First-person perspective Your essay is about you, so write using “I” statements as if you are speaking directly to the reader. Examples: “I was the grown up in the household, especially when it came to my unruly brothers and sisters.” “I never learned how to ride a bike as a kid, and witnessing my sister’s biking accident scared me away from ever wanting to learn.” An engaging first sentence Your first sentence should hook the reader, making them curious as to what’s to come. Throw the reader right into the action. Examples: “I was staring at a red light when he jumped on the hood of my car, screaming and wielding a toy lightsaber.” “There I was, pacing the hallway of the hospital while doctors poked and prodded my husband’s innards in search of the tumor.” Introduction and transition After you’ve hooked your readers, include a sentence that links the end of the introduction to the ideas present in your next paragraph. Examples: “It was Mrs. Collette that pushed me to take a trip that would change my life forever.” “In was in that room that I witnessed the more horrible sights that would lead me spiraling into a journey of pain, loss, and (eventually) self discovery.” Context Before diving into a story, provide the reader with a bit of context that will clarify the setting and background of the anecdote. Examples: “I hadn’t seen my Mother in 25 years, but that rainy Thursday afternoon was the day we reconnected.” “I never expected our lifelong friendship to end on that day…” Vivid settings and descriptions Paint a colorful setting to help the reader visualize the context of the story. Try to engage the 5 senses in your text (sight, touch, taste, smell, sound) when describing things. Examples: “The sterile stench of bleach with imitation lemon scent distracted me from the piercing screeches and beeps that echoed up and down the mustard-colored hallway.” “Her eyes were the color of sand and the aroma of the jasmine oil on her neck complemented the smooth, creamy tone of her voice.” Your story The body of your essay is where you’ll tell your story, step-by-step. Note how much you are showing, telling, and reflecting and strike a balance, however, showing (through scenes with action and dialogue) is typically more engaging than simply telling. Telling (explanations, descriptions) “I was ten years old and got mad a lot when I didn’t get my way.” Showing (action, dialogue, scenes) “‘I’m not going!’ I screamed and stomped my foot, rattling the entire second floor of the house. ‘You go or your birthday party is off,’ she said through pursed lips.” Reflecting (introspection, elucidation, “aha” moments) “Looking back, my tough exterior came from a place of hurt, of wanting to be seen and respected because I rarely got either of those things at home.” Conclusion End your story in a memorable, interesting way. Try to tie up any loose ends and get at the heart of your essay. (Tip: end your essay with an image or idea that you presented in the beginning, reflecting on any growth, unexpected shifts in thinking, and/or morals in the story). Examples: “It’s funny to me now that I had to travel all the way around the world just to learn that my home was right here.” “The death of my husband was not the end for me, because just like the tree we planted, I am growing and deepening my connection with the elements.”