Three key elements should be included in your college essay introduction: the hook for your opening, a description or an experience you would like to describe and a clear setting up of your story. All three are important to the success and quality of your essay. However, lets focus on how you can begin.
1. Create a great hook
You know how important a good hook is if you are a storyteller. All of the best books start with a great opening sentence or word. This makes readers want to continue reading. Youre telling your story in the college essay.
2. Understand Who You Are Speaking To
A college admissions official is your target audience. Consider their background. Harvard is a good example. They only accepted 2,000 students out of over 40,000 applications.
Admissions officers must sift though tens or thousands of applications in order to select the exceptional candidates that they wish to accept. If youre going to be on that list, you have to make a statement. You can do this in the opening of your essay.
3. Ending Intro
Your essays opening paragraph is more than just the first sentence. Three things are needed in your opening paragraph:
- Initial hook
- You should describe the story you will tell and its content.
- The pivot is where you relate your story to what you want to say in your essay.
You will typically pivot by stating your thesis, which is the main point of your essay. You are not spoiling the entire essay; youre just setting the stage for what you will say later.
You want your reader to be interested, to know what you are going describe and to understand your overall point.
4. You dont have to start from the beginning
Last piece of advice before we examine some real-life college application essay examples: dont start your essay from the beginning.
Your opening is important for the rest your essay. It must be an experience or story carefully planned to introduce your point. It is not enough to have an amazing opener if you dont link it with your essay.
Write down your story or point before you begin writing. Write out your story or point before you write the opening. Then, you will know what it needs to accomplish and be able to craft a line that grabs the readers interest.
How to start an essay in an interesting way
Choose something different to start your essay. It will make you stand out. Here are some ways that you can start your essay in a way that will capture the readers attention immediately.
1. The striking description
A vivid description is a great way to grab your readers interest.
Examples: " When I walked into this small room it was filled with brown, crumpled and stale leaves. It smelled of woodsmoke."
This bold example instantly creates a mental image. The writer has engaged the senses of the reader, allowing them to imagine themselves in this setting.
It will help you grab your readers attention from the very beginning.
Be careful when creating images that are unusual or disturbing to grab the readers interest. You should remember that college essays are subjective. You may be less likely accepted if you offend or disgust your admissions officer.
2. The Secret
Your essay should begin with a question. The "mystery approach" engages readers and makes them curious.
"The knife is on the counter." It shouldnt be there.
This example raises many questions. "Whos knife? Why is it not there? The essay will address these questions later. They dont understand what its about.
Continue reading to find out what is going on.
This is an effective way to begin your college application essay. You can create mystery by asking questions. Be sure to address each question throughout the essay. You want to make the reader feel intrigued, not confused!
This is an actual example of a college essay that was successful.
" Since elementary school, I have always lived alone. (Kevin Zevallos)
This detail is unusual and immediately causes questions. Why would an unaccompanied child live alone in the house? The reader is compelled to continue reading in order to learn more.
3. Addressing you directly, I would like to express my appreciation for your help.
Start your essay by asking a question directly to the reader. This will help you stand out amongst other essays that the admissions committee may read.
Do you think every life matters? Do you agree?
This example asks a philosophical question that can cause division, and then it turns the question directly to the reader. It appears as if they are being pressured into answering. This is a very risky but effective manoeuvre. It can be shocking to break the fourth wall!
It is important to use this method with caution. It can become boring if overdone. It can be a great opener if used correctly.
4. A short story was told about a certain event.
You can start off your college essays with an anecdote. The writer uses this technique to share an experience, anecdote or story that highlights his or her strengths.
Example: "When i was five, i had a cat toy that l dragged around everywhere. We were always together! Luna was the first real cat I asked my mother for when I was 10. This is where my passion for caring about animals began."
Use anecdotes to introduce yourself. This example is good because it uses a story about a person to explain their passion for animal care. In this case, the degree they chose is directly related to that interest.
5. The Funny One
Use a funny or witty anecdote to begin your essay if it is appropriate. This will set the tone. Use this method only if you are able to use humor in your essay.
Example: "I managed to escape my mothers grip and charged. As I rushed through Costco, my chubby little legs and arms were flailing. My mothers horrified eyes widened when I jettisoned a churro. It was a cinnamon sugar rocket that gracefully sliced it way through in the air.
Brittany Stinson wrote a famous Costco College Essay that led her to five Ivy League Schools. It is risky to use a humorous story in a college essay. Only strong writers who have a sense of humor should do this. Addition of humor in your essay is a sure-fire way to hit home runs.
College Essay Introductions You Should Avoid
Your essay must reflect your true self. Avoid famous quotes and anything else that doesnt come directly from you. George Orwells essay on essay mistakes is a good example to follow. You can apply his advice to your college application.
When you are writing, always ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I want to say?
- What will be the words to express it?
- What picture or phrase will help make the point?
- Does this image have the ability to create an impression?
You can ask yourself all of these questions. By using these tips, you will be able to improve the quality of your essay. Orwell gave six other "rules", more like guidelines rather than rules.
- "Never ever use a figure of language, such as a metaphor or simile that you see in print.
- Use short words when a longer one is sufficient.
- Cut out any words that you can.
- Never use passive when you could use active.
- If you have an English word that is equivalent to the foreign phrase or scientific term, then use it.
- It is better to break one of these guidelines than to say something truly barbarous."
These rules are a little outdated. After all, who calls something barbarous these days? Do not let the sound advice be distracted by this. Orwells rules and questions basically boil down this way: ask yourself why you choose to write what you do.
It is better to express yourself as clearly as you can in your writing, than to try to sound clever or to use tired phrases. Here are some examples of college essays introductions.
College Essay Examples
Check out some introductions to college essays that have helped students get into college utilizing the methods listed above.
"My father told me I didnt cry at birth. I was born with my brow furrowed, almost accusatorily looking at him, as if asking "Who are You? What am i doing here? What am I doing here? How did air enter my lungs? It is true that my curiosity was pre-programmed. – Marina, Harvard
This opening is successful for several different reasons. This opening is effective for several reasons. Its the first line that grabs your attention.
Second, its funny. The image is likely to put the reader into a good mood.
Finally, the essay ends with a "compulsion to question." This is a brilliant move. You go straight from a hilarious image of a child to how that image relates to aspects of their application.
This applicant has created an intriguing twist for the Princeton University application.
"People are always asking why. Why do wear a Turban? Why are your hair long? Why do you play a three-stringed guitar and watch TV at 3 A.M.? And where did you acquire that cat from? Why do you refuse to return home, terrorist? My answer…is uncomfortable. Many truths about the world can be uncomfortable.
It is a very effective opening. Its vague first line creates an immediate sense of mystery, and raises many questions. This immediately draws the reader. The benign questions serve as a prelude to the sarcastic "you terrorist," increasing the shock and upset.
Here is a good example. I have already mentioned that you should avoid it. The applicant presents their argument using writing techniques that are clever and their personal experiences.
What are some commonly asked questions?
Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding how to write a great college essay introduction.
1. Why is it important to start my college essays?
You can grab the attention of your reader right from the start.
2. What if my story is not personal?
You can write an essay even if you do not have an experience that is emotionally stirring. Try to think of the main points that you would like your essay to focus on and what your reasons are for making your decision.
Why do these beliefs hold you? Why are you so good at this skill? After you have gathered all the evidence, create an argument to make your point.
3. What should you write first in your college essay?
Your topic will determine what you put first in your essay. You must grab the readers attention immediately, regardless of the topic. The "who", the "what", and the "when" must be made clear in your first five sentences.
4. How do I start a college essay about myself?
Personal statements (or essays about your life) should begin with the introduction of key elements that make you who you are and are relevant to an essay. College essays are a great way for colleges to learn more about you.
Focus on your interest in the degree/college youre applying for and dont include unnecessary background information.
Last Thoughts
Its easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of information here. Although this article has not eased any tension, it is a good guide on how to start an essay for college.
Your college essay will be more successful if you are able to authentically describe yourself. Colleges care more about who you are than your writing skills.
These tips are helpful for those who want to make themselves stand out. Best of luck!
