Writing The College Application Essay (Page 8 of 9) in pdf

Writing The College Application Essay Page 8

Write several middle paragraphs—not necessarily three!

Write a concluding paragraph. Think about referring back to your introduction to give a

satisfying sense of conclusion. Notice that the 3 sample essays in this handout all refer back to

the introduction in their concluding paragraph. Use up your word limit—don’t let your essay be

more than a few words short of the word limit.

Dig Deeper: While you are writing, try to state more than just the facts. This is the time to try

and take your ideas further. If you think you don’t have anything else to say, look at what you’ve

jotted down and ask yourself: “So what?” Why is what you said important? What did it teach

you? What does it mean? What are the broader implications?” (Sparknotes Editors).

Revise the introduction so that it points directly to your conclusion.

Step 3. Revising for Style. This topic is well covered in “Style in College Admission Essays,”

available at

Step 4. Revising for readability, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Let at least three

other people, like a parent, an English teacher or other professor, and a Writing Center tutor, read

your essay. Make sure that all words are spelled correctly, and that there are no mistakes in

grammar, punctuation and mechanics. This is essential! Do not hit the “send” key until you have

had at least three other people read over your essay.

From Alamance Community College’s Writing Center

Writing The College Application Essay Page 8