecdotes and use a narrative approach, but remember to include some reflection. A common mistake students make is to only describe the activity without sharing how it impacted them.

Learn more about how to write the Extracurricular Essay in our guide.

A Dedicated Musician

My fingers raced across the keys, rapidly striking one after another. My body swayed with the music as my hands raced across the piano. Crashing onto the final chord, it was over as quickly as it had begun. My shoulders relaxed and I couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin. I had just played the Moonlight Sonata’s third movement, a longtime dream of mine. 

Four short months ago, though, I had considered it impossible. The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was 17 pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered. 

But that summer, I found myself ready to take on the challenge. With the end of the school year, I was released from my commitment to practicing for band and solo performances. I was now free to determine my own musical path: either succeed in learning the piece, or let it defeat me for the third summer in a row. 

Over those few months, I spent countless hours practicing the same notes until they burned a permanent place in my memory, creating a soundtrack for even my dreams. Some would say I’ve mastered the piece, but as a musician I know better. Now that I can play it, I am eager to take the next step and add in layers of musicality and expression to make the once-impossible piece even more beautiful.

In this response, the student uses their extracurricular, piano, as a way to emphasize their positive qualities. At the beginning, readers are invited on a journey with the student where we feel their struggle, their intensity, and ultimately their satisfaction. With this descriptive image, we form a valuable connection with the student.

Then, we get to learn about what makes this student special: their dedication and work ethic. The fact that this student describes their desire to be productive during the summer shows an intensity that is appealing to admissions officers. Additionally, the growth mindset that this student emphasizes in their conclusion is appealing to admissions officers.

The Extracurricular Essay can be seen as an opportunity to characterize yourself. This student clearly identified their positive qualities, then used the Extracurricular Essay as a way to articulate them.

A Complicated Relationship with the School Newspaper

My school’s newspaper and I have a typical love-hate relationship; some days I want nothing more than to pass two hours writing and formatting articles, while on others the mere thought of student journalism makes me shiver. Still, as we’re entering our fourth year together, you could consider us relatively stable. We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences; at this point I’ve become comfortable spending an entire Friday night preparing for an upcoming issue, and I hardly even notice the snail-like speed of our computers. I’ve even benefitted from the polygamous nature of our relationship—with twelve other editors, there’s a lot of cooperation involved. Perverse as it may be, from that teamwork I’ve both gained some of my closest friends and improved my organizational and time-management skills. And though leaving it in the hands of new editors next year will be difficult, I know our time together has only better prepared me for future relationships.

This response is great. It’s cute and endearing and, importantly, tells readers a lot about the student who wrote it. Framing this essay in the context of a “love-hate relationship,” then supplementing with comments like “We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences” allows this student to advertise their maturity in a unique and engaging way. 

While Extracurricular Essays can be a place to show how you’ve grown within an activity, they can also be a place to show how you’ve grown through an activity. At the end of this essay, readers think that this student is mature and enjoyable, and we think that their experience with the school newspaper helped make them that way.

Participating in Democracy

Prompt: Research shows that an ability to learn from experiences outside the classroom correlates with success in college. What was your greatest learning experience over the past 4 years that took place outside of the traditional classroom? (250 words) 

The cool, white halls of the Rayburn House office building contrasted with the bustling energy of interns entertaining tourists, staffers rushing to cover committee meetings, and my fellow conference attendees separating to meet with our respective congresspeople. Through civics and US history classes, I had learned about our government, but simply hearing the legislative process outlined didn’t prepare me to navigate it. It was my first political conference, and, after learning about congressional mechanics during breakout sessions, I was lobbying my representative about an upcoming vote crucial to the US-Middle East relationship. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents.

As I sat down with my congresswoman’s chief of staff, I truly felt like a participant in democracy; I was exercising my right to be heard as a young American. Through this educational conference, I developed a plan of action to raise my voice. When I returned home, I signed up to volunteer with the state chapter of the Democratic Party. I sponsored letter-writing campaigns, canvassed for local elections, and even pursued an internship with a state senate campaign. I know that I don’t need to be old enough to vote to effect change. Most importantly, I also know that I want to study government—I want to make a difference for my communities in the United States and the Middle East throughout my career. 

While this prompt is about extracurricular activities, it specifically references the idea that the extracurricular should support the curricular. It is focused on experiential learning for future career success. This student wants to study government, so they chose to describe an experience of hands-on learning within their field—an apt choice!

As this student discusses their extracurricular experience, they also clue readers into their future goals—they want to help Middle Eastern communities. Admissions officers love when students mention concrete plans with a solid foundation. Here, the foundation comes from this student’s ethnicity. With lines like “my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents,” the student assures admissions officers of their emotional connection to their future field.

The strength of this essay comes from its connections. It connects the student’s extracurricular activity to their studies and connects theirs studies to their personal history.

Overcoming Challenges

You’re going to face a lot of setbacks in college, so admissions officers want to make you’re you have the resilience and resolve to overcome them. This essay is your chance to be vulnerable and connect to admissions officers on an emotional level.

Learn more about how to write the Overcoming Challenges Essay in our guide.

The Student Becomes the Master

”Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one. 

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay is great because it has a strong introduction and conclusion. The introduction is notably suspenseful and draws readers into the story. Because we know it is a college essay, we can assume that the student is one of the competitors, but at the same time, this introduction feels intentionally ambiguous as if the writer could be a competitor, a coach, a sibling of a competitor, or anyone else in the situation.

As we continue reading the essay, we learn that the writer is, in fact, the competitor. Readers also learn a lot about the student’s values as we hear their thoughts: “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was.” Ultimately, the conflict and inner and outer turmoil is resolved through the “Same, but Different” ending technique as the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiencing it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is a very compelling strategy!

Growing Sensitivity to Struggles

Prompt: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (650 words)

“You ruined my life!” After months of quiet anger, my brother finally confronted me. To my shame, I had been appallingly ignorant of his pain.

Despite being twins, Max and I are profoundly different. Having intellectual interests from a young age that, well, interested very few of my peers, I often felt out of step in comparison with my highly-social brother. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older.

When my parents learned about The Green Academy, we hoped it would be an opportunity for me to find not only an academically challenging environment, but also – perhaps more importantly – a community. This meant transferring the family from Drumfield to Kingston. And while there was concern about Max, we all believed that given his sociable nature, moving would be far less impactful on him than staying put might be on me.

As it turned out, Green Academy was everything I’d hoped for. I was ecstatic to discover a group of students with whom I shared interests and could truly engage. Preoccupied with new friends and a rigorous course load, I failed to notice that the tables had turned. Max, lost in the fray and grappling with how to make connections in his enormous new high school, had become withdrawn and lonely. It took me until Christmas time – and a massive argument – to recognize how difficult the transition had been for my brother, let alone that he blamed me for it.

Through my own journey of searching for academic peers, in addition to coming out as gay when I was 12, I had developed deep empathy for those who had trouble fitting in. It was a pain I knew well and could easily relate to. Yet after Max’s outburst, my first response was to protest that our parents – not I – had chosen to move us here. In my heart, though, I knew that regardless of who had made the decision, we ended up in Kingston for my benefit. I was ashamed that, while I saw myself as genuinely compassionate, I had been oblivious to the heartache of the person closest to me. I could no longer ignore it – and I didn’t want to.

We stayed up half the night talking, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. Max opened up and shared that it wasn’t just about the move. He told me how challenging school had always been for him, due to his dyslexia, and that the ever-present comparison to me had only deepened his pain.

We had been in parallel battles the whole time and, yet, I only saw that Max was in distress once he experienced problems with which I directly identified. I’d long thought Max had it so easy – all because he had friends. The truth was, he didn’t need to experience my personal brand of sorrow in order for me to relate – he had felt plenty of his own.

My failure to recognize Max’s suffering brought home for me the profound universality and diversity of personal struggle; everyone has insecurities, everyone has woes, and everyone – most certainly – has pain. I am acutely grateful for the conversations he and I shared around all of this, because I believe our relationship has been fundamentally strengthened by a deeper understanding of one another. Further, this experience has reinforced the value of constantly striving for deeper sensitivity to the hidden struggles of those around me. I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story.

Here you can find a prime example that you don’t have to have fabulous imagery or flowery prose to write a successful essay. You just have to be clear and say something that matters. This essay is simple and beautiful. It almost feels like having a conversation with a friend and learning that they are an even better person than you already thought they were.

Through this narrative, readers learn a lot about the writer—where they’re from, what their family life is like, what their challenges were as a kid, and even their sexuality. We also learn a lot about their values—notably, the value they place on awareness, improvement, and consideration of others. Though they never explicitly state it (which is great because it is still crystal clear!), this student’s ending of “I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story” shows that they are constantly striving for improvement and finding lessons anywhere they can get them in life.

Community Service/Impact on the Community

Colleges want students who will positively impact the campus community and go on to make change in the world after they graduate. This essay is similar to the Extracurricular Essay, but you need to focus on a situation where you impacted others. 

Learn more about how to write the Community Service Essay in our guide.

Academic Signing Day

Prompt: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

The scent of eucalyptus caressed my nose in a gentle breeze. Spring had arrived. Senior class activities were here. As a sophomore, I noticed a difference between athletic and academic seniors at my high school; one received recognition while the other received silence. I wanted to create an event celebrating students academically-committed to four-years, community colleges, trades schools, and military programs. This event was Academic Signing Day.

The leadership label, “Events Coordinator,” felt heavy on my introverted mind. I usually was setting up for rallies and spirit weeks, being overlooked around the exuberant nature of my peers. 

I knew a change of mind was needed; I designed flyers, painted posters, presented powerpoints, created student-led committees, and practiced countless hours for my introductory speech. Each committee would play a vital role on event day: one dedicated to refreshments, another to technology, and one for decorations. The fourth-month planning was a laborious joy, but I was still fearful of being in the spotlight. Being acknowledged by hundreds of people was new to me.     

The day was here. Parents filled the stands of the multi-purpose room. The atmosphere was tense; I could feel the angst building in my throat, worried about the impression I would leave. Applause followed each of the 400 students as they walked to their college table, indicating my time to speak. 

I walked up to the stand, hands clammy, expression tranquil, my words echoing to the audience. I thought my speech would be met by the sounds of crickets; instead, smiles lit up the stands, realizing my voice shone through my actions. I was finally coming out of my shell. The floor was met by confetti as I was met by the sincerity of staff, students, and parents, solidifying the event for years to come. 

Academic students were no longer overshadowed. Their accomplishments were equally recognized to their athletic counterparts. The school culture of athletics over academics was no longer imbalanced. Now, every time I smell eucalyptus, it is a friendly reminder that on Academic Signing Day, not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.

This essay answers the prompt nicely because the student describes a contribution with a lasting legacy. Academic Signing Day will affect this high school in the future and it affected this student’s self-development—an idea summed up nicely with their last phrase “not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.”

With Community Service essays, students sometimes take small contributions and stretch them. And, oftentimes, the stretch is very obvious. Here, the student shows us that Academic Signing Day actually mattered by mentioning four months of planning and hundreds of students and parents. They also make their involvement in Academic Signing Day clear—it was their idea and they were in charge, and that’s why they gave the introductory speech.

Use this response as an example of the type of focused contribution that makes for a convincing Community Service Essay.

Climate Change Rally

Prompt: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (technically not community service, but the response works)

Let’s fast-forward time. Strides were made toward racial equality. Healthcare is accessible to all; however, one issue remains. Our aquatic ecosystems are parched with dead coral from ocean acidification. Climate change has prevailed.

Rewind to the present day.

My activism skills are how I express my concerns for the environment. Whether I play on sandy beaches or rest under forest treetops, nature offers me an escape from the haste of the world. When my body is met by trash in the ocean or my nose is met by harmful pollutants, Earth’s pain becomes my own. 

Substituting coffee grinds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale. I often found performative activism to be ineffective when communicating climate concerns. My days of reposting awareness graphics on social media never filled the ambition I had left to put my activism skills to greater use. I decided to share my ecocentric worldview with a coalition of environmentalists and host a climate change rally outside my high school.

Meetings were scheduled where I informed students about the unseen impact they have on the oceans and local habitual communities. My fingers were cramped from all the constant typing and investigating of micro causes of the Pacific Waste Patch, creating reusable flyers, displaying steps people could take from home in reducing their carbon footprint. I aided my fellow environmentalists in translating these flyers into other languages, repeating this process hourly, for five days, up until rally day.  

It was 7:00 AM. The faces of 100 students were shouting, “The climate is changing, why can’t we?” I proudly walked on the dewy grass, grabbing the microphone, repeating those same words. The rally not only taught me efficient methods of communication but it echoed my environmental activism to the masses. The City of Corona would be the first of many cities to see my activism, as more rallies were planned for various parts of SoCal. My once unfulfilled ambition was fueled by my tangible activism, understanding that it takes more than one person to make an environmental impact.

Like with the last example, this student describes a focused event with a lasting legacy. That’s a perfect place to start! By the end of this essay, we have an image of the cause of this student’s passion and the effect of this student’s passion. There are no unanswered questions.

This student supplements their focused topic with engaging and exciting writing to make for an easy-to-read and enjoyable essay. One of the largest strengths of this response is its pace. From the very beginning, we are invited to “fast-forward” and “rewind” with the writer. Then, after we center ourselves in real-time, this writer keeps their quick pace with sentences like “Substituting coffee grounds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale.” Community Service essays run the risk of turning boring, but this unique pacing keeps things interesting.

Having a diverse class provides a richness of different perspectives and encourages open-mindedness among the student body. The Diversity Essay is also somewhat similar to the Extracurricular and Community Service Essays, but it focuses more on what you might bring to the campus community because of your unique experiences or identities.

Learn more about how to write the Diversity Essay in our guide.

A Story of a Young Skater

​​“Everyone follow me!” I smiled at five wide-eyed skaters before pushing off into a spiral. I glanced behind me hopefully, only to see my students standing frozen like statues, the fear in their eyes as clear as the ice they swayed on. “Come on!” I said encouragingly, but the only response I elicited was the slow shake of their heads. My first day as a Learn-to-Skate coach was not going as planned. 

But amid my frustration, I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater. At seven, I had been fascinated by Olympic performers who executed thrilling high jumps and dizzying spins with apparent ease, and I dreamed to one day do the same. My first few months on skates, however, sent these hopes crashing down: my attempts at slaloms and toe-loops were shadowed by a stubborn fear of falling, which even the helmet, elbow pads, and two pairs of mittens I had armed myself with couldn’t mitigate. Nonetheless, my coach remained unfailingly optimistic, motivating me through my worst spills and teaching me to find opportunities in failures. With his encouragement, I learned to push aside my fears and attack each jump with calm and confidence; it’s the hope that I can help others do the same that now inspires me to coach.

I remember the day a frustrated staff member directed Oliver, a particularly hesitant young skater, toward me, hoping that my patience and steady encouragement might help him improve. Having stood in Oliver’s skates not much earlier myself, I completely empathized with his worries but also saw within him the potential to overcome his fears and succeed. 

To alleviate his anxiety, I held Oliver’s hand as we inched around the rink, cheering him on at every turn. I soon found though, that this only increased his fear of gliding on his own, so I changed my approach, making lessons as exciting as possible in hopes that he would catch the skating bug and take off. In the weeks that followed, we held relay races, played “freeze-skate” and “ice-potato”, and raced through obstacle courses; gradually, with each slip and subsequent success, his fear began to abate. I watched Oliver’s eyes widen in excitement with every skill he learned, and not long after, he earned his first skating badge. Together we celebrated this milestone, his ecstasy fueling my excitement and his pride mirroring my own. At that moment, I was both teacher and student, his progress instilling in me the importance of patience and a positive attitude. 

It’s been more than ten years since I bundled up and stepped onto the ice for the first time. Since then, my tolerance for the cold has remained stubbornly low, but the rest of me has certainly changed. In sharing my passion for skating, I have found a wonderful community of eager athletes, loving parents, and dedicated coaches from whom I have learned invaluable lessons and wisdom. My fellow staffers have been with me, both as friends and colleagues, and the relationships I’ve formed have given me far more poise, confidence, and appreciation for others. Likewise, my relationships with parents have given me an even greater gratitude for the role they play: no one goes to the rink without a parent behind the wheel! 

Since that first lesson, I have mentored dozens of children, and over the years, witnessed tentative steps transform into powerful glides and tears give way to delighted grins. What I have shared with my students has been among the greatest joys of my life, something I will cherish forever. It’s funny: when I began skating, what pushed me through the early morning practices was the prospect of winning an Olympic medal. Now, what excites me is the chance to work with my students, to help them grow, and to give back to the sport that has brought me so much happiness. 

This response is a great example of how Diversity doesn’t have to mean race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, or ability. Diversity can mean whatever you want it to mean—whatever unique experience(s) you have to bring to the table!

A major strength of this essay comes in its narrative organization. When reading this first paragraph, we feel for the young skaters and understand their fear—skating sounds scary! Then, because the writer sets us up to feel this empathy, the transition to the second paragraph where the student describes their empathy for the young skaters is particularly powerful. It’s like we are all in it together! The student’s empathy for the young skaters also serves as an outstanding, seamless transition to the applicant discussing their personal journey with skating: “I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater.”

This essay positions the applicant as a grounded and caring individual. They are caring towards the young skaters—changing their teaching style to try to help the young skaters and feeling the young skaters’ emotions with them—but they are also appreciative to those who helped them as they reference their fellow staffers and parents. This shows great maturity—a favorable quality in the eyes of an admissions officer.

At the end of the essay, we know a lot about this student and are convinced that they would be a good addition to a college campus!

Finding Community in the Rainforest

Prompt: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had to help us understand you better—perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background—we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke (250 words).

I never understood the power of community until I left home to join seven strangers in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Although we flew in from distant corners of the U.S., we shared a common purpose: immersing ourselves in our passion for protecting the natural world.

Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns. My classmates debated the feasibility of Trump’s wall, not the deteriorating state of our planet. Contrastingly, these seven strangers delighted in bird-watching, brightened at the mention of medicinal tree sap, and understood why I once ran across a four-lane highway to retrieve discarded beer cans. Their histories barely resembled mine, yet our values aligned intimately. We did not hesitate to joke about bullet ants, gush about the versatility of tree bark, or discuss the destructive consequences of materialism. Together, we let our inner tree huggers run free.

In the short life of our little community, we did what we thought was impossible. By feeding on each other’s infectious tenacity, we cultivated an atmosphere that deepened our commitment to our values and empowered us to speak out on behalf of the environment. After a week of stimulating conversations and introspective revelations about engaging people from our hometowns in environmental advocacy, we developed a shared determination to devote our lives to this cause.

As we shared a goodbye hug, my new friend whispered, “The world needs saving. Someone’s gotta do it.” For the first time, I believed that someone could be me.

This response is so wholesome and relatable. We all have things that we just need to geek out over and this student expresses the joy that came when they found a community where they could geek out about the environment. Passion is fundamental to university life and should find its way into successful applications.

Like the last response, this essay finds strength in the fact that readers feel for the student. We get a little bit of backstory about where they come from and how they felt silenced—“Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns”—, so it’s easy to feel joy for them when they get set free.

This student displays clear values: community, ecoconsciousness, dedication, and compassion. An admissions officer who reads Diversity essays is looking for students with strong values and a desire to contribute to a university community—sounds like this student!  

Political/Global Issues

Colleges want to build engaged citizens, and the Political/Global Issues Essay allows them to better understand what you care about and whether your values align with theirs. In this essay, you’re most commonly asked to describe an issue, why you care about it, and what you’ve done or hope to do to address it. 

Learn more about how to write the Political/Global Issues Essay in our guide.

Note: this prompt is not a typical political/global issues essay, but the essay itself would be a strong response to a political/global issues prompt.

Fighting Violence Against Women

Prompt: Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay. (250-650 words)

“One of the great challenges of our time is that the disparities we face today have more complex causes and point less straightforwardly to solutions.” 

– Omar Wasow, assistant professor of politics, Princeton University. This quote is taken from Professor Wasow’s January 2014 speech at the Martin Luther King Day celebration at Princeton University. 

The air is crisp and cool, nipping at my ears as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky, starless. It is a Friday night in downtown Corpus Christi, a rare moment of peace in my home city filled with the laughter of strangers and colorful lights of street vendors. But I cannot focus. 

My feet stride quickly down the sidewalk, my hand grasps on to the pepper spray my parents gifted me for my sixteenth birthday. My eyes ignore the surrounding city life, focusing instead on a pair of tall figures walking in my direction. I mentally ask myself if they turned with me on the last street corner. I do not remember, so I pick up the pace again. All the while, my mind runs over stories of young women being assaulted, kidnapped, and raped on the street. I remember my mother’s voice reminding me to keep my chin up, back straight, eyes and ears alert. 

At a young age, I learned that harassment is a part of daily life for women. I fell victim to period-shaming when I was thirteen, received my first catcall when I was fourteen, and was nonconsensually grabbed by a man soliciting on the street when I was fifteen. For women, assault does not just happen to us— its gory details leave an imprint in our lives, infecting the way we perceive the world. And while movements such as the Women’s March and #MeToo have given victims of sexual violence a voice, harassment still manifests itself in the lives of millions of women across the nation. Symbolic gestures are important in spreading awareness but, upon learning that a surprising number of men are oblivious to the frequent harassment that women experience, I now realize that addressing this complex issue requires a deeper level of activism within our local communities. 

Frustrated with incessant cases of harassment against women, I understood at sixteen years old that change necessitates action. During my junior year, I became an intern with a judge whose campaign for office focused on a need for domestic violence reform. This experience enabled me to engage in constructive dialogue with middle and high school students on how to prevent domestic violence. As I listened to young men uneasily admit their ignorance and young women bravely share their experiences in an effort to spread awareness, I learned that breaking down systems of inequity requires changing an entire culture. I once believed that the problem of harassment would dissipate after politicians and celebrities denounce inappropriate behavior to their global audience. But today, I see that effecting large-scale change comes from the “small” lessons we teach at home and in schools. Concerning women’s empowerment, the effects of Hollywood activism do not trickle down enough. Activism must also trickle up and it depends on our willingness to fight complacency. 

Finding the solution to the long-lasting problem of violence against women is a work-in-progress, but it is a process that is persistently moving. In my life, for every uncomfortable conversation that I bridge, I make the world a bit more sensitive to the unspoken struggle that it is to be a woman. I am no longer passively waiting for others to let me live in a world where I can stand alone under the expanse of darkness on a city street, utterly alone and at peace. I, too, deserve the night sky.

As this student addresses an important social issue, she makes the reasons for her passion clear—personal experiences. Because she begins with an extended anecdote, readers are able to feel connected to the student and become invested in what she has to say.

Additionally, through her powerful ending—“I, too, deserve the night sky”—which connects back to her beginning— “as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky”—this student illustrates a mastery of language. Her engagement with other writing techniques that further her argument, like the emphasis on time—“gifted to me for my sixteenth birthday,” “when I was thirteen,” “when I was fourteen,” etc.—also illustrates her mastery of language.

While this student proves herself a good writer, she also positions herself as motivated and ambitious. She turns her passions into action and fights for them. That is just what admissions officers want to see in a Political/Global issues essay!

Where to Get Feedback on Your College Essays

Once you’ve written your college essays, you’ll want to get feedback on them. Since these essays are important to your chances of acceptance, you should prepare to go through several rounds of edits. 

Not sure who to ask for feedback? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review resource. You can get comments from another student going through the process and also edit other students’ essays to improve your own writing. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

50 Essay Examples with High-Scoring Answers - PTE Academic

The Essay is the final question in part 1 of the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.

You will be given a prompt and you have 20 minutes to write an essay response that is 200 to 300 words long. The prompt usually has a sentence that introduces the topic. Then, you will be asked a question or a few to guide your response.

In this article, I’m going to provide high-scoring answers to 50 example essay prompts.

Example Essays with Answers

With the rise of digital media, books are becoming less significant in everyday life. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your argument with examples and reasons.

The statement that books are becoming less significant in everyday life with the rise of digital media captures a current trend but does not fully encompass the continued relevance and evolution of books in our society. While it is true that digital media has altered how we consume information and entertainment, it has not rendered books obsolete.

Firstly, digital media, including ebooks, audiobooks, and online articles, has expanded the accessibility and convenience of reading. People can now carry entire libraries on their devices, making reading possible anywhere and at any time. This shift to digital does represent a change in the medium through which many people read, but it doesn't necessarily diminish the importance of books; rather, it transforms their format. For example, the increasing popularity of audiobooks has opened up the world of literature to busy commuters and those who may struggle with traditional printed text.

Furthermore, despite the digital surge, physical books continue to hold a unique appeal. Many readers prefer the tactile experience of holding a book and the absence of screen glare. Physical books do not require batteries or an internet connection, making them particularly valuable in areas with limited digital infrastructure. Additionally, books as physical objects can have sentimental value and aesthetic qualities that enhance personal libraries or serve as meaningful gifts.

In conclusion, although digital media has changed how we access and consume literature, it has not decreased the significance of books in everyday life. Instead, it has broadened the ways in which literature can be appreciated and accessed, indicating an evolution rather than a decline in the importance of books.

With the increasing prevalence of fast food, health issues related to diet have become more common. Should there be stricter regulations on fast food restaurants? Support your argument with reasons and examples.

In the face of rising health issues associated with diet, largely propelled by the widespread availability of fast food, there is a compelling argument for the implementation of stricter regulations on fast food restaurants. Primarily, such regulations could directly address the nutritional content of the foods offered, ensuring healthier options are available and prominent. This could include mandatory calorie counts on menus and restrictions on certain harmful ingredients like trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease.

Moreover, stricter regulations could also mandate fast food chains to provide clear and accessible nutritional information, empowering consumers to make more informed choices about their food consumption. For instance, detailed descriptions of ingredients and potential allergens could prevent health risks among individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies.

In addition, implementing regulations on marketing practices, especially those targeted at children, could reduce the appeal of unhealthy fast food options to vulnerable groups. The compelling nature of fast food advertising significantly influences eating habits, particularly in children, leading to poor dietary choices that carry into adulthood.

By enforcing these measures, not only could the immediate health of consumers improve, but it could also instigate a broader cultural shift towards healthier eating practices across society.

The arts (music, visual arts, theater) are as important as the sciences in education. How far do you agree with this statement? Justify your viewpoint with examples from your own experiences or observations.

I strongly agree that the arts are as essential as the sciences in education, as they contribute uniquely to the development of well-rounded individuals. Integrating arts into the curriculum fosters creativity, emotional expression, and cultural awareness, which are vital in today’s diverse society.

From my own experience, participation in school theater productions not only honed my public speaking skills but also enhanced my ability to work collaboratively within a team. These are practical skills that are valuable in any professional environment, not just in the arts. Moreover, the confidence I gained from performing in front of an audience has been instrumental in other areas of my academic and personal life, such as during presentations in science classes or leading group projects.

Observationally, I’ve noticed that students who engage in artistic activities seem more adept at problem-solving and thinking outside the box—skills that are crucial in scientific fields as well. For instance, a friend who excels in both music and mathematics often explains how studying music theory has improved her ability to recognize patterns and solve complex equations, suggesting a complementary relationship between these disciplines.

Therefore, I believe that sidelining the arts in favor of a more science-heavy curriculum could hinder the development of diverse skills that are applicable across various fields. Both the arts and sciences are fundamental to fostering a holistic educational environment that prepares students for the multifaceted challenges of the future.

Privacy in the digital age is increasingly becoming a myth. How far do you agree with this statement? Discuss the implications and provide examples to support your viewpoint.

I agree significantly with the statement that privacy in the digital age is increasingly becoming a myth. In today’s world, the proliferation of digital technologies means that vast amounts of personal data are collected, stored, and analyzed by various entities, often without the explicit consent of individuals.

For instance, social media platforms gather data on users' browsing habits, personal interests, and even location histories to tailor advertisements and content. This data collection is so pervasive that escaping it completely is nearly impossible unless one entirely opts out of using digital services, which is impractical for most people.

Moreover, the use of smartphones and other connected devices has led to a situation where privacy breaches are not just possible but are occurring with alarming regularity. Hackers can gain unauthorized access to personal information, leading to identity theft and financial fraud. Companies might also suffer data breaches that expose sensitive user information.

The implications of this erosion of privacy are profound. It affects individuals’ sense of security and can lead to a chilling effect on free expression online. People may feel less inclined to share honest opinions or explore sensitive topics if they fear that their activities are being monitored.

In conclusion, while technology has brought many benefits, the cost to personal privacy is a significant concern. The digital age indeed challenges the notion of privacy, turning it into something that feels more like a privilege than a guaranteed right.

Globalization brings more positive impacts than negative ones on cultures around the world. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your view with examples and reasons.

I agree that globalization tends to have more positive impacts than negative ones on cultures around the world. Globalization encourages the exchange of ideas, traditions, and values among diverse cultures, leading to greater understanding and cooperation among people.

One positive impact of globalization is the increased exposure to different cultures, which can enrich a society. For example, through globalization, culinary traditions from around the world have been introduced to different countries. This means that people can enjoy a wide variety of foods, such as sushi from Japan, tacos from Mexico, or curry from India, right in their hometowns. This not only enhances the culinary experience but also promotes appreciation and respect for other cultures.

Another benefit of globalization is the spread of technology and innovation. When cultures collaborate, they share technologies that can improve lives. For instance, many developing countries have experienced rapid technological advances due to globalization, such as access to smartphones and the internet. This connectivity helps bridge cultural gaps and fosters global awareness among populations.

However, it is important to acknowledge that globalization can also lead to the dilution of cultural identities if not managed properly. When cultures adopt aspects of others too rapidly, they may lose parts of their own traditions and heritage. Nonetheless, with conscious efforts to preserve cultural uniqueness while embracing beneficial exchanges, globalization can significantly enrich cultures rather than diminish them.

In conclusion, while there are some drawbacks, the positive impacts of globalization on cultures around the world generally outweigh the negatives, leading to a more interconnected and harmonious global society.

Renewable energy should completely replace fossil fuels in the next 20 years. Discuss the feasibility and implications of this statement. Provide arguments and examples to support your viewpoint.

The idea of replacing fossil fuels entirely with renewable energy within the next 20 years is ambitious and reflects a growing concern about environmental issues and climate change. Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power offer numerous benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions and diminishing pollution, which are crucial for sustaining our environment.

However, the complete replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy in just two decades poses several challenges. First, the infrastructure for renewable energy is not yet fully developed in many parts of the world. Building this infrastructure, including solar farms, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants, requires significant investment and time. Moreover, the technology for storing energy generated from renewable sources is not as advanced as needed for consistent and reliable energy supply, especially in regions with fluctuating weather conditions.

Additionally, the global economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Many industries use fossil fuels not only for energy but also as raw materials in products like plastics and pharmaceuticals. Transitioning these sectors to alternative materials could be complex and costly.

While aiming to replace fossil fuels entirely in 20 years might not be fully feasible, a gradual transition with increasing reliance on renewable sources is more practical. This approach allows for the development of necessary technologies and infrastructure, and provides time for industries to adapt to new methods, making the shift towards renewable energy sustainable and less disruptive to the global economy.

Public transportation should be made free to reduce environmental pollution. Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of this policy. Use examples to support your argument.

Making public transportation free could offer significant environmental benefits. Primarily, it could lead to a decrease in the number of cars on the road. As public transit becomes a more attractive option due to being cost-free, more people might choose it over driving their personal vehicles. This shift could reduce traffic congestion and the emission of pollutants like carbon dioxide, which are major contributors to air pollution and climate change.

Additionally, free public transit could be particularly beneficial in urban areas where traffic congestion is a common issue. For example, in cities like New York or London, where public transport systems are already heavily utilized, making them free could encourage even more commuters to leave their cars at home, further decreasing environmental pollution.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. One major concern is funding. Public transportation systems are expensive to operate, and without fare revenue, money would need to come from other sources, such as increased taxes. This could be unpopular among taxpayers who do not use public transit regularly.

Moreover, if public transportation were free, there could be a surge in usage, potentially leading to overcrowded trains and buses. This could result in a decline in service quality and comfort, possibly deterring people from using public transit despite the lack of cost.

In summary, while offering free public transportation could help reduce environmental pollution and ease urban congestion, it also poses challenges related to funding and capacity.

Mental health awareness should be integrated into school curriculums from a young age. How far do you agree with this statement? Support your opinion with reasons and examples from your own experiences.

I strongly agree with the statement that mental health awareness should be integrated into school curriculums from a young age. Educating children about mental health can foster a positive and supportive environment, where mental well-being is prioritized alongside physical health.

Introducing mental health awareness in schools can equip children with the knowledge to identify and understand their emotions and the emotions of others. This understanding can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. For example, in my own school years, we rarely discussed mental health, which led to a lot of misconceptions and a general lack of support among peers facing mental health challenges.

Furthermore, incorporating mental health education into the curriculum can provide students with crucial coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. In my experience, many students struggle with stress due to academic pressures but lack the tools to manage it effectively. If I had been taught strategies for dealing with stress in school, I believe I would have been better prepared to handle academic and personal challenges.

Lastly, mental health education can promote a healthier future generation. Children who learn about mental health from a young age are more likely to grow into adults who prioritize their mental well-being, seek help when needed, and support others in their community.

Overall, integrating mental health awareness into the school curriculum is essential for fostering a well-rounded, supportive, and empathetic society.

Education systems should focus more on practical skills than academic knowledge in the modern world. How far do you agree with this assertion? Provide reasons and examples to support your opinion.

In the modern world, the debate between prioritizing practical skills over academic knowledge in education systems is significant. I agree to a large extent that education should focus more on practical skills, as these are crucial in preparing students for real-world challenges.

Firstly, practical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical abilities directly apply to various occupational fields. For example, a mechanic uses hands-on skills to repair vehicles, which he would learn more effectively through practical instruction rather than theoretical knowledge alone. Similarly, a nurse benefits more from simulated practice and real-life internships than just textbook information.

Secondly, focusing on practical skills in education systems can make learning more engaging for students. When learners see the direct application of their studies, it can enhance their interest and motivation. For instance, when students engage in projects or experiments, they often find the lessons more memorable and relevant compared to traditional lecture-based learning.

Moreover, in today's rapidly changing job market, employers increasingly value practical skills. They are looking for candidates who can perform tasks effectively from day one, rather than those who only have theoretical knowledge.

While academic knowledge remains important for foundational understanding and critical analysis, integrating more practical skills into the curriculum prepares students better for future careers and daily life. Therefore, education systems should adapt to include a greater emphasis on these practical skills.

With the increasing globalization of business, many people are required to work in countries other than their own. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working abroad? Discuss with reference to cultural and economic aspects.

One major advantage is the opportunity for cultural exchange. Individuals working abroad immerse themselves in a new culture, learn a new language, and experience daily life in a different context. This broadens their perspectives, fosters personal growth, and enhances their adaptability and communication skills. Economically, working abroad can offer higher salaries, better employment opportunities, and the chance to work in industries that may not be available or developed in one’s home country. This can lead to professional advancement and financial benefits.

However, there are notable disadvantages as well. On a cultural level, expatriates might face significant challenges such as language barriers, homesickness, and cultural shock. These factors can lead to feelings of isolation or difficulty in adjusting to the new environment. Economically, while one might earn more, the cost of living in a foreign country can be higher. Additionally, job security can be a concern, especially in countries where foreign workers might be the first to face layoffs during economic downturns.

In conclusion, working abroad can be immensely rewarding but also challenging. The cultural exposure and economic benefits are significant, yet they come with the potential for cultural disorientation and financial uncertainties. Each individual’s experience will vary depending on their circumstances and the country they choose to work in.

The growth of online education has transformed the way students learn around the world. Do the benefits of studying online outweigh the disadvantages? Support your opinion with specific examples and evidence.

The growth of online education has indeed transformed the educational landscape globally, making learning more accessible and flexible than ever before. This transformation brings numerous benefits, but also several disadvantages, which need to be considered.

One of the primary benefits of studying online is accessibility. Students from remote or underserved areas can access quality education that previously might have been out of reach due to geographic or economic barriers. For example, a student in a rural village can now take courses from prestigious universities without the need to relocate.

Another significant advantage is flexibility. Online education allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This is particularly beneficial for those who need to balance other responsibilities, such as work or family care, with their studies. It enables them to attend classes and complete assignments whenever it is most convenient, even if that means engaging in learning activities late at night or early in the morning.

However, online education also has its disadvantages. The lack of face-to-face interaction can hinder the development of interpersonal skills and reduce the opportunities for spontaneous discussion and deeper understanding that physical classroom settings offer. Additionally, students may face challenges with self-discipline and motivation without the structured environment of a traditional classroom.

In conclusion, while online education has disadvantages, its benefits of accessibility and flexibility make it a valuable option for many learners, allowing education to be more inclusive and adaptable to individual needs.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Discuss the role that individual actions can play in combating climate change. Are these actions enough to make a significant difference, or should the focus be on governmental and corporate policies?

Climate change represents a critical challenge that affects everyone globally. It's clear that addressing this issue requires action at various levels, including individual, corporate, and governmental.

Individual actions, such as reducing energy consumption, recycling, and using public transportation, are important. These efforts can lead to significant environmental benefits. For example, when people choose to recycle or cut down on waste, they help reduce pollution and conserve resources. Similarly, opting for public transport or carpooling can decrease the number of vehicles on the road, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

However, while these actions are beneficial and necessary, they may not be sufficient on their own to combat climate change effectively. This is because individual choices can only do so much when larger structural and systemic issues persist. For instance, if the energy provided to homes and businesses is still largely sourced from fossil fuels, individual efforts to reduce consumption will still indirectly support these harmful industries.

Therefore, the focus should also strongly be on governmental and corporate policies. Governments have the capacity to enact laws and regulations that require businesses to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy sources. Corporations, which are major contributors to pollution, must also be held accountable and encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices.

In conclusion, while individual actions are a part of the solution to climate change, they need to be supported by robust governmental and corporate policies to truly make a significant impact.

Public art plays an important role in cities around the world. What are the benefits of investing in public art, and how does it impact communities? Discuss with examples from different cities that you are familiar with or have researched.

Public art significantly enhances urban environments worldwide, offering numerous benefits to communities. By investing in public artworks, cities can transform mundane spaces into vibrant areas that foster community engagement and cultural expression.

One primary benefit of public art is its ability to beautify cities. For example, sculptures and murals in places like New York City's High Line Park convert an old rail line into a captivating outdoor gallery, making the area more attractive to both locals and tourists. This beautification helps improve the overall atmosphere of urban spaces, making them more welcoming and enjoyable.

Additionally, public art serves as a platform for cultural expression and education. In Melbourne, Australia, the city’s laneways are adorned with ever-changing street art, showcasing works that reflect current social issues and cultural trends. This not only enriches the urban aesthetic but also stimulates discussions among viewers, promoting a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives within the community.

Public art also boosts local economies by attracting tourism. Cities like Lisbon have integrated public art into their tourism strategies, drawing visitors eager to explore unique installations and vibrant street art scenes. This influx of tourists supports local businesses and creates job opportunities, enhancing economic vitality.

In conclusion, investing in public art brings multiple advantages to cities, including beautification, cultural expression, and economic growth. It enriches urban life, making cities not just places to live but places to experience and enjoy.

The rise of remote work has changed how many people work. Discuss the impact of working from home on productivity and work-life balance. Include arguments and examples to support your point of view.

The rise of remote work has significantly transformed the landscape of employment, affecting productivity and work-life balance. On one hand, working from home has led to increased productivity for many. Without the need to commute, employees can save time and start their workday feeling fresher and more focused. Additionally, the flexibility to design their workspace and schedule allows workers to operate during their peak productivity hours, leading to more efficient workdays.

For example, a typical office worker might have spent an hour commuting each way to the office; now, that time can be used for work or personal activities, effectively extending the day without adding stress. This flexibility often results in higher quality of work and faster completion of tasks.

On the other hand, remote work can blur the boundaries between personal life and work, potentially leading to poor work-life balance. The constant presence of work in a home environment can make it difficult to 'switch off' and fully engage in personal activities. Some individuals might find themselves working longer hours than they would in an office because their work is always accessible.

For instance, a parent working from home might continue to answer work emails during family time, finding it hard to fully detach from work responsibilities. This can lead to burnout and reduced overall well-being, as personal time is encroached upon by work demands.

Overall, while remote work offers the advantage of flexibility and potential for increased productivity, it also poses challenges to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Urbanization is a trend seen in nearly every country. What are the primary benefits and challenges associated with living in large cities as opposed to rural areas? Use specific examples to illustrate your points.

Urbanization, the migration of people from rural to urban areas, presents both benefits and challenges for those living in large cities.

One of the primary benefits of urban living is the accessibility to amenities and services. Large cities often offer more job opportunities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and entertainment options than rural areas. For example, a resident of a large city might have the convenience of using public transportation to commute to work, access to diverse cultural festivals, and multiple choices for shopping and dining.

However, urbanization also comes with significant challenges. One major issue is the high cost of living. Housing in large cities can be much more expensive than in rural areas, making it difficult for many people to afford comfortable living spaces. For instance, a small apartment in a major city like New York or London can cost as much as a large house in a rural area.

Additionally, large cities often struggle with pollution and overcrowding. The concentration of vehicles, factories, and large populations can lead to poor air quality and congested streets. This not only affects daily life by increasing commute times but can also have long-term health impacts on the residents.

In conclusion, while urban areas offer enhanced access to services and job opportunities, they also pose economic and environmental challenges. The decision to live in a city or a rural area often depends on personal priorities and lifestyle choices.

The impact of social media on mental health is a topic of growing concern. Analyze how social media usage affects mental well-being, particularly among adolescents. Discuss both the positive and negative aspects, supported by personal experiences and observations.

The impact of social media on mental health, especially among adolescents, is a complex issue with both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, social media provides a platform for young people to connect with friends and family, share experiences, and express themselves creatively. It can be especially beneficial for those who feel isolated geographically or socially, as it offers a way to communicate with others who share similar interests and experiences.

However, there are also significant negative impacts associated with social media use. One of the main concerns is the pressure to maintain a perfect image online, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. Adolescents may compare themselves to others and feel inadequate if their own lives do not seem as exciting or happy as what they see on their feeds. Additionally, the need to constantly check updates and respond to messages can lead to addiction and reduce the time spent on other important activities, such as studying or sleeping.

From personal observation, it is clear that excessive use of social media can affect young people's mental health. I have seen peers who are deeply affected by the comments and likes they receive, basing their self-worth on these digital validations. This dependence on social media approval can lead to emotional disturbances, highlighting the need for balance and awareness in its use. In conclusion, while social media has its benefits, it is vital to use it wisely and maintain a healthy perspective on its role in our lives.

Multilingualism is increasingly viewed as a necessary skill in the global marketplace. Discuss the advantages and potential challenges of raising children to be bilingual or multilingual. Include personal examples or observations, if relevant.

Multilingualism, the ability to communicate in multiple languages, is becoming an essential skill in today's interconnected world. Raising children to be bilingual or multilingual can offer numerous advantages. Firstly, children who learn multiple languages often develop better cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. This enhanced cognitive flexibility helps them in various areas of learning throughout their lives. Additionally, multilingual children typically have a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures, which is invaluable in our diverse global society.

However, there are also challenges associated with raising bilingual or multilingual children. One potential difficulty is the initial confusion that might occur in young children as they try to differentiate and switch between languages. This can sometimes lead to a temporary delay in language proficiency in one or both languages. Another challenge is maintaining the child's interest and proficiency in each language, especially if one language is less spoken in their everyday environment. For instance, a child learning a language that is not spoken by their peers may feel less motivated to use it.

From personal observation, children who grow up in a bilingual household often find innovative ways to merge their languages, creating a rich, unique way of expressing themselves. Although there are challenges, the long-term benefits of raising multilingual children—such as enhanced cultural empathy and better career prospects in a globalized economy—far outweigh the initial hurdles.

The influence of technology on children's development is a topic of growing interest and concern. Discuss the positive and negative effects of early exposure to technology on children's cognitive, social, and physical development.

Technology has a profound impact on children's development, encompassing cognitive, social, and physical aspects. Starting with the positives, technology enhances cognitive development by providing interactive and engaging educational content. Apps and games designed for learning stimulate problem-solving skills and creativity. Children can access a vast array of information that supports diverse learning experiences, aiding in knowledge acquisition and mental growth.

However, technology also presents several challenges. Excessive screen time can hinder cognitive development by reducing attention spans and impairing learning abilities. When children spend too much time on devices, they may struggle to concentrate on longer tasks or complex problems.

Socially, technology offers benefits such as connecting with peers across the globe and enhancing communication skills through interactive and social media platforms. It allows children to build relationships and learn about different cultures, fostering a sense of global community.

Conversely, early exposure to technology can negatively affect social skills. Physical interactions are often replaced by digital communication, which can limit children's ability to develop empathy and understand non-verbal cues. This might lead to isolation and difficulties in forming real-life relationships.

Physically, technology encourages sedentary behavior, which can lead to health issues like obesity and poor posture. Children who are glued to screens for extended periods may not engage enough in physical activities, which are crucial for healthy growth and development.

In conclusion, while technology provides valuable educational tools and connectivity, it is essential to balance its use to safeguard and nurture all aspects of a child's development.

Evaluate the impact of technology on the role of teachers in the classroom. With the increasing use of digital tools and resources, how might the role of teachers evolve in the next decade?

Technology has significantly influenced the role of teachers in the classroom and is poised to further alter their responsibilities and methods in the coming decade. Traditionally, teachers have been the primary source of knowledge, delivering information directly to students. However, with the advent of digital tools and resources, this dynamic is shifting.

One major impact of technology is the transformation of teachers into facilitators rather than sole providers of knowledge. With abundant information available online, teachers are increasingly guiding students on how to access, assess, and apply this information effectively. This involves teaching critical thinking and digital literacy skills, which are essential in navigating the vast resources available on the internet.

Furthermore, technology allows for more personalized learning experiences. Teachers can use software and applications to track individual student performance, identify areas of need, and tailor educational content accordingly. This shift can help meet diverse learning needs within the classroom, making education more inclusive and effective.

In the next decade, the role of teachers is likely to evolve to incorporate more mentorship and coaching. As educational tools become more sophisticated, teachers will spend less time on traditional lecturing and more on supporting students' individual learning journeys. This could lead to a more collaborative and interactive classroom environment where teachers facilitate discussions and project-based learning, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

Overall, technology does not diminish the teacher's role but rather enriches it, requiring them to adapt new skills and methods to better serve their students.

Analyze the importance of continuing education in a person's career. How can professionals stay competitive in their fields through lifelong learning?  Should employers support ongoing education for their employees?

Continuing education is crucial for personal and professional development, enabling individuals to stay relevant and competitive in their careers. As industries evolve due to advancements in technology and changes in market demands, the skills that were once sufficient may no longer be adequate. Lifelong learning allows professionals to keep up with new techniques, technologies, and industry standards, ensuring they remain valuable to their employers and on the cutting edge of their fields.

Professionals can engage in lifelong learning in various ways, such as attending workshops, enrolling in courses, or obtaining certifications that are related to their fields. This not only broadens their knowledge and skills but also demonstrates a commitment to their profession and a willingness to invest in their own growth.

Employers play a significant role in supporting ongoing education for their employees. By encouraging and sometimes funding further education and professional development opportunities, employers benefit from a workforce that is skilled, innovative, and efficient. This support can be provided in the form of tuition reimbursement, time off for educational purposes, or access to training programs.

Ultimately, ongoing education is beneficial for both employees and employers. It leads to improved job performance, fosters innovation, and contributes to job satisfaction and loyalty. Therefore, it is in the interest of employers to invest in the continuous education of their workforce.

Cultural heritage is important for national identity. To what extent do you think governments should invest in preserving cultural landmarks? Support your view with examples and reasons.

Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in shaping national identity by connecting people to their history and traditions. Governments should invest significantly in preserving cultural landmarks for several reasons.

Firstly, cultural landmarks are physical representations of a country's history and achievements. They remind citizens of their shared past, fostering a sense of unity and pride. For example, historic buildings, monuments, and sites tell the story of a nation's journey through time. Without these landmarks, future generations might lose touch with their heritage and identity.

Secondly, preserving cultural landmarks can boost tourism, which benefits the economy. Tourists are often attracted to countries with rich histories and well-preserved sites. For instance, the preservation of ancient ruins or historic districts can draw visitors from around the world, creating jobs and generating revenue for local businesses.

Additionally, maintaining cultural landmarks can also support education and cultural awareness. Schools and universities can use these sites as real-life classrooms, allowing students to learn about their heritage in an engaging way. This hands-on experience can make history more tangible and memorable for learners.

However, it is important for governments to balance their investments. While preserving cultural landmarks is essential, they should also ensure that funds are allocated to other critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. By striking the right balance, governments can protect their cultural heritage without neglecting other societal needs.

In conclusion, governments should invest in preserving cultural landmarks to maintain national identity, boost tourism, and support education. These efforts help ensure that future generations remain connected to their heritage while benefiting from the economic and educational advantages such preservation brings.

Education systems around the world are emphasizing STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math). Should there be equal emphasis on humanities and social sciences? Explain your viewpoint with examples from your own experiences or observations.

Education systems globally are prioritizing STEM subjects to prepare students for the modern workforce. While STEM education is undoubtedly important, I believe that humanities and social sciences deserve equal emphasis. These fields offer critical insights into human behavior, culture, ethics, and communication, which are essential for a well-rounded education.

From my experience, studying humanities subjects such as history, literature, and philosophy has significantly broadened my perspective. For instance, learning about historical events helps us understand current societal structures and challenges. Literature encourages empathy by allowing us to experience diverse lives and viewpoints. Philosophy teaches us to question, reason, and develop strong arguments, fostering critical thinking skills.

Moreover, social sciences like psychology, sociology, and economics equip students with an understanding of societal dynamics and human behavior. These subjects are crucial in developing effective communication skills, conflict resolution, and the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams. For example, understanding economic principles can help individuals make informed financial decisions, while knowledge of psychology can improve interpersonal relationships.

In today's interconnected world, problems are rarely isolated within one discipline. Addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and healthcare requires interdisciplinary approaches. STEM provides the technical solutions, but humanities and social sciences offer the ethical and social frameworks necessary for implementing these solutions responsibly.

In conclusion, equal emphasis on humanities and social sciences alongside STEM subjects is vital for nurturing well-rounded individuals capable of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication. These skills are indispensable in both personal and professional spheres, contributing to a more empathetic and informed society.

Climate change is often described as the greatest challenge of our time. How far do you agree with this statement? Support your argument with examples and reasons.

Climate change is often considered the greatest challenge of our time, and I agree with this statement to a significant extent. The reasons are clear and multifaceted, affecting both the environment and human life on a global scale.

Firstly, climate change leads to extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts. These events disrupt lives, destroy homes, and cause significant economic damage. For instance, stronger and more frequent hurricanes devastate coastal regions, displacing families and requiring massive rebuilding efforts. Similarly, prolonged droughts affect agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages and higher prices, which hit the poorest communities the hardest.

Secondly, climate change affects biodiversity. As temperatures rise, many species are unable to adapt quickly enough, leading to extinction or forced migration. The loss of biodiversity affects ecosystems, which in turn impacts human life. For example, bees are crucial for pollinating many of the crops we rely on for food. A decline in bee populations due to changing climates can threaten food security.

Furthermore, climate change has health implications. Increased temperatures contribute to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which thrive in warmer climates. Additionally, heatwaves can cause heat strokes and exacerbate existing health conditions, especially among the elderly and children.

Addressing climate change requires a global effort. It is not just an environmental issue but one that affects economies, health, and social stability. Governments, businesses, and individuals all have roles to play in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts. In conclusion, given its widespread and profound effects, climate change indeed stands as one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Video games are often blamed for violence in youth. Do you think video games influence behavior? Provide reasons and examples to support your view.

Video games are a popular form of entertainment, especially among young people. Some believe that these games can lead to violent behavior, but this connection is not straightforward. While it's true that some video games contain violent content, whether they cause violent behavior depends on various factors.

First, it's important to consider the environment in which a young person is playing these games. If a child is raised in a supportive and understanding family, they are more likely to distinguish between game violence and real-life behavior. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in guiding their children and helping them understand that what happens in a game should not be imitated in real life.

Second, video games can have positive effects. Many games require strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. For instance, multiplayer games encourage cooperation and communication skills. These positive aspects can contribute to a child's development in beneficial ways, showing that video games are not entirely negative.

Additionally, it's worth noting that not all children who play violent video games become violent. Many children can play these games and still lead peaceful, productive lives. This suggests that individual personality and external influences, like family, friends, and community, are more significant factors in determining behavior than video games alone.

In conclusion, while video games with violent content might influence behavior to some extent, they are not the sole cause of violence in youth. A child's environment, guidance from adults, and individual personality are much more crucial in shaping behavior. Therefore, blaming video games alone for youth violence oversimplifies a complex issue.

Recycling should be mandatory for everyone. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Discuss your reasons and give examples.

I strongly agree that recycling should be mandatory for everyone. Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources. When we recycle, materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal can be reused to make new products. This reduces the need to extract raw materials from the earth, which can harm the environment.

One of the main reasons recycling should be mandatory is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Landfills take up a lot of space and can produce harmful chemicals that pollute the soil and water. By recycling, we can decrease the amount of waste in landfills and protect our environment.

Another important reason is that recycling can save energy. Producing new products from raw materials requires a lot of energy, but recycling uses less energy. For example, recycling aluminum cans saves about 95% of the energy needed to make new ones from raw materials. This energy savings can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Moreover, mandatory recycling can create jobs and boost the economy. Recycling programs need workers for collection, sorting, and processing materials. This can provide employment opportunities in communities and contribute to economic growth.

Some people might argue that making recycling mandatory is inconvenient or expensive. However, the long-term benefits of recycling far outweigh these short-term challenges. Many communities have already implemented successful recycling programs, proving that it is feasible and effective.

In conclusion, mandatory recycling is a crucial step toward a sustainable future. It helps protect the environment, saves energy, and creates jobs. Everyone should participate in recycling to ensure a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

Eating together as a family is important. Do you agree? Justify your answer with reasons and personal experiences.

I strongly agree that eating together as a family is important. Sharing meals brings family members closer and strengthens relationships. In today’s busy world, finding time to connect with loved ones can be challenging, and mealtime offers a perfect opportunity for this connection.

One reason eating together is important is that it allows family members to communicate and share their experiences. When I was growing up, my family always made it a point to have dinner together. During these meals, we would talk about our day, discuss any problems we were facing, and celebrate our achievements. This open communication helped us understand each other better and provided emotional support.

Another reason is that eating together creates a sense of routine and stability. For children, especially, having a set time to eat with the family can provide a sense of security and belonging. I remember looking forward to dinner time because it was a moment when we could all be together, regardless of how busy our schedules were. This routine helped me feel grounded and gave me something to rely on.

Additionally, eating together can promote healthier eating habits. When families eat together, they are more likely to prepare home-cooked meals, which tend to be healthier than fast food or takeout. In my family, we often cooked meals together, which taught me valuable cooking skills and the importance of a balanced diet.

In conclusion, eating together as a family is important because it fosters communication, creates stability, and encourages healthy eating habits. These benefits have a lasting impact on family relationships and individual well-being.

Online shopping is becoming more popular than going to physical stores. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Explain your opinion with examples.

Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, and this trend brings both positive and negative aspects. Overall, I believe the positives outweigh the negatives, making it a beneficial development for many reasons.

Firstly, online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. People can browse and purchase items from the comfort of their homes without the need to travel to physical stores. This saves time and effort, especially for those with busy schedules or limited mobility. Additionally, online stores are open 24/7, allowing people to shop whenever it suits them, unlike physical stores with fixed operating hours.

Secondly, online shopping provides access to a wider range of products. Customers can easily compare prices and features from different sellers around the world, often finding unique or better-priced items that are not available locally. This increased variety enhances the shopping experience and often leads to more informed purchasing decisions.

However, there are also some drawbacks to online shopping. One significant concern is the impact on local businesses. As more people choose to shop online, small local stores may struggle to compete, potentially leading to their closure. This can negatively affect communities by reducing the availability of personalized customer service and the charm of local shopping areas.

Additionally, online shopping can lead to impulsive buying due to the ease of making purchases. Without the physical act of going to a store, people might buy things they don’t really need, leading to unnecessary spending and waste.

In conclusion, while online shopping presents some challenges, its benefits of convenience, variety, and accessibility make it a positive development overall. With mindful shopping habits and support for local businesses, we can enjoy the advantages of online shopping while mitigating its downsides.

Sports are important in the development of young people. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give examples and reasons to explain your view.

Sports play a crucial role in the development of young people for several reasons. Firstly, sports promote physical health. Engaging in regular physical activity helps young people maintain a healthy weight, develop strong muscles and bones, and improve cardiovascular health. This foundation of physical fitness can lead to a healthier lifestyle as they grow older.

Secondly, sports teach valuable life skills. Participating in sports requires discipline, time management, and teamwork. Young people learn how to set goals, work hard to achieve them, and manage their time effectively to balance sports with academic and other responsibilities. Team sports, in particular, teach cooperation, communication, and how to work with others towards a common goal. These skills are essential in both personal and professional life.

Additionally, sports can boost mental health and social development. Physical activity is known to reduce stress and anxiety, and participating in sports can improve mood and overall mental well-being. Being part of a team or sports community provides a sense of belonging and can help young people build friendships and social networks. This social interaction is important for developing communication skills and self-confidence.

Finally, sports can instill a sense of discipline and perseverance. The challenges and setbacks faced in sports teach young people resilience and the importance of hard work and dedication. These qualities can be applied to various aspects of life, helping young people overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

In conclusion, sports significantly contribute to the physical, mental, and social development of young people. By promoting health, teaching life skills, and providing social interaction, sports help shape well-rounded and resilient individuals.

"Televised sports are as important to society as live sports events." Debate this claim, considering both the social and economic impacts of each.

Televised sports and live sports events both hold significant importance in society, each bringing unique social and economic impacts.

Televised sports have revolutionized the way people engage with sports. They offer accessibility, allowing millions to watch games from the comfort of their homes. This inclusivity means that regardless of location or financial capability, people can enjoy major sporting events. Televised sports also bring families and friends together, fostering social bonds as they gather to watch their favorite teams. Economically, televised sports generate substantial revenue through advertising and broadcasting rights, supporting various industries such as media, hospitality, and retail.

On the other hand, live sports events provide an irreplaceable experience. The atmosphere in a stadium, with its excitement and energy, creates a sense of community among fans. Attending a live game can be a memorable experience, one that televised events can't fully replicate. Live events also boost local economies significantly. From ticket sales to merchandise and food, the spending associated with attending games supports local businesses and provides jobs.

However, live events have limitations. They can be costly, making them less accessible to many people. Travel and accommodation can add to the expense, making it a luxury for some. In contrast, televised sports break down these barriers, offering a more democratic form of entertainment.

In conclusion, both televised and live sports events are crucial to society. Televised sports provide broad access and significant economic benefits through widespread viewership. Live sports events, while less accessible, offer unique experiences and support local economies directly. Together, they complement each other, enhancing the overall impact of sports on society.

"Libraries are no longer necessary in the digital age." Challenge or support this statement using specific examples and reasoning.

Libraries have always been vital centers for learning and community engagement. Despite the advent of the digital age, libraries remain necessary, and their roles have evolved rather than diminished.

Firstly, libraries offer access to resources that many people might not afford otherwise. Not everyone has the luxury of owning a computer or subscribing to various online databases. Libraries provide free internet access and computers, making them essential for bridging the digital divide. They ensure that all members of the community, regardless of their financial situation, have access to information and technology.

Additionally, libraries serve as community hubs. They host events, workshops, and programs that cater to various interests and age groups. These activities promote lifelong learning, cultural exchange, and social interaction. For instance, children's story hours, job search workshops, and book clubs are just a few examples of how libraries foster a sense of community and support personal development.

Moreover, the digital age has brought about an overwhelming amount of information, and not all of it is reliable. Libraries offer a curated collection of resources, both physical and digital, ensuring that the information is accurate and trustworthy. Librarians play a crucial role in helping people navigate this information landscape, teaching them how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

In conclusion, libraries are more important than ever in the digital age. They provide equal access to technology, serve as community centers, and offer reliable information. Rather than becoming obsolete, libraries have adapted to meet the changing needs of society, continuing to be indispensable resources for learning and connection.

Explore the potential consequences of eliminating cash and moving to a fully digital economy. What might be the benefits and drawbacks of such a shift?

Eliminating cash and transitioning to a fully digital economy can bring about significant changes in how we manage and use money. One of the main benefits is convenience. Digital payments are quick and easy, allowing people to make transactions with just a tap or a click. This can save time and reduce the need to carry physical money, which can be lost or stolen. Digital transactions also create a record, making it easier to track spending and manage finances.

Another advantage is security. Digital payments can be more secure than cash, as they often include protections against theft and fraud. If money is stolen or lost, digital systems can sometimes recover it, unlike cash, which is gone once taken.

However, there are also drawbacks to consider. One major concern is privacy. Digital transactions can be tracked, and this data could be used in ways that infringe on personal privacy. For example, companies could use this information for targeted advertising, or governments could monitor financial activities more closely.

Additionally, moving to a fully digital economy could exclude those who are not tech-savvy or who do not have access to digital devices. This includes older adults, people in remote areas, and those who cannot afford smartphones or computers. These groups might find it challenging to adapt to a cashless society, leading to greater inequality.

In conclusion, while a fully digital economy offers convenience and security, it also raises important issues around privacy and accessibility. It is crucial to consider these factors to ensure that everyone can benefit from such a shift.

Discuss the role of social media in shaping public opinion during election campaigns. Evaluate whether social media platforms should have a greater responsibility in regulating misinformation. Provide examples to support your argument.

Social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion during election campaigns. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide a space where people can share their views, follow political leaders, and access news. These platforms make it easy for information to spread quickly, allowing voters to stay informed and engage in discussions about the candidates and their policies.

However, social media can also be a breeding ground for misinformation. False news and misleading content can influence people's opinions and decisions, sometimes without them even realizing it. For instance, during election campaigns, fake news stories can go viral, spreading incorrect information about candidates. This can sway public opinion unfairly and affect the outcome of an election.

Given this, social media platforms should take on a greater responsibility in regulating misinformation. They have the tools and technology to detect and remove false content. By implementing stricter policies and improving their fact-checking processes, social media companies can help ensure that the information people see is accurate. This would help voters make more informed decisions based on facts rather than falsehoods.

For example, platforms can flag suspicious posts and provide users with links to verified information. They can also work with independent fact-checkers to review content and take down posts that spread false information. By taking these steps, social media platforms can play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of election campaigns and supporting a healthy democratic process.

Mental health awareness has increased significantly in the past decade. Discuss the impact of this greater awareness on societal attitudes and healthcare policies. Support your discussion with examples of changes in public perception or policy shifts.

The past decade has seen a significant increase in mental health awareness, which has had a profound impact on societal attitudes and healthcare policies. This greater awareness has led to a shift in how people view mental health, moving from a taboo subject to an important topic of public conversation. Society is now more accepting and understanding of mental health issues, which has helped reduce the stigma that once surrounded them. People are more willing to talk about their experiences, seek help, and support others who are struggling.

In terms of healthcare policies, this shift in awareness has prompted changes that aim to improve mental health services and accessibility. For example, many countries have implemented policies that require health insurance to cover mental health treatments just as they would physical health treatments. This ensures that more people can afford to get the help they need. Additionally, there has been an increase in funding for mental health programs, including those in schools and workplaces, which focus on early intervention and prevention.

Public campaigns and educational programs have also played a crucial role in changing perceptions and policies. Campaigns such as World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Month bring attention to the importance of mental health, encouraging people to seek help and support each other. Schools and workplaces are increasingly offering mental health training and resources, which helps create environments where mental well-being is prioritized.

Overall, the increase in mental health awareness has led to a more supportive and understanding society, as well as significant improvements in healthcare policies, making mental health care more accessible and equitable for all.

Examine the influence of artificial intelligence on creative industries such as music, writing, and art. Discuss whether AI can truly be creative or if it merely mimics human creativity. Use specific examples to support your points.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted creative industries such as music, writing, and art. AI tools like deep learning algorithms and neural networks can produce music compositions, generate written content, and create visual art pieces. These advancements have sparked debates about whether AI can be truly creative or if it merely mimics human creativity.

In the music industry, AI can compose songs by analyzing patterns in existing music. For example, AI programs have created symphonies in the style of famous composers like Beethoven. These compositions can be impressive, but they often lack the emotional depth and personal touch that human composers bring to their work. While AI can generate new music, it does so by processing and combining existing patterns, which suggests it is mimicking rather than creating original content.

In writing, AI tools like language models can generate articles, stories, and even poetry. These models analyze vast amounts of text to learn grammar, style, and structure. While AI-generated writing can be coherent and well-structured, it often lacks the nuanced understanding and emotional resonance of human writing. For instance, an AI can write a news article, but it may miss the subtle insights and perspectives that a human journalist provides.

In the art world, AI can create paintings and digital art by learning from a database of images. AI-generated art can be visually striking and innovative, but it typically relies on pre-existing styles and techniques. This reliance on existing data suggests that AI is imitating rather than inventing new artistic expressions.

In conclusion, while AI has made impressive strides in creative industries, its creations often lack the emotional and personal elements that characterize true human creativity. AI mimics patterns and styles, producing content that is impressive yet fundamentally derivative. Thus, AI's role in creative fields is more about enhancing and augmenting human creativity rather than replacing it.

The aging population in many countries presents economic and social challenges. Discuss the implications of this demographic shift and propose solutions that could alleviate potential problems. Include examples of successful aging policies from around the world.

The aging population in many countries presents both economic and social challenges that need addressing. Economically, an increasing number of elderly people means a higher demand for pensions and healthcare services. This puts pressure on government budgets and can lead to higher taxes or reduced spending in other areas. Additionally, a smaller working-age population can result in a shortage of workers, which can hinder economic growth and productivity.

Socially, the aging population may face issues such as loneliness, inadequate care, and age discrimination. Older individuals often require more healthcare and support services, which can strain family members and social systems. Without proper care, the quality of life for the elderly can significantly decline, leading to increased rates of depression and other health issues.

To alleviate these potential problems, several solutions can be considered. Firstly, policies that encourage higher birth rates, such as family-friendly work policies, child care support, and parental leave, can help balance the age distribution. Secondly, immigration policies that attract younger workers can help mitigate the labor shortage and support the economy.

Implementing successful aging policies is also crucial. For example, in Japan, the government has introduced programs that promote lifelong learning and active aging, encouraging older adults to stay engaged in the workforce and community. Similarly, in Nordic countries, comprehensive social welfare systems ensure that elderly citizens receive adequate healthcare and financial support, reducing the burden on families and improving overall well-being.

By adopting and adapting these policies, countries can better manage the economic and social challenges posed by an aging population, ensuring a more balanced and supportive society for all ages.

The importance of cybersecurity has never been more evident. Discuss the key challenges that individuals and companies face in maintaining digital security. Propose strategies that could improve overall cybersecurity readiness.

The importance of cybersecurity has never been more evident in today's digital age. Both individuals and companies face numerous challenges in maintaining digital security. One key challenge is the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks. Hackers are constantly developing new methods to breach systems, making it difficult to stay ahead of threats. Another challenge is the human factor. Many security breaches occur due to human error, such as weak passwords or falling for phishing scams. Additionally, the vast amount of data being generated and stored online makes it a lucrative target for cybercriminals.

Companies face the additional challenge of protecting not only their own data but also the data of their customers. This responsibility requires significant resources, both in terms of technology and personnel. Smaller companies, in particular, may struggle to allocate sufficient funds for comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

To improve overall cybersecurity readiness, several strategies can be implemented. First, education and training are crucial. Individuals and employees should be regularly trained on best practices for digital security, such as creating strong passwords and recognizing phishing attempts. Second, companies should invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure. This includes up-to-date antivirus software, firewalls, and encryption tools to protect sensitive data.

Third, adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity can make a significant difference. This involves regularly updating software and systems to fix vulnerabilities and conducting frequent security audits to identify potential weaknesses. Lastly, fostering a culture of cybersecurity within organizations can help. Encouraging employees to prioritize security and report suspicious activities can lead to a more secure digital environment.

By addressing these challenges and implementing these strategies, individuals and companies can enhance their cybersecurity readiness and better protect themselves against digital threats.

Explore the ethical implications of genetic engineering in humans. Discuss the potential benefits and risks of editing human DNA, using examples from scientific research or speculative scenarios.

Genetic engineering in humans is a fascinating and controversial topic. On one hand, it offers the potential to eliminate genetic diseases, improve human capabilities, and extend life expectancy. On the other hand, it raises significant ethical concerns about the impact on society and the natural course of human evolution.

One potential benefit of genetic engineering is the ability to eradicate hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease. By editing the DNA of embryos, scientists can remove or alter genes that cause these conditions, leading to healthier individuals and potentially reducing the overall burden on healthcare systems. This technology could also be used to enhance human abilities, such as improving intelligence, physical strength, or resistance to diseases.

However, these advancements come with serious ethical risks. One major concern is the possibility of creating a genetic divide in society. If only wealthy individuals can afford genetic enhancements, it could lead to increased inequality and social division. Additionally, there is the risk of unintended consequences. Editing the human genome is complex and not fully understood, and changes could have unforeseen effects on the individual and their descendants.

Furthermore, the idea of "playing God" by altering human DNA raises moral questions. Some argue that it is unnatural and that humans should not interfere with the fundamental aspects of life. Others worry about the loss of genetic diversity and the potential for new forms of discrimination based on genetic characteristics.

In conclusion, while genetic engineering in humans has the potential to bring significant benefits, it also poses serious ethical challenges. Society must carefully consider these implications and establish regulations to ensure that this powerful technology is used responsibly and equitably.

The rise of veganism and plant-based diets has implications for health, the environment, and the economy. Discuss the potential impacts of a widespread shift to plant-based eating.

The rise of veganism and plant-based diets is a significant trend that can affect health, the environment, and the economy in various ways.

Firstly, on health, shifting to a plant-based diet can lead to numerous benefits. Plant-based foods are often rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and can help in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. People who adopt vegan diets may experience improved digestion and overall well-being. However, it is essential to ensure that a plant-based diet is balanced and includes all necessary nutrients, which might require more careful meal planning.

Secondly, the environmental impact of widespread plant-based eating can be profound. The production of plant-based foods generally requires fewer resources, such as water and land, compared to animal-based foods. Additionally, it generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which are a significant contributor to climate change. A global shift towards plant-based diets could help reduce deforestation and biodiversity loss, contributing to a healthier planet.

Lastly, the economic implications of a move towards plant-based diets can be both positive and challenging. The demand for plant-based products could spur innovation and growth in the food industry, creating new jobs and market opportunities. However, it might also disrupt traditional agricultural sectors that rely heavily on livestock farming. Farmers and businesses might need support and adaptation strategies to transition to new methods and crops.

In conclusion, a widespread shift to plant-based eating holds potential benefits for health and the environment, while also presenting economic opportunities and challenges. Careful planning and support will be essential to manage this transition effectively.

Debate the pros and cons of implementing a four-day workweek in various industries. Consider productivity, work-life balance, and economic impacts. Provide case studies or hypothetical scenarios to illustrate your points.

Implementing a four-day workweek has both advantages and disadvantages, impacting productivity, work-life balance, and the economy in various ways.

One of the main benefits of a four-day workweek is improved work-life balance. Employees have more time to spend with their families, pursue hobbies, or rest, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and overall well-being. This can also reduce stress and burnout, resulting in happier and healthier employees.

Productivity might also see a boost. With longer weekends, employees may return to work more refreshed and motivated. For instance, some companies that have adopted a four-day workweek report that their workers accomplish the same amount, if not more, in less time. This suggests that shorter workweeks could lead to more focused and efficient work.

However, there are potential downsides. In industries where continuous service is crucial, such as healthcare or customer service, a four-day workweek might be challenging to implement without affecting service quality. Companies may need to hire more staff or adjust shift patterns, which can increase operational costs.

Economic impacts can be mixed. On one hand, reduced work hours can lead to lower operational costs for businesses, such as savings on utilities and office supplies. On the other hand, if productivity does not increase proportionally, companies might face higher labor costs per hour worked, which can affect their competitiveness.

In a hypothetical scenario, consider a tech company that switches to a four-day workweek. Employees might initially enjoy the extra day off, but if deadlines remain tight, the pressure to deliver could increase, potentially leading to stress. Conversely, a creative agency could benefit greatly, as employees might produce higher-quality work due to reduced burnout.

In conclusion, while a four-day workweek offers significant benefits for work-life balance and potential productivity gains, it also presents challenges in maintaining service levels and economic viability in certain industries. Each company must weigh these factors carefully before making a decision.

Examine the role of women in leadership positions within corporations and government. Discuss the barriers they face and propose solutions to increase female representation in leadership roles.

Women in leadership positions within corporations and government play a crucial role in fostering diversity, promoting innovative ideas, and driving social progress. However, they often face significant barriers that hinder their advancement to these roles.

One major barrier is the persistent gender stereotypes that suggest women are less capable leaders compared to men. These stereotypes can lead to biases in hiring and promotion practices, making it harder for women to reach top positions. Additionally, women often struggle with work-life balance due to societal expectations regarding family responsibilities. This challenge can limit their career growth and opportunities for leadership roles.

Another barrier is the lack of mentorship and support networks for women. Men are more likely to have mentors who can guide them and advocate for their career advancement. Without similar support, women may find it more difficult to navigate their career paths and access leadership positions.

To increase female representation in leadership roles, several solutions can be implemented. First, organizations and governments should actively promote gender diversity by setting clear goals and policies to ensure equal opportunities for women. This can include initiatives such as gender quotas or diversity training programs to address unconscious biases.

Second, creating supportive environments for women in the workplace is essential. This can involve offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, to help women balance their professional and personal responsibilities. Additionally, establishing mentorship programs specifically for women can provide them with the guidance and support they need to succeed.

Lastly, raising awareness about the importance of gender diversity in leadership can help change societal attitudes and reduce stereotypes. Education and advocacy campaigns can highlight the benefits of having women in leadership positions, encouraging more organizations to prioritize gender equality.

By addressing these barriers and implementing these solutions, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment where women can thrive in leadership roles, benefiting both organizations and society as a whole.

Write an essay on the impact of social media on modern communication. Discuss how it has changed the way people interact and the consequences for personal relationships and professional communications.

Social media has significantly transformed modern communication, affecting both personal relationships and professional interactions. One of the most noticeable changes is the speed and convenience with which people can now connect. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow individuals to share updates, photos, and messages instantly, regardless of geographical distances. This ease of communication has helped people maintain relationships that might have otherwise faded over time due to physical separation.

In personal relationships, social media has enabled people to stay connected with friends and family, sharing life events and daily experiences. However, it also has downsides. The constant influx of information and the pressure to maintain a certain online image can lead to stress and anxiety. Moreover, online interactions often lack the depth and emotional connection of face-to-face conversations, which can weaken the quality of personal relationships.

Professionally, social media has opened new avenues for networking, marketing, and collaboration. LinkedIn, for example, has become a vital tool for job seekers and employers, enabling them to connect and interact in ways that were not possible before. Businesses use social media to engage with customers, promote products, and build brand loyalty. Despite these benefits, there are challenges as well. Miscommunications can occur easily through text, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Additionally, the line between personal and professional lives can become blurred, sometimes leading to issues with privacy and professionalism.

In conclusion, social media has revolutionized communication by making it faster and more accessible. While it has brought many advantages in maintaining relationships and facilitating professional interactions, it also poses challenges that need to be managed carefully to maintain the quality and integrity of our communications.

Discuss the role of renewable energy sources in combating climate change. Evaluate the potential of solar and wind power in replacing fossil fuels and the challenges that might arise during this transition. Use examples from various countries.

Renewable energy sources play a crucial role in combating climate change by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Among these renewable sources, solar and wind power stand out for their potential to significantly replace fossil fuels.

Solar power harnesses energy from the sun using photovoltaic panels. Countries like Germany and Australia have made great strides in integrating solar power into their energy grids. Germany, for instance, has implemented policies that encourage the installation of solar panels on rooftops, making solar energy more accessible to households and businesses. Similarly, Australia benefits from its sunny climate, allowing it to generate substantial solar power.

Wind power is another promising renewable energy source. It involves using wind turbines to convert wind energy into electricity. Denmark and the United States are leading examples of countries investing heavily in wind power. Denmark aims to be completely fossil fuel-free by 2050, largely through wind energy. The U.S. has significant wind farms, particularly in states like Texas, which contribute to a cleaner energy mix.

Despite the promise of solar and wind power, several challenges must be addressed during the transition from fossil fuels. One major challenge is the intermittency of these energy sources; the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. This intermittency requires the development of efficient energy storage systems and smart grids to ensure a reliable supply of electricity.

Another challenge is the initial cost of setting up renewable energy infrastructure. While long-term savings and environmental benefits are substantial, the upfront investment can be a barrier for many countries. Additionally, existing fossil fuel industries may resist the transition due to economic and employment concerns.

In conclusion, while solar and wind power have the potential to replace fossil fuels and mitigate climate change, addressing their intermittency and the economic challenges of transitioning are essential for a successful shift to a sustainable energy future.

Discuss the importance of preserving indigenous languages. What are the broader cultural and societal implications if these languages continue to disappear, and what steps can be taken to revitalize them?

Preserving indigenous languages is crucial for maintaining the cultural heritage and identity of native communities. These languages are not just means of communication but are deeply embedded with the traditions, knowledge, and worldviews of their speakers. When an indigenous language disappears, it takes with it a unique way of understanding and interacting with the world.

The loss of indigenous languages has broader cultural and societal implications. It often leads to the erosion of cultural diversity, as each language carries its own set of stories, practices, and perspectives. This diversity is valuable because it enriches the global tapestry of human culture and provides different ways of thinking and solving problems. Additionally, the disappearance of these languages can lead to a loss of community cohesion and identity, as language is a key component of group solidarity and continuity.

To revitalize indigenous languages, several steps can be taken. First, education systems should incorporate indigenous languages into their curricula, allowing children to learn and use these languages from a young age. Community programs can also play a role, offering classes and activities that encourage the use of indigenous languages in daily life. Additionally, technology can be a powerful tool, with apps and online resources developed to support language learning and usage.

Governments and organizations should support these efforts by providing funding and resources. Policies that recognize and protect indigenous languages can also create an environment where these languages can thrive. By taking these steps, we can help ensure that indigenous languages continue to be a living part of our world, preserving the cultural richness they bring to all of humanity.

Immigration has complex effects on a country's economy and cultural landscape. What are the challenges and benefits of immigration? What steps can governments take to encourage the advantages and mitigate the disadvantages?

Immigration is a multifaceted issue that brings both challenges and benefits to a country's economy and cultural landscape. One major benefit is that immigrants often fill labor shortages, contributing to economic growth and bringing diverse skills and perspectives. They can start businesses, create jobs, and add to the cultural richness of a society by introducing new traditions, foods, and ideas.

However, immigration also presents challenges. Economically, there may be increased competition for jobs, which can lead to tensions with local workers. Socially, there might be difficulties in integrating immigrants into the community, leading to issues such as discrimination or cultural clashes.

Governments can take several steps to maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges of immigration. Firstly, they can implement policies that facilitate the integration of immigrants into society, such as language and cultural education programs. This helps immigrants adapt to their new environment and promotes mutual understanding with the local population.

Secondly, governments can create fair and efficient immigration systems that match immigrants' skills with labor market needs. This ensures that immigrants can contribute effectively to the economy without displacing local workers. Additionally, offering support for immigrant entrepreneurs can stimulate economic growth and innovation.

Lastly, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect is crucial. Anti-discrimination laws and community-building initiatives can help create a welcoming environment for immigrants, reducing social tensions and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.

In conclusion, while immigration poses challenges, it also offers significant benefits. With thoughtful policies and a commitment to inclusivity, governments can harness the positive aspects of immigration while addressing its potential downsides.

The future of work is being reshaped by automation and robotics. What are the potential benefits for the workforce and employers, and what strategies can be implemented to address the challenges this change brings?

Automation and robotics are transforming the future of work, bringing both benefits and challenges. For the workforce, these technologies can improve job efficiency and safety by taking over repetitive or dangerous tasks. This shift allows workers to focus on more complex and creative activities, potentially increasing job satisfaction and opening up new career opportunities. For employers, automation and robotics can lead to cost savings, higher productivity, and consistent quality in production. These benefits can enhance a company's competitiveness and profitability.

However, the transition to a more automated workplace also presents challenges. Workers may face job displacement, requiring new skills to stay relevant in the changing job market. This can lead to economic instability for those unable to adapt quickly. Employers, on the other hand, must invest in new technologies and manage the integration of robots and automation systems, which can be costly and complex.

To address these challenges, several strategies can be implemented. For the workforce, continuous education and training programs are essential. These programs can help workers acquire new skills and adapt to new roles created by automation. Additionally, promoting a culture of lifelong learning can encourage employees to stay updated with technological advancements.

For employers, a phased approach to automation can be beneficial. Gradually introducing new technologies allows time for adjustment and reduces the risk of large-scale disruptions. Collaborating with educational institutions and governments can also help create a supportive ecosystem for both workers and businesses.

In conclusion, while automation and robotics offer significant benefits, careful planning and proactive strategies are crucial to ensuring a smooth transition for both the workforce and employers.

"Fast fashion" refers to the rapid production of large quantities of stylish clothing. It often leads to a lot of waste because once a particular style goes out of fashion, no one wants the clothing any longer. Why is "fast fashion" so popular? Should anything be done to address to the issues associated with it?

Fast fashion is popular for several reasons. Firstly, it offers trendy clothing at affordable prices, making it accessible to a wide range of people. Consumers can quickly update their wardrobes with the latest styles without spending a lot of money. This instant gratification appeals to many, especially younger generations who are influenced by social media and celebrity trends. Additionally, fast fashion brands often release new collections frequently, creating a sense of urgency and excitement among shoppers.

However, fast fashion has significant drawbacks, primarily its environmental impact. The rapid production cycle leads to a high turnover of clothing, resulting in a massive amount of waste. Many of these clothes end up in landfills because they are made of low-quality materials that do not last long. Moreover, the production processes of fast fashion often involve harmful chemicals and significant water usage, contributing to pollution and resource depletion.

To address these issues, several steps can be taken. One approach is to promote sustainable fashion practices. Consumers can be encouraged to buy fewer, higher-quality items that last longer. Additionally, brands can adopt more eco-friendly production methods and use sustainable materials. Another solution is to increase awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion. Educating people on the consequences of their purchasing choices can lead to more responsible consumer behavior.

In conclusion, while fast fashion's popularity is driven by affordability and trendiness, its negative environmental effects cannot be ignored. By promoting sustainability and raising awareness, we can help mitigate the issues associated with fast fashion.

Mental health has long been an overlooked aspect of our health. However, mental health issues are increasingly discussed more openly. What has caused this increased awareness of the importance of mental health? What other measures could be taken to further increase awareness?

The increased awareness of mental health can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the rise of social media and digital platforms has played a significant role. These platforms allow people to share their personal experiences and struggles with mental health more openly, creating a community of support and understanding. Stories that once went untold are now shared widely, helping to reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help.

Secondly, there has been a growing recognition within the healthcare community of the importance of mental health. Doctors and healthcare professionals now emphasize that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. This shift in perspective has led to more discussions about mental well-being in medical settings and more resources being allocated to mental health services.

Celebrities and public figures have also contributed to this increased awareness. When well-known individuals speak out about their mental health struggles, it resonates with the public and normalizes the conversation around mental health. Their influence helps to break down the barriers and misconceptions associated with mental health issues.

To further increase awareness, educational institutions should integrate mental health education into their curriculums. Teaching students about mental health from a young age can help them understand and manage their emotions better. Additionally, workplaces should implement mental health programs and provide resources for employees to seek help without fear of judgment.

Public campaigns and community programs can also play a significant role. By organizing events, workshops, and seminars, communities can foster a more supportive environment for discussing mental health. Increased funding for mental health research and services is crucial to ensure that those who need help can access it easily. Overall, continued efforts in education, community support, and resource allocation are essential for sustaining and furthering the awareness of mental health.

Debate the necessity and effectiveness of international aid. Is aid beneficial to developing countries, or does it lead to dependency? Provide examples to support your argument.

International aid is a topic of great debate, with arguments both for and against its necessity and effectiveness. On one hand, international aid is seen as crucial for helping developing countries overcome poverty, improve healthcare, and build infrastructure. For example, aid can provide immediate relief in times of crisis, such as natural disasters, by supplying food, clean water, and medical assistance. It can also support long-term development projects, like building schools and hospitals, which are essential for a country's growth and stability.

However, there are concerns that international aid can lead to dependency. When countries rely heavily on aid, they may not develop the necessary skills and resources to sustain themselves. This dependency can create a cycle where aid is continuously needed, rather than fostering self-sufficiency. For instance, some argue that aid can discourage local businesses and agricultural industries, as people may prefer free or subsidized goods over locally produced ones.

Moreover, the effectiveness of aid is often questioned due to issues like corruption and mismanagement. In some cases, aid money does not reach the intended recipients but is instead lost through bureaucratic inefficiencies or siphoned off by corrupt officials. This not only wastes resources but can also undermine trust in international aid efforts.

In conclusion, while international aid has the potential to bring significant benefits to developing countries, it must be carefully managed to avoid fostering dependency and to ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most. Building sustainable systems and empowering local communities are essential to making aid truly effective.

Celebrity endorsements play a significant role in modern marketing strategies. Analyze their impact on consumer behavior and how they influence the perception of brands.

Celebrity endorsements are a powerful tool in modern marketing, significantly impacting consumer behavior and brand perception. When celebrities endorse products, their fans and followers often view these products more favorably. This is because people tend to trust and admire their favorite celebrities, believing that if a product is good enough for them, it must be good enough for everyone.

This influence can be seen in various ways. For instance, a sports star endorsing a particular brand of sneakers can lead to increased sales among their fans who aspire to emulate their success and lifestyle. Similarly, when a popular actor promotes a skincare brand, consumers might believe that using these products will help them achieve similar beauty and confidence.

Celebrity endorsements also help in building brand credibility. A well-known and respected celebrity can lend their positive image to a brand, making it appear more trustworthy and high-quality. This can be especially important for new or lesser-known brands trying to establish themselves in a competitive market.

However, there are potential downsides to this strategy. If a celebrity faces a scandal or public backlash, the brands they endorse can suffer as a result. Consumers might also feel deceived if they find out that the celebrity does not genuinely use or believe in the product they are promoting.

In conclusion, celebrity endorsements can greatly influence consumer behavior and brand perception, making them a valuable marketing strategy. However, companies must carefully choose the right celebrities and manage these relationships to avoid potential risks.

Discuss the role of scientific research in shaping public policy on health issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. How can governments better utilize scientific advice to make informed decisions?

Scientific research plays a crucial role in shaping public policy, especially in health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. During such times, governments rely heavily on scientific findings to formulate effective strategies to protect public health. Researchers provide essential information on virus transmission, effective treatments, and preventive measures, guiding policymakers in their decisions.

One significant aspect of scientific research is its ability to offer evidence-based recommendations. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists conducted numerous studies to understand how the virus spreads and which interventions are most effective. This information helped governments implement measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination campaigns. Without scientific input, these policies might have been less effective or even harmful.

To better utilize scientific advice, governments can take several steps. Firstly, they should establish clear communication channels between scientists and policymakers. This ensures that scientific findings are promptly and accurately conveyed to those making decisions. Secondly, governments should foster a culture of trust in science among the public. By promoting transparency and explaining the rationale behind policies, they can improve compliance and reduce misinformation.

Additionally, governments should invest in continuous scientific research and ensure that funding is available for studies that address emerging health threats. This proactive approach enables a quicker and more efficient response to future crises. Finally, involving a diverse range of experts from various fields can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation, leading to more robust policy decisions.

In conclusion, scientific research is vital for informing public health policy, especially during pandemics. By improving communication, fostering trust, investing in research, and involving diverse experts, governments can better utilize scientific advice to make informed decisions and protect public health.

Anthony Cockerill

| Writing | The written word | Teaching English |

How to write great English literature essays at university

Essential advice on how to craft a great english literature essay at university – and how to avoid rookie mistakes..

If you’ve just begun to study English literature at university, the prospect of writing that first essay can be daunting. Tutors will likely offer little in the way of assistance in the process of planning and writing, as it’s assumed that students know how to do this already. At A-level, teachers are usually very clear with students about the Assessment Objectives for examination components and centre-assessed work, but it can feel like there’s far less clarity around how essays are marked at university. Furthermore, the process of learning how to properly reference an essay can be a steep learning curve.

But essentially, there are five things you’re being asked to do: show your understanding of the text and its key themes, explore the writer’s methods, consider the influence of contextual factors that might influence the writing and reading of the text, read published critical work about the text and incorporate this discourse into your essay, and finally, write a coherent argument in response to the task.

With advice from English teachers, HE tutors and other people who’ve been there and done it, here are the most crucial things to remember when planning and writing an essay.

Read around the subject and let your argument evolve.

‘One of the big step-ups from A-level, where students might only have had to deal with critical material as part of their coursework, is the move toward engaging with the critical debate around a text.’

Reading around the task and making notes is all important. Get familiar with the reading list. Become adept at searching for critical material in books and articles that’s not on the reading list. Talk with the librarian. Make sure you can find your way around the stacks. Get log-ins for the various databases of online criticism, such as the MLA International Bibliography .

‘Tutors are looking for flair… for students to be nuanced and creative with their ideas as opposed to reproducing the same criticism that others already have.’

When reading, keep notes, make summaries and write down useful quotations. Make sure you keep track of what you’ve read as you go. Note the publication details (author, publisher, year and place of publication). If you write down a quotation, note the page number. This will make dealing with citations and writing your bibliography much easier later on, as there’s nothing more annoying than getting to the end of the first draft of your essay and realising you’ve no idea which book or article a quote came from or which page it was on.

‘The more I read, the sharper my own writing style became because I developed an opinion of the writing style I liked and I had a clear sense of the subject matter that I was discussing.’

‘Don’t wing the reading. Or the thinking. Crap writing emerges from style over substance.’

Get to grips with the question and plan a response.

‘Brain dump at the start in the form of a mind map. This will help you focus and relax. You can add to it as go along and can shape it into a brief plan.’

Before writing a single word, brainstorm. Do some free-thinking. Get your ideas down on paper or sticky notes. Cross things out; refine. Allow your planning to be led by ideas that support your argument.

Use different colour-coded sticky notes for your planning. In the example below, the student has used yellow sticky notes for ideas, blue for language, structure and methods, purple for context and green for literary criticism, which makes planning the sequence of the essay much easier.

Structure and sequence your ideas

‘Make your argument clear in your opening paragraph, and then ensure that every subsequent paragraph is clearly addressing your thesis.’

Plan the essay by working out a sequence of your ideas that you believe to be the most compelling. Allow your ideas to serve as structural signposts. Augment these with relevant criticism, context and focus on language and style.

‘Read wide and look at different pieces of criticism of a particular work and weave that in with your own interpretation of said work.’

Write a great introduction.

‘By the end of the first paragraph, make sure you have established a very clear thesis statement that outlines the main thrust of the essay.’

Your introduction should make your argument very clear. It’s also a chance to establish working definitions of any problematic terms and to engage with key aspects of the wider critical debate.

Get to grips with academic style and draft the essay

‘[Write with] an ‘exploratory’ tone rather than ‘dogmatic’ one.’

Academic writing is characterised by argument, analysis and evaluation. In an earlier post , I explored how students in high school might improve their analytical writing by adopting three maxims. These maxims are just as helpful for undergraduates. Firstly, aim for precise, cogent expression. Secondly, deliver an individual response supported by your reading – and citing – of published literary criticism. Thirdly, work on your personal voice. In formal analytical writing such as the university essay, your personal voice might be constrained rather more than it would be in a blog or a review, but it must nonetheless be exploratory in tone. Tentativity can be an asset as it suggests appreciation of nuances and alternative ways of thinking.

‘I got to grips with what was being asked of me by reading lots of literary criticism and becoming more familiar with academic writing conventions.’

Avoid unnecessary or clunky sign-post phrases such as ‘in this essay, I am going to…’ or ‘a further thing…’ A transition devices that can work really well is the explicit paragraph link, in which a motif or phrase in the last sentence of a paragraph is repeated in the first sentence of the next paragraph.

Write a killer conclusion

‘There is more emphasis on finding your own voice at university, something which in many ways is inhibited by Assessment Objectives at A-Level. I don’t think ‘good’ academic writing is necessarily taught very well in schools — at least from my experience.’

The conclusion is a really important part of your essay. It’s a chance to restate your thesis and to draw conclusions. You might achieve closure or instead, allude to interesting questions or ideas the essay has perhaps raised but not answered. You might synthesise your argument by exploring the key issue. You could zoom-out and explore the issue as part of a bigger picture.

Be meticulous in your referencing.

Having supported your argument with quotations from published critics, it’s important to be meticulous about how you reference these, otherwise you could be accused of plagiarism – passing someone else’s work off as your own. There are three broad ways of referencing: author-date, footnote and endnote. However, within each of these three approaches, there are specific named protocols. Most English literature faculties use either the MLA (Modern Languages Association of America) style or the Harvard style (variants of the author-date approach). It’s important to check what your faculty or department uses, learn how to use it (faculties invariably publish guidance, but ask if you’re unsure) and apply the rules meticulously.

‘Read your work aloud, slowly, sentence by sentence. It’s the best way to spot typos, and it allows you to hear what is awkward and/or ungrammatical. Then read the essay aloud again.’

Write with precision. Use a thesaurus to help you find the right word, but make sure you use it properly and in the right context. Read sentences back and prune unnecessary phrases or redundant words. Similarly, avoid words or phrases which might sound self-important or pompous.

Like those structural signposts that don’t really add anything, some phrases need to be omited, such as ‘many people have argued that…’ or ‘futher to the previous paragraph…’.

Finally, make sure the essay is formatted correctly. University departments are usually clear about their expectations, but font, size, and line spacing are usually stipulated along with any other information you’re expected to include in the essay’s header or footer. And don’t expect the proofing tool to pick up every mistake.

Featured image by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 7 successful statement of purpose examples.

Not sure what graduate schools are looking for in a statement of purpose? Looking at successful graduate school statement of purpose samples can help! In this guide, we’ll orient you to what makes a great statement of purpose or letter of intent for graduate school. Then we’ll provide you with four successful statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. We’ll also provide analysis of what makes them successful. Finally, we’ll direct you to even more helpful examples that you can find online!

The Graduate School Statement of Purpose: An Overview

A statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or a research statement) introduces your interests and experience to the admissions committee. For research-focused programs, like most PhDs and many master’s degrees, your statement of purpose will focus primarily on your past research experience and plans. For more professionally-focused graduate programs, your statement of purpose will primarily discuss how your pursuit of this professional program relates to your past experiences, and how you will use the skills from the program in your future career.

A statement of purpose for grad school is also where you sell the admissions committee on why you belong in their program specifically. Why do you fit there, and how does what they offer fit your interests?

What’s in a Great Grad School Statement of Purpose?

Here are the essential elements of a strong graduate school statement of purpose:

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

A strong statement of purpose will clearly and specifically lay out your goals in undertaking the program and what you hope to accomplish with the degree. Again, for a research-focused program, this will focus primarily on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there. For a more professional program, discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.

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You should be as specific as possible in discussing what interests you. Use examples of particular phenomena, tools, or situations that you find exciting. If you are vague or say that everything in the field interests you, you run the risk of seeming unfocused or not actually that passionate.

Don’t worry that being too specific will box you into a particular research area or subfield during your entire tenure in graduate school. Your program understands that interests change—they won’t be pulling out your research statement to cross-reference with your dissertation proposal!

Evidence of Past Experience and Success

A great graduate school statement of purpose will also show programs that you have already been successful. They want applicants that will be able to follow through on their research/professional plans!

To this end, you’ll need to provide evidence of how your background qualifies you to pursue this program and your specific interests in the field. You’ll probably discuss your undergraduate studies and any professional experience you have. But be sure to draw on specific, vivid examples.  You might draw on your thesis, major projects you’ve worked on, papers you have written/published, presentations you’ve given, mentors you’ve worked with, and so on. This gives admissions committees concrete evidence that you are qualified to undertake graduate study!

Interest and Fit With the Program

The third essential ingredient to a great statement of purpose is to clearly lay out why you and the program are a good fit. You should be able to identify both specific reasons why your work fits with the program and why the program suits your work/interests! Are there particular professors you’d like to work with? Does the department have a strong tradition in a certain methodology or theory you’re interested in? Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?

Showing that you and the program are a match shows that you chose the program thoughtfully and have genuine interest in it. Programs want to admit students who aren’t just passionate about the field. They want students who are genuinely enthused about their specific program and positioned to get the most out of what they have to offer.

Strong Writing

The final essential piece of a strong statement of purpose or letter of intent is strong writing. Writing skills are important for all graduate programs. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in a way that flows logically. Additionally, you should show that you know how to write in a way that is descriptive but concise. A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, even without a hard word limit.

Admissions committees for humanities programs may be a little more focused on writing style than admissions officers for STEM programs. But even in quantitative and science-focused fields, written communication skills are an essential part of graduate school. So a strong statement of purpose will always be effectively written. You’ll see this in our statement of purpose for graduate school samples.

Real, Successful Statement of Purpose Samples

In this section, we’ll present four successful graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts, along with a brief commentary on each statement. These statements come from a diverse selection of program types to show you how the core essentials of a statement of purpose can be implemented differently for different fields.

Note: identifying information for these statements have been changed—except for example four, which is my statement.

• Statement of Purpose Sample One: Japanese Studies MA

This statement of purpose is notable for its great use of space and its vivid descriptions. The author is able to cram a lot into about a page. She discusses how she came to her two primary research interests (and how they are connected). She integrates this discussion of her interests with information on her past experiences and qualifications for pursuing the course of study. Finally, she includes details on her goals in pursuing the program and components of the program that interest her. Her examples are specific and fleshed-out. There’s a lot very cleverly included in a small amount of page space!

Additionally, the language is very vivid. Phrases like “evocative and visceral” and “steadily unraveling,” are eye-catching and intriguing. They demonstrate that she has the writing skills necessary to pursue both graduate study and her interest in translation.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Two: Music MM

This sample is fairly long, although at 12 point Times New Roman it’s under two pages single-spaced. The length of this statement is partially due to the somewhat expansive nature of the prompt, which asks what role music has played in the applicant’s life “to date.” This invites applicants to speak more about experiences further in the past (in the childhood and teen years) than is typical for a statement of purpose. Given that this is for a master’s degree in music, this is logical; musical study is typically something that is undertaken at a fairly young age.

This statement does an excellent job describing the student’s past experiences with music in great detail. The descriptions of the student’s past compositions and experiences performing new music are particularly vivid and intriguing.

This statement also lays out and elaborates on specific goals the student hopes to pursue through the program, as well as features particular to the program that interest the student (like particular professors).

• Statement of Purpose Sample Three: Economics PhD

One of the first things you’ll likely notice about this statement is that it’s a little on the longer side. However, at 12 point Times New Roman font and single-spaced, it still comes in under 2 pages (excluding references). It makes sense for a PhD statement of purpose sample to be longer than a master’s degree statement of purpose—there’s more to lay out in terms of research interests!

The writing style is fairly straightforward—there’s definitely a stronger focus on delivering content than flashy writing style. As Economics is a more quantitative-focused field, this is fine. But the writing is still well-organized, clear, and error-free.

The writer also gives numerous examples of their past work and experience, and shows off their knowledge of the field through references, which is a nice touch.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Four: History of the Book MA

This is actually my statement of purpose. It was for a program that I got accepted to but did not end up attending, for a Master’s in the History of the Book. You’ll notice that the two essay prompts essentially asked us to split our statement of purpose into two parts: the first prompt asked about our research interests and goals, and the second prompt asked about our relevant experience and qualifications.

I’ll keep my comments on this graduate school statement of purpose sample brief because I’ll do a deep dive on it in the next section. But looking back at my statement of purpose, I do a good job outlining what within the field interests me and clearly laying out how my past experiences have qualified me for the program.

Obviously this statement did its job, since I was accepted to the program. However, if I were to improve this statement, I’d change the cliche beginning  (“since I was a child”) and provide more specificity in what about the program interested me.

Deep Dive Analysis of a Sample Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Next, we’ll do a paragraph by paragraph analysis of my statement, statement of purpose sample four. I’ll analyze its strengths and suggest ways I could shore up any weaknesses to make it even stronger.

Essay 1: Academic Interests

To refresh, here’s the first prompt: Please give a short statement that describes your academic interests, purpose, objectives and motivation in undertaking this postgraduate study. (max 3500 chars – approx. 500 words)

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Paragraph 1

Since I was a child, my favorite thing has always been a book. Not just for the stories and information they contain, although that is a large part of it. Mostly, I have been fascinated by the concept of book as object—a tangible item whose purpose is to relate intangible ideas and images. Bookbindings and jackets, different editions, the marginalia in a used book—all of these things become part of the individual book and its significance, and are worth study and consideration. Books and their equivalent forms—perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus—have long been an essential part of material culture and are also one of our most significant sources of information about the human historical past. Through both the literal object of the book, the words contained thereon, and its relationship to other books—forms of context, text and intertext—we are able to learn and hopefully manage layers of information with which we would otherwise have no familiarity.

First, the good: this paragraph does a good job introducing my academic interest in the book-as-object, and shows off pre-existing knowledge both of the study of material culture and literary theory. Additionally, the language is engaging: the juxtaposition of “tangible” and “intangible” in the beginning and phrases like “perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus” lend life to the writing and keep the reader engaged.

If I were to go back and improve this paragraph, first, I would absolutely change the first sentence to something less cliche than talking about my childhood. I might try something like “My love of books is a multifaceted thing. I don’t only love them for the stories and….” Second, I would chill out on the em dashes a little bit. Three sets in one paragraph is a little excessive. Finally, I might actually cut this paragraph down slightly to make more room word-wise later in the statement to discuss what specific things about the program interest me.

Paragraph 2

Furthermore, blogs, webcomics, digital archives, e-readers, and even social media sites like tumblr and Facebook have revolutionized the concept of the book by changing how we share and transmit ideas and information, just as the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the book all those years ago in the fifteenth century. Once again there has been an explosion both in who can send out information and who can receive it.

This paragraph briefly and effectively introduces my other main academic interest: how new technology has changed the concept of the book-as-object. The tie-back to the printing press is a nice touch; it’s a vivid example that shows that I’m aware of important historical moments in book history.

Paragraph 3

I am deeply interested in the preservation of the physical book, as I think it is an important part of human history (not to mention a satisfying sensory experience for the reader). However I am also very concerned with the digitization and organization of information for the modern world such that the book, in all of its forms, stays relevant and easy to access and use. Collections of books, archives, and information as stored in the world’s servers, libraries and museums are essential resources that need to be properly organized and administered to be fully taken advantage of by their audiences. My purpose in applying to the University of Edinburgh’s Material Culture and History of the Book is to gain the skills necessary to keep all forms of the book relevant and functional in an age when information can move more radically than ever before.

This paragraph actually has a focus problem. Since it covers two topics, I should split it into two paragraphs: one on the integration of my two interests, and one on my goals and interests in the program. I could also stand to expand on what features the program has that interest me: professors I’d like to work with, particular aspects of the curriculum, etc.

In spite of these things, however, this paragraph does a good job clearly integrating the two academic interests related to the book I introduced in the first two paragraphs. And the language is still strong —“satisfying sensory experience” is a great phrase. However, I’ve been using the word “information,” a lot; I might try to replace with appropriate synonyms (like “knowledge”) in a couple of places.

Paragraph 4

Additionally, I intend on pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences upon completion of my master’s and I feel that this program while make me uniquely suited to approach library science from a highly academic and interdisciplinary perspective.

This final paragraph offers just quick touch on my future goals beyond the program. It’s typically fine for this to be relatively brief, as it is here, just so long as you can clearly identify some future goals.

Essay 2: Relevant Experience

The second prompt just asked me to describe my relevant knowledge, training, and skills.

As a folklore and mythology student, I have gained a robust understanding of material culture and how it relates to culture as a whole. I have also learned about the transmission of ideas, information, stories and pieces of lore among and between populations, which is an important component of book history. Folklore is also deeply concerned with questions of the literary vs. oral lore and the tendency for text to “canonize” folklore, and yet text can also question or invert canonized versions; along with this my studies in my focus field of religion and storytelling have been deeply concerned with intertextuality. One of my courses was specifically concerned with the Heian-period Japanese novel The Tale of Genji and questions of translation and representation in post-Heian picture scrolls and also modern translations and manga. In addition to broader cultural questions concerned with gender and spirituality both in historical Japan and now, we considered the relationships between different Genji texts and images.

This is a strong, focused paragraph. I relate my academic background in Folklore and Mythology to my interests in studying the book, as well as showing off some of my knowledge in the area. I also chose and elaborated on a strong example (my class on the Tale of Genji ) of my relevant coursework.

I also have work experience that lends itself to the study of the book. After my freshman year of college I interned at the Chicago History Museum. Though I was in the visitor services department I was exposed to the preservation and archival departments of the museum and worked closely with the education department, which sparked my interest in archival collections and how museums present collection information to the public. After my sophomore year of college and into my junior year, I worked at Harvard’s rare books library, Houghton. At Houghton I prepared curated collections for archival storage. These collections were mostly comprised of the personal papers of noteworthy individuals, categorized into alphabetical folders. This experience made me very process-oriented and helped me to understand how collections come together on a holistic basis.

This paragraph also has a clear focus: my past, relevant work experience. Discussing archival collections and presenting information to the public links the interests discussed in my first statement with my qualifications in my second statement. However, if I were to revise this paragraph, I would add some specific examples of the amazing things I worked on and handled at Houghton Library. In that job, I got to touch Oliver Cromwell’s death mask! An interesting example would make this paragraph really pop even more.

Finally, in my current capacity as an education mentor in Allston, a suburb of Boston, I have learned the value of book history and material culture from an educational perspective. As a mentor who designs curriculum for individual students and small groups, I have learned to highly value clearly organized and useful educational resources such as websites, iPad apps, and books as tools for learning. By managing and organizing collections in a way that makes sense we are making information accessible to those who need it.

This final paragraph discusses my current (at the time) work experience in education and how that ties into my interest in the history of the book. It’s an intriguing connection and also harkens back to my discussion of information availability in the paragraph three of the first statement. Again, if I were to amp up this statement even more, I might include a specific example of a book-based (or book technology-based) project I did with one of my students. I worked on things like bookbinding and making “illuminated manuscripts” with some of my students; those would be interesting examples here.

This statement is split into two parts by virtue of the two-prompt format. However, if I were to integrate all of this information into one unified statement of purpose, I would probably briefly introduce my research interests, go in-depth on my background, then circle back around to speak more about my personal interests and goals and what intrigues me about the program. There’s not really one correct way to structure a statement of purpose just so long as it flows well and paragraphs are structured in a logical way: one topic per paragraph, with a clear topic and concluding sentence.

More Statement of Purpose Examples

We’ve provided you with four great graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. However, if you’re looking for more, there are other sample letters of intent and statements of purpose for graduate school online. We’ve rounded up the best ones here, along with some strengths and weaknesses about each example.

Majortests Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a fairly straightforward, clearly written statement of purpose sample for a biology program. It includes useful commentary after each paragraph about what this statement of purpose is accomplishing.

• This statement of purpose sample is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and points made in each paragraph.
• The student clearly identifies what interests her about the program.
• The student proactively addresses questions about why she hasn’t gone directly to graduate school, and frames her professional research experience as a positive thing.
• She gives a tiny bit of color about her personality in a relevant way by discussing her involvement with the Natural History Society.
• In general, discussing high school interests is too far back in time unless the anecdote is very interesting or unusual. The detail about The Theory of Evolution is intriguing; the information about the high school teacher seems irrelevant. The student should have condensed this paragraph into a sentence or two.
• While this statement is cogently written and makes the candidate sound competent and well-qualified, it’s not exactly the most scintillating piece of writing out there. Some of the constructions are a little awkward or cliche. For example, the “many people have asked me” sentence followed by “the answer is” is a little bit clunky. This is probably fine for a STEM program. But just be aware that this statement is not a paragon of writing style.

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UC Berkeley History Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a graduate school statement of purpose example from the UC Berkeley History department’s PhD program, with annotations from a professor as to why it’s a successful statement.

• The author is able to very clearly and articulately lay out her research interests and link them to past work she has successfully completed, namely, her thesis.
• She is able to identify several things about the program and Berkeley that indicate why it is a good fit for her research interests.
• She addresses the time she spent away from school and frames it as a positive, emphasizing that her use of time was well-considered and productive.
• Her writing is very vivid, with excellent word choice and great imagery.

While very well-written and engaging, this sample statement of purpose for graduate school is a little bit on the long side! It’s a little over two single-spaced pages, which is definitely pushing the limits of acceptable length. Try to keep yours at 2 pages or less. Some of the information on the thesis (which comprises over half of the statement of purpose) could be condensed to bring it down to two pages.

Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent Sample

This is not technically a sample letter of intent for graduate school because it’s actually for a pharmacy residency program. However, this example still provides illumination as to what makes a decent graduate school letter of intent sample.

• This is a serviceable letter of intent: the writer clearly lays out their own goals within the field of pharmacy, what qualifications they have and how they’ve arrived at their interests, and how the program fits their needs.
• The writing is clearly structured and well-organized.
• The main weakness is that some of the writer’s statements come across as fairly generic. For example, “The PGY-1 Residency Program at UO Hospitals will provide me with the opportunity to further develop my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, teaching, research, and leadership skills” is a generic statement that could apply to any residency program. A punchier, more program-specific conclusion would have amped up this letter.
• While the writer does a decent job providing examples of their activities, like working as a tutor and attending the APhA conference, more specificity and detail in these examples would make the statement more memorable.
• There’s a typo in the last paragraph —a “to” that doesn’t belong! This is an unprofessional blip in an otherwise solid letter. Read you own letter of intent aloud to avoid this!

NIU Bad Statement of Purpose Example

This is an ineffective graduate school statement of purpose example, with annotations on why it doesn’t work.

As you might imagine, the main strength in this document is as an example of what not to do. Otherwise, there is little to recommend it.

• The annotations quite clearly detail the weaknesses of this statement. So I won’t address them exhaustively except to point out that this statement of purpose fails at both content and style. The author includes irrelevant anecdotes and lists without offering a decisive picture of interests or any particular insight into the field. Additionally, the statement is riddled with grammatical mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and strange acronyms.
• You’ll note that the commentary advises you to “never start with a quote.” I agree that you should never start with a freestanding quote as in this example. However, I do think starting with a quote is acceptable in cases like the Berkeley history example above, where the quote is brief and then directly linked to the research interest.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples: 4 Key Points

Graduate programs ask for statement of purpose to hear about your interests and goals and why you think you and the program would be a good fit.

There are four key elements to a successful statement of purpose:

• A clear articulation of your goals and interests
• Evidence of past experiences and success
• Interest and fit with the program
• Strong writing

We’ve provided you with four successful statement of purpose samples from our graduate school experts!

We also provided additional statement of purpose samples (and a sample letter of intent) for graduate school from other sources on the internet. Now you have all kinds of guidance!

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information on graduate school , see our guide to what makes a good GPA for grad school .

Not sure if you need to take the GRE ? See if you can get into graduate school without GRE scores .

Want more information about the GRE? We can help you figure out when to take the GRE , how to make a GRE study plan , and how to improve your GRE score .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

The Writing Guide

• The First Thing
• Step 1: Understanding the essay question
• Step 2: Critical note-taking
• Step 3: Planning your assignment
• Step 4a: Effective writing
• Step 4b: Summarizing & paraphrasing
• Step 4c: Academic language
• Step 5: Editing and reviewing
• Getting started with research
• Working with keywords
• Evaluating sources
• Research file
• Reading Smarter

Sample essay

The annotated big fake essay.

• What, why, where, when, who?
• Referencing styles
• Writing Resources
• Exams and Essay Questions

Sample Essay           

Click on the notes to read about features of the essay. You can dowload the annotated PDF below.

Note : This essay should be double-spaced before handing it in (we haven't double-spaced it to make it easier to read in this Guide).

• Download the Big Fake Essay PDF
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• Last Updated: May 13, 2024 5:20 PM
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30+ Short Essay Examples

Short essay examples.

Writing essays can be one of the most daunting aspects of applying to college. From the personal statement to the extracurricular list to short answer essay questions, the way you communicate your experiences and personality within your application is crucial. Looking at short essay examples is an excellent way to prepare yourself to write your own. In this guide, we’ll provide several short essay examples to help you get a sense of what schools are looking for. 

We’ll break down the differences between short answer essay examples and long essays, give you some college essay tips, and provide a wide variety of short essay examples. Reading short essay examples for college can help you brainstorm how to structure your essays to best represent your personality. In this guide we’ll look at short essay examples from Columbia, Princeton, and many other schools and colleges. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by college application essays, then you’re in the right place!

But before getting into our short essay examples, let’s learn more about different types of essays and their requirements.

Essay Types and Requirements

Writing essays is a crucial part of the college admissions process. Therefore, learning about the different types of essays you’ll need to write in your college applications is a good place to start the process. There are three main types of essays you’ll encounter as you apply to college: personal statement, long/medium essays, short answer essay questions. 

Common App essay

The Common App essay , also known as a Personal Statement, is the most well-known college essay you’ll have to write. So, it is not surprising that most colleges require the Common App essay/personal statement as part of their application process. The word limit for the personal statement is 650 words, and is it usually the longest essay requirement. 

Supplemental essays

Supplemental essays vary in length; however, many colleges will have long/medium essay requirements in addition to short answer essay questions. Generally, long/medium essays are between 200-400 words. That being said, you should always review the essay requirements for each college well before the application deadlines as they will vary. 

Short answer essays

A sub-type of the supplemental essay format are short answer essay questions. It can be easy to leave the short answer essays to the last minute. However, since these essays usually have a word limit of 50-150 words, they can actually be the most difficult to write. Therefore, it’s important to dedicate enough time and energy to your short answer essays as they can help your application stand out. 

This guide will focus on short essay examples and college essay tips for short answer essay questions. Short answer essays can be challenging, especially given the small word limit. Indeed, it can be hard to adequately capture your personality and strengths in such a short format. We’ll cover short essay examples later in this guide to help inspire your writing process!

Short Essays vs. Long Essays

Managing all the different types of essays needed for your applications can be difficult. And, while the short essays may feel like they don’t take as much effort, they are just as important as the personal statement or other longer essays. 

In general, you’ll find long essays take longer to plan and edit. However, the benefit of longer essays is that you have more room to explore your ideas. Alternatively, short answer essays require you to be very intentional with every word. Therefore, they may be trickier to brainstorm and to edit down below the word limit.

Reading examples of college essays can give you a sense of how long and short essays differ, and how you should shift your approach for each. In fact, many of the short essay examples we’ve collected highlight just how impactful short answer essays can be at communicating your unique personality and interests. While long essays grant you more space, short answer essays can quickly help you stand out in the admissions process. 

Together, short and long essays help paint a holistic picture of who you are. Additionally, they help indicate if you’d be a good fit for a specific school. Reading through short answer essay examples can give you a feel of the pace and tone schools are looking for in this type of essay. 

Do all college applications require short essays?

No, not all colleges require short essays! While you research short essay examples, it’s good to keep in mind the essay requirements for each of the schools on your college list. 

You may encounter schools with a mix of short essays and long/medium essays, such as the University of Southern California or UT Austin . Some schools will only have long/medium essays in addition to the personal statement, like Vanderbilt and the University of Chicago . On the other hand, there are schools that don’t have any supplemental essay requirements, like Northeastern and Oberlin . As you make your college list, be sure to review the college admissions requirements for each school. 

What colleges require short essays?

Many different colleges require short essays. Later in this guide, we’ll look at short essay examples from Stanford , Princeton , and Columbia . However, many other schools have short essay questions.

Colleges with Short Essays

• Brown University requires four short answer essays, ranging from 3 words to 100 words. 
• California Institute of Technology (CalTech) has three optional short essays with word limits between 50-150 words. Given how competitive Caltech is, researching some short answer essay examples is wise!
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)  requires five short essay responses as part of their application. Responses should be between 100-200 words.
• University of Southern California has different short essay questions depending on your major. Check out the additional application requirements for the specific school you’re applying to. 
• University of Notre Dame has five unique short essay prompts, and students have to pick three of them to complete. Each short essay has a word limit of 50 words. Students must also respond to two other essay prompts, and although not necessarily deemed “short” essays, they have word limits of only 150. 
• Dartmouth College has three separate essay supplements; only one is considered “short” with a word limit of 100 . Reading through college essay ideas can help you brainstorm your best Dartmouth short essay. 
• Tufts University has two supplemental essay requirements, one of which is considered a short essay. For the Tufts short essay, all students must complete a sentence in 100 words or less explaining why they are applying. Take advantage of Tuft’s guide on tackling the short essay questions. 
• University of Pennsylvania has two mandatory short answer essays and one that is major specific. Each has a word limit of 150-200 words. 
• Virginia Tech has four required short essay prompts, each with a 120-word limit. 
• Occidental College has one 20-word response supplemental essay as well as a 150-200 word essay among their essay requirements.

As you can see, short essays are prevalent in many schools’ essay requirements. Therefore, reading short essay examples will help you with your applications. And remember, be sure to check each school’s specific requirements as every school is different! Writing requirements can also change yearly so search the school’s site for the most up-to-date information.

Examples of Short Prompts

In this section, we’ve compiled several short essay examples for you. For these short essay examples, we’ve included several different answers to each prompt. This will help you see the wide variety of ways you can tackle short answer essay questions. For each prompt, we’ll give you some college essay tips, and break down ways you can approach these short essays. 

The following prompts are all variations on personal interest essays. In general, these short answer essay questions help admissions officers understand your unique perspective and how your interests have shaped your understanding of the world. You can use these short essay examples as a jumping off point to shape your own approach to personal interest short essays. 

Let’s check out the first prompt and three short essay examples that answer it. 

When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch? (50 word limit)

Response #1.

Read: The New York Times, Vox, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Quora. Favorite authors include Siddhartha Mukherjee, Atul Gawande, Dushka Zapata, and Zora Neale Hurston. 

Listen: This American Life, The Daily, Radiolab, Invisibilia, U.S. and French pop. 

Watch: The Good Place, Brooklyn 99, YouTube science, baking, and fingerstyle guitar videos.

Response #2

Read: an unhealthy number of self-help books, re-reading Just Kids by Patti Smith, every one of Audre Lorde’s books… 

Listen to: Danez Smith’s slam poetry (my personal favorite? Dinosaurs in the Hood), Still Woozy, Invisibilia… 

Watch: all the television I was forbidden from watching when I was twelve, POSE, ContraPoints, YouTubers criticizing ContraPoints… 

Response #3

Read: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, The Wendigo, How To Write an Autobiographical Novel, Night Sky With Exit Wounds, Brainpickings.org weekly newsletter

Listen: Shostakovich, Lauv, Atlas, 20-hour-rain soundtrack on Spotify 

Watch: Avatar, Forrest Gump, Schindler’s List, Hachi (if in the mood to cry), any Marvel movie!

These media focused short answer essay questions are very popular as your answer can say a lot about who you are! However, don’t try to be impressive or list things you haven’t actually read or watched – be honest and let your personality come through. 

Now, let’s look at some more prompts and their short essay examples:

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

I love literature and art that helps me explore my roots and learn to love myself. These works and authors include: The Color Purple, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,

Maya Angelou, Day of Tears, Hope for the Flowers, and Langston Hughes.

What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

I enjoy newspapers and magazines that enable me to learn something everyday. I like National Geographic because it lets me learn more about science. Once it even inspired me to do a self directed project on albatrosses. I also enjoy The Economist as it gives me a well rounded view of today’s politics and economics.

What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)

“December 24th, 9pm, Eastern Standard time.” Rent began. I was sitting in between my best friends. We were losing circulation in our hands from holding on too tight and washing off our make-up with our tears. I felt an immense sense of harmony with the play and it was fantastic.

These short essay examples show how robust of an answer you can write with 50 words. Furthermore, they’re great examples of how students are able to expand on their personal interests to create a cohesive story with their essays. Indeed, the best college essay ideas will strengthen your personal narrative, even within short responses! These short essay examples show how much you can learn about an applicant in minimal words.

Moving on from those unique prompts, let’s turn to a favorite among schools. You’re likely to see a version of the following prompt for many different colleges. 

Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford. (50 word limit)

I live by my motto: “Dare!” in all instances of Truth or Dare.

Apparently, so do the students who brave Secret Snowflake. It spotlights what I love most, Truth or Dare minus the truth. Will I attempt to break the jalapeno eating record? Hop into The Claw in sub-zero temperatures?

We’ve included this Stanford prompt to highlight the ways in which short essay examples for college can also be used to gauge your knowledge about the school you’re applying to. Many college essay tips are school specific , but it’s important to think broadly when reading examples of college essays.

While some college essay advice may apply more to one school than another, many college essay tips can be used across various schools. This prompt highlights the importance of using research to demonstrate your interest in a school. 

In general, you might notice that many short essay examples have quite unique prompts. The following prompt is creative and fun, allowing students to take their response in any direction they want.  

Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time? (50 word limit)

I’d split my hour two ways, investing time in my own wellbeing and in others. Half I’d spend baking treats for friends, which would double as a personal gift, since I find baking—like running—relaxing and restorative. The second half I’d spend answering Quora questions—something I’ve been meaning to pay forward.

At eight, I dreamed of becoming a YouTuber, documenting life in rectangular video. Each year, this dream drew further from reach.

With extra time, I’d retrieve what time stole. Creating comedic skits or simply talking about my day, I’d pursue what I value most—making others laugh and capturing beautiful moments.

These short essay examples demonstrate how one thought-provoking question can capture someone’s personality and values. College admissions officers use these questions to see how well a student knows themselves and what their priorities are. When reading examples of college essays, try to imagine how your answer will come across to a stranger. What details do you need to include to make sure your thoughts and ideas come across clearly? 

How to write a short answer essay for college?

After reading a couple of short essay examples, you may feel overwhelmed with how to answer the short answer essay questions. When you’re applying to college the short answer questions may be the last thing on your priority list. However, as our short answer essay examples demonstrate, short essays can help your application stand out. 

When you first approach a short essay prompt, feel free to break it down into even smaller parts. What is the core idea you’re trying to convey? Try to answer the prompt in a single answer, or even word, first. You can then use the remaining word count to explain or justify your answer. The best short essay examples get right to the point and communicate the answer clearly and concisely. 

Once you have a version you’re happy with, get some feedback! While the short answer essay examples we’ve included feel effortless, rest assured that they were edited and workshopped. Remember that the short essay examples paint a picture of the applicant– think about what you’re putting forward, and what assumptions the reader may make.

Planning your short essay responses

Despite the small word count, short essay examples for college require thoughtful planning and careful execution. Try reading the short answer essay examples as a college admissions officer might. What story is being told? Is it being told well? 

Then consider the response in the context of an application. Are you trying to highlight your experiences and how they relate to your major? Is there anything you’re proud of that you want to mention? Looking at the short essay examples holistically can help you see how other students have been able to shape a narrative, and, in turn, can help you map out yours. 

As our examples of college essays highlight, it’s important to be precise with your words – each word should have a role and work towards your overall answer. There’s no room for fluff here! 

Things to avoid in your short essay responses!

All of our short essay examples are well-written. However, it can be helpful to know what to stay away from in your responses.

Firstly, and most importantly, avoid generic answers. Have your answers be true to who you are, and allow them to display your unique personality. The short essay examples included in this article show how crucial personality is in the application process. Good short essay examples tell you something about the author and leave you with a better sense of who they are. 

When brainstorming college essay ideas, don’t try to create totally new interests to appear impressive. It’s hard to fake authenticity. As such, owning your experiences and hobbies will be more impactful than inventing them. The short answer essay questions are a tool to help bolster your application – use them that way!

The last thing to avoid when writing short essays is waiting until the last minute to get started. While it may be tempting to focus on your longer essays, it will be obvious to admissions officers if the short answer essay questions were rushed through. The short answer essay examples included here were not written the day of the application deadline – careful planning and drafting are essential! 

What is the format for a short essay?

The beauty of short essays is that there is no single format you have to follow. As demonstrated with our short essay examples, some answers come in list form and others in short paragraph form. So don’t be afraid to experiment with the format of your answers. But remember, answering the prompt directly and quickly will allow you room to explore your rationale – don’t make the college admissions officer search for your answer! 

Researching examples of college essays that experiment with form can help you think outside the box. There is no one formula for short essay examples, so let yourself be creative. With such a limited word count, you don’t have the space to build up to your answer. The short answer essay examples we’ve included here don’t follow the traditional essay format. Don’t be afraid to break away from traditional essay rules – as long as your essay response answers the prompt, it can take on any form!

As previously mentioned, we’ve got some school-specific essay examples in store for you – starting with examples for the Columbia essay.

Columbia Short Essay Examples

The Columbia essay, like all short essays, is an important part of the overall application. The short essay examples below can help you brainstorm your own responses and serve as a guide as you write your own Columbia essay. 

Let’s jump into our Columbia essay examples. Here are the prompts and the short essay examples: 

Columbia Essay Examples Guidelines

For the list question that follows, there is a 100-word maximum. Please refer to the below guidance when answering this question: 

• Your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons.
• Items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. 
• It is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications.
• No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.

List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (100 words or fewer) 

1984, Oedipus Rex, Antigone, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, Number the Stars, Beowulf, Into the Wild, The Crucible, The Art of Strategy, The New York Times, NBC News, NPR, The Associated Press, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, CNalaysis, Elections Daily, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, Split Ticket, FiveThirtyEight, Twitter/X, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Nature, Animal World, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, Mathematical Reviews, Timeline – World History Documentaries, History Matters, Mr. Beat, Oversimplified, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

List a few words or phrases that describe your ideal college community. (150 words or fewer) 

Cultivates conversations that cross all boundaries and borders whether in the dorms of John Jay or at The Forum. 

A community that is collaborative but challenges individuals to be the best versions of themselves. 

Where a homebody can chill with a slice of Koronet pizza or go out for a night on the town. 

A campus spirited with the buzz and excitement of the city yet mellow with the rhythmic clicks and frantic thoughts in the library. 

Full of hands with sore thumbs and paper cuts from flipping through the pages of The Aeneid 

Where an introverted-extrovert can get lost in the crowds of 8 million people or among fellow students on the Van Am Quad. 

Home. 

List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or fewer) 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or fewer) 

The Girls by Emma Cline, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, How to Be a Bawse by Lilly Singh

List the titles of the print, electronic publications and websites you read regularly. (150 words or fewer) 

Time Magazine, Vox.com (especially the Youtube channel), Vogue, Refinery29.com

List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or fewer) 

Isolation Tour (Kali Uchis), American Teen Tour (Khalid), Music Midtown (Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Rainbow Kitten Surprise) – Freudian by Daniel Caesar, The New York Times Great Hall exhibit at the Newseum, “Pictures of the Year: 75 Years of the World’s Best Photography” at the Newseum – A Changing America at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “The Future Is…” podcast summer series, Stuff You Should Know (podcast by HowStuffWorks), The Good Place, Mad Men

You’ll notice that all of the Columbia essay prompts are in list format. Therefore, they don’t leave you much room to explain or elaborate on your answers. The lists you create will speak for themselves. These short essay examples highlight the ways you can still create a strong narrative through the lists you make. 

Next, we’ll turn our attention to some great Princeton essay examples!

Princeton Short Essay Examples

Remember, when researching short essay examples for college, it can be helpful to have college-specific short essay examples. Let these short answer essay examples inspire you as you begin brainstorming your response for your own Princeton essay. 

Here are the Princeton essay examples:

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words max) 

I would like to learn the important skill of team collaboration in college. Through research programs and student organizations, I will work within a team and navigate diverse perspectives. This will help prepare me for the collaborative complexities of the real world beyond the campus.

What brings you joy? (50 words max) 

One of my hobbies is building election models that predict the results of the next general election. It brings me great joy when I predict the results with profound accuracy, and even if I get some wrong, it’s all part of the unpredictable process—sometimes even my models need a recount!

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words max) 

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield represents the soundtrack of my life right now. Its lyrics mirror my journey of self-discovery and untapped potential. Lines like “Feel the rain on your skin; no one else can feel it for you” inspire me to embrace my responsibilities and savor life’s experiences.

When reading them as a whole, each Princeton essay should work to create a sense of who you are and what you’re interested in. When writing a Princeton essay, it can be tempting to come across a certain way, or try to mimic what you think college admissions officers want. However, it’s important to remain authentic in your essays and own your interests and passions. These short essay examples demonstrate this – the more authentic your answer, the better your essay will be! 

Below, we’ll wrap up our school-specific essay examples with one final school: Stanford.

Stanford Short Essays Examples

For the Stanford short essays, we’ve included more than one example for each prompt. With such a small word count, you’ll have to be super careful with your Stanford short essays. Read through these Stanford short essays to help jumpstart your writing process . 

Here are some short essay examples for the Stanford short essays: 

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit)

The deterioration of political and personal empathy. There’s been an aggressive devaluing of inclusive mindsets and common ground rules—the kind of solidarity of purpose necessary to accommodate divergent viewpoints, respect evidence, share burdens, and tackle national/international emergencies like climate change and immigration. We are fumbling—in backwards tribalism—while the world burns.

Where’s Waldo books. 

By searching for Waldo, we subconsciously teach children that certain people aren’t meant to belong–they are meant to be hunted. Our brains may be hardwired to notice people who are different, but we are instructed to treat those people differently. 

Searching for Waldo must be consciously unlearned. 

Ignorance poses a paradoxical issue: we can’t solve a problem that we don’t know exists.

For fifteen years, I heard gentrification and thought humanitarian. The Oxford English Dictionary had even taught me that gentrification means “positive change.” How can such atrocities become noticed when our perceptions are so skewed?

Response #4

Greed. The root of all evil. To make momentous strides towards improving societal conditions, people and corporations must put aside their greed. Unfortunately, greed – the deep, dark desire for power and money – is the dominant force at work in many aspects of society, making it society’s most significant challenge.

These short answer essay examples highlight the different approaches you can take when answering this question. These short essay examples get to the point quickly– each example directly answers the prompt within a single sentence (or word), and then uses the remaining space to justify the answer. 

Now let’s look at the second prompt and short essay examples:

How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

Learned to drive; internship in Silicon Valley (learned to live alone and cook for myself!); Governor’s Honors Program; AAJA JCamp in Detroit; wrote articles for The Borgen Project; lobbied at the Capitol and met Rep. Lucy McBath; Kenyon Review Young Writers in Ohio; read a whole lot.

My goal: Adventure

2015: Moved from North Carolina to Texas (mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama in between), vacationed in Orlando.

2016: Math program at MIT in Boston, engineering program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, mission trip to Laredo, Texas, vacation to northern California including the lovely Palo Alto.

These short essay examples highlight the ways in which you can play with form. The first example is in list form, while the second breaks up the answer into an easily digestible format. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your form with the short answer essay questions – they don’t have to follow a traditional format.

Here’s the third prompt:

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 spaceflight. Tereshkova’s skill, grit, and persistence carried her from working in a textile factory, through grueling tests and training, to becoming the first woman to fly solo in space. Her accomplishment remains symbolic of women’s empowerment and the expanded progress that’s possible with equity in STEM opportunities.

In 2001, Egyptian authorities raided a gay nightclub, arresting 55 men. The prosecutors tried them under fujur laws—initially passed by Egyptian nationalists to counter British ‘immorality’ during colonization. 

Watching the prosecution construct homosexuality as un-Egyptian would illustrate the extent anti-Western sentiment drove homophobia and how similar anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric remains today. 

Most definitely Paganini’s legendary one-stringed performance; one-by-one, his violin strings snapped mid-performance until he was left with only the G-string. Being Paganini, he simply continued to play flawlessly all on that single string!

Change does not happen without courage. I wish I could have witnessed the courage it took for the four A&T students sit in at the Woolworth’s counter in my hometown, Greensboro, North Carolina. I want to see the light overcoming darkness that created a change to last forever.

When applying to college, you may encounter prompts like this one, where you’re expected to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of world events. These short answer essay examples demonstrate how you can display your personality and interests in prompts like these.

Let’s look to the fourth prompt:

What five words best describe you? (5 word limit)

Speak up. Take action. Together.

Peter Parker meets Atticus Finch

The light of the world

Short answer essay questions like these can feel the most challenging, but don’t be afraid to get creative. They are meant to help capture the essence of your personality. These short essay examples for college highlight the ways these answers can have such a big impact, in such a small format.

What makes a short essay statement stand out?

When applying to college, there’s a lot of pressure to make your essays stand out. The best short essay examples help communicate the writer’s personality and interests clearly. Developing your personal writing style is key in having your short answer essay examples stand out. Start early and don’t be afraid to get creative!

It’s also important to consider how your essays will work together.Do they tell a cohesive narrative? Do they work to highlight different experiences but help connect your bigger picture message? Reading short essay examples with a focus on cohesion can help you map out your responses. 

The best way to have your short essays stand out is to plan them out carefully, and make sure they are authentic, demonstrating who you are and what you’re interested in. The best short essay examples feel genuine and convey a core aspect of the writer’s personality. Draft and edit your short essays until they feel right to you! 

Additional Short Essay Tips

In addition to outlining short essay examples for college, we’ve compiled some additional tips to help you get started with your college essay ideas:

1. Have a brain dumping session. 

When reading short essay examples for college, it can feel intimidating if you’re unsure of what to write about. Having a brain dumping session can be a great way to inspire the writing process and help you map out what you want to communicate. Don’t worry about structure or formatting; just free-write and let the words flow! 

2. Edit, edit, edit.

It’s likely that your first draft of short essays will go over the word limit, but don’t worry! The short essay examples included here were not first drafts – they were honed and edited down to their current versions. Keep this in mind as you read short essay examples for college, and be sure to plan enough time for the editing process when writing your own essays. 

3. Be truthful.

One thing all of our short answer essay examples have in common is that they are authentic to the writer. The best short essay examples make you feel closer to the writer. They should allow you to understand the writer on a deeper level. It can be tempting to embellish your short answer essay responses to match what you think a school wants to hear, but authenticity is hard to replicate. Therefore, be true to yourself when writing your short essay responses.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore

After you’ve explored the short answer essay examples outlined here, be sure to utilize the many other resources CollegeAdvisor has to offer. In addition to guidance on the overall admissions process , CollegeAdvisor has several other resources on writing essays. After reading these short answer essay examples, you can watch our webinars on essays: Writing About Extracurriculars in Your College Essays and Supplemental Essays . 

CollegeAdvisor also has ample resources on specific colleges. You can find additional short essay examples for Columbia , Barnard , and Stanford , as well as tips and tricks from former admissions officers. If you are looking for college admissions resources, CollegeAdvisor has you covered!

Short Essay Examples – Final Takeaways

While the short answer essays may seem like the easiest part of an application, using the limited word count in a smart, thoughtful way is challenging. The short essay examples for college highlight how impactful short essays can be in building out your overall candidate profile. As you start writing your short essay answers, be sure to remain authentic and truthful. And don’t be afraid to get creative! 

College essay writing can be stressful, but don’t let the short answer essay questions intimidate you– and definitely don’t leave them to the last minute! Take your time, plan thoughtfully, and be confident in your answers. The best short essay examples for college bring out your personality – be bold and rest assured that you’re putting your best foot forward. 

This article was written by senior advisor Jess Klein . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
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• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved July 10, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/

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Higher Level Essay

Whether you are an HL Literature student or HL Lang/Lit student, the HLE requires some special attention.  The good thing about this assessment is that it’s a processed – rather than on-demand – piece of writing.  This means you can take your time, put in the work, and produce something that you love and makes you proud.  Our students crush this assessment!  Use the same resources they do and enjoy your success.

HLE Writing Guide

Writing this assessment doesn’t have to be challenging.  In fact, we think it can be fun and rewarding!  Let us guide you through the entire writing process, from line of inquiry to the last word of your conclusion.  Our students do well on this assessment, and so can you.

Part of our  IBDP English A Student Toolkit , this resource includes:

• 100-page course book with guidance on films, photos, cartoons, and many other non-literary BOWs
• 5 sample papers across genres
• Examiner scores and comments
• Line of Inquiry guidance
• Step-by-step approach to building the HLE in small and manageable chunks
• Complete set of graphic organizers to guide students from start to finish

Developing a Line of Inquiry and Thesis

The Line of Inquiry (LOI) and thesis are the cornerstone of the assessment, so don’t proceed until these are under control.  Sadly, many students get off to a poor start with this step, and this means they end up writing either a shallow essay or one that doesn’t really satisfy the requirements of the task.  These videos should help you unlock the task.

Start with a text you love and work toward developing a literary or linguistic perspective. Watch this video and start your pathway to success.

How To Write the Line of Inquiry

If the first method didn't work for you, please try another approach.

How to Write the Line of Inquiry (part 2)

Turn that LoI into a clear, precise, and insightful thesis statement that will drive the essay.

HLE Sample Thesis Statements and Writing

The HLE Complete Course from Start to Finish

We feel this is some of our best work.  Teachers and students around the world have commented that this HLE series gets the job done and results in some powerful writing that makes students proud.  Please take the time and work through the videos sequentially.  Work along side with us.  Let us guide you to HLE success!

Choose your text and write the LOI.

Student planning doc

Model Student planning doc

Time for brainstorming and outlining.

Student Organizer

Completed Sample Organizer

Master the intro and conclusion.

Sample Intro and Conclusion

Learn how to write strong HLE body paragraphs.

Sample Body Paragraphs

Learn to revise, edit, and polish the final product.

Final instructions before submission

Dave’s complete sample HLE

Some Sample Papers

Sometimes it’s easier to just look at a final product, break it down, and see how other students have approached the HLE.  That’s why Dave and Andrew selected some strong papers, highlighted them, and discussed their strengths and weaknesses.  We’ve examined tons of these things, so listen carefully.  Lots of tips and tricks in these videos to help you pick up some extra points and crack into that mark band you want and deserve.  Understand the task.  Work hard.  Defeat the HLE and allow yourself to beam with pride.  Go ahead, you’ve earned it.

You’ve probably noticed that Andrew and Dave love drama. Dialogue, stage directions, props…they’re amazing! Watch our student crush this HLE on Death and the Maiden by Dorfman. What can you steal from this essay in terms of ideas, organization, and overall approach? Document: HLE Student Sample – Drama

Poetry anyone? Andrew and Dave love poetry for the HLE. They are complete “mini works” with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They are rich in techniques. They are complex and have deep meaning. In short, they rock. Just remember that for the HLE, “short texts need friends.” Document: HLE Student Sample – Poetry

Looking For More Support?

Hey, nobody said this thing would be easy.  No worries.  We’ve got you covered.  Perhaps you want to see some more student writing?  Check.  We’ve got that.  Perhaps you want to know some key points to include?  Check.  We got that too.  You’re almost there!  Finish these last two videos, add some finishing touches to your work, and submit that baby in with pride and confidence.

So you watched the videos above but are still concerned about “showing deep thinking” on the HLE? It’s ok – we know this is tough. Check out this video to see several samples of how to build big thinking into your writing. Document: Showing Deep Thinking in the HLE

We know, we know. The content is overwhelming and it’s just too much at times. You just want the top ten tips for success? Fine. Here you go. But don’t forget to go back and watch the rest of these videos when you’re feeling more energy. They’re a set. Watch them all and ace the HLE.

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Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence

This essay about projectile violence examines its definition and impact on society, including various forms such as murders, suicides, domestic violence, accidental shootings, and mass shootings. It highlights the causes, consequences, and potential solutions, emphasizing the need for stricter gun control laws, community interventions, and public education to reduce harm and promote safety.

How it works

Category projectile every violence has legible caractéristiques and plays in favour of postmen, asks, for access done directed an order he and adjured them.

Cite this page

Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence. (2024, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/

"Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence." PapersOwl.com , 28 Jun 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/ [Accessed: 11 Jul. 2024]

"Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence." PapersOwl.com, Jun 28, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/

"Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence," PapersOwl.com , 28-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/. [Accessed: 11-Jul-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Understanding the Definition and Impact of Gun Violence . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/understanding-the-definition-and-impact-of-gun-violence/ [Accessed: 11-Jul-2024]

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Knowing when to call it quits takes courage and confidence - 3 case studies

Professor of Political Science, Trinity College

Chairperson and Associate Professor of Law, College of Staten Island, CUNY

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After President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance at the June 27, 2024, debate, many Democrats have raced to ring the alarm bell, proclaiming that it’s time for him to step aside, time to let someone else take the reins in hopes of defeating Donald Trump in November.

With that in mind, as political scientists with a side interest in sports, we recount three moments from history when men and women faced the difficult decision to stay or go. We hope they will help inform the current discussion.

We begin with two who worked at the highest levels of power in the U.S.:

President Lyndon Johnson, 1968

On the final night of March 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson, known universally as “LBJ,” spoke to the nation from the Oval Office to say that the United States would unilaterally halt nearly all its bombing in North Vietnam.

But as his address came to a close, he had something more to say:

Shocking his audience, LBJ added : “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”

Johnson was 59 years old. Three-and-a-half years earlier, he had scored one of the greatest landslides in American history, winning 61% of the vote and 44 states in the 1964 presidential election .

A scant few individuals so aptly defined the term “political animal” as LBJ. He had come to Washington as a young man bursting with ambition and succeeded like few others.

Indeed, since becoming president after John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination , Johnson had ushered through Congress an avalanche of progressive legislation , including the historic 1964 Civil Rights and 1965 Voting Rights acts. With the possible exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt, no other president had achieved so much legislatively.

But on that March day in 1968, at a time of growing antiwar protests and the accelerating pull of rival candidates for the Democratic nomination, he understood that he now led a country coming apart at the seams. Despite having declared his candidacy for reelection, seeking another term might make things worse.

It was time for someone else to have a turn.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 2013

As one of us recounts in his book, “ A Supreme Court Unlike Any Other: The Deepening Divide Between the Justices and the People ,” President Barack Obama invited Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for a private lunch at the White House in the summer of 2013.

Obama wanted to nudge Ginsburg into retirement. The 80-year-old justice was a two-time survivor of pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest of all cancers. She had already served on the high court for two decades and had carved out a legacy as a staunch liberal and champion of women’s equality.

Additionally, Obama was concerned about the upcoming midterm elections. If the Democrats lost the Senate, he would not be able to replace her with a like-minded justice, because a GOP-run Senate would not confirm such a nominee.

Ginsburg didn’t take Obama’s hint.

Soon after the lunch, she noted, “ I think one should stay as long as she can do the job .” She added shortly after , “There will be a president after this one, and I’m hopeful that that president will be a fine president.”

That next president was Donald Trump.

Ginsburg died in mid-September 2020, just weeks before Joe Biden would oust Trump from the White House. But significantly, Trump had sufficient time to fill Ginsburg’s seat with the conservative Amy Coney Barrett .

In 2022, Barrett provided the fifth and decisive vote in the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade’s federal protection of abortion rights .

Deciding when to step away or stay may have deep consequences in the political world.

The consequences are big in sports, as well, but at a more personal level.

Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce, 2024

Skeptics said he was too small to play among the giants on an offensive line in the NFL. Not strong enough. Not tough enough. A former walk-on who had been drafted in 2011 in the sixth round .

But in a short space of time, Jason Kelce redefined the position of center and helped guide his team to its first-ever Super Bowl win.

In 2024, Kelce’s team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was still one of the best in the NFL. It had been to the Super Bowl just a year earlier, and Kelce was still considered to be playing near the top of his game.

But Kelce had had enough. It was time for him to end his playing days.

Sitting before a packed room of reporters and family members, the bare-armed and burly-chested 36-year-old Kelce set out to say goodbye .

But before he could even get a sentence out, his emotions took over, forcing him to pause for several moments. He held his head in his hands, sobbing, sniffling, snorting, taking deep breaths. Tears streamed down his face throughout the news conference. Repeatedly, he had to stop and wipe them away with a washcloth someone tossed to him.

As he struggled to get through his statement, listeners could hear him motivate himself several times with the phrase, “Come on.”

The ‘courage to call it quits’

Kelce’s retirement announcement is both difficult and extraordinarily captivating to watch. During those 40 minutes, he displays the courage it takes to call it quits when there is still something to be gained.

The picture was of a man coming to terms with his fate. Not because of injury or lack of skill, but because he believed it was necessary to take this step before those things forced him out.

Are there moments when we can judge for another when it is time to bow out? Most assuredly, there are. Hopefully, we do so with compassion and gratitude, but there are simply times when conscience demands an honest reckoning and unflinching truth-telling.

• Lyndon Baines Johnson
• Voting Rights Act
• US Constitution
• Political conventions
• US presidency
• Mental ageing
• 25th Amendment
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Civil Rights Act
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• US democracy

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