How to Write an Award Winning Essay
Whether for a scholarship, a writing contest, publication or simply a good grade, writing an award-winning essay takes organized and intentional effort. Use of a winning essay formula will reap winning results. Such a formula includes development of a clear focus, sticking to the focus, inclusion of personal experiences, and a conclusion that ties it all together.
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Instructions
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Read the essay's instructions or requirements carefully. Make sure you understand clearly what the essay's purpose is, who it is written for, and what the overall instructions are. Highlight all of these areas; you'll need to remember as you write to remain focused, and reviewing them when writing will help
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Write an introduction that pulls the reader immediately into the essay's theme. Reiterate without repeating verbatim what the essay's theme is, as set forth in the instructions or in the essay prompt. For example, "Living in a cashless society has its benefits, but it also has its challenges." Or, "While living in a cashless society might be safer, it has its share of challenges too."
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Include a thesis statement that sets forth your essay's purpose. Focus it on one or two central points. Don't begin with, "I am writing this to..." or, "In this essay I will discuss." Try to avoid first-person references, and keep it objective. Here is an example: "Challenges of a cashless society include technology failure, identity theft, and perhaps even an unnecessary paper trail." Be sure to discuss in detail everything set forth in the thesis statement.
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Identify with the topic. Draw from a personal experience, and include it as it works into the essay. For example: If you are being asked to write about a theme like, "Describe what it would be like to live in a cashless society," discuss some of your own experiences in using credit cards only, or project what this would be like as it impacts you.
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Build on the thesis statement throughout the essay, starting a new paragraph for each new idea. Continue to plug in your experiences as they relate to focus points, and the essay's central theme. Work in any research that supports an idea, and be sure to cite it according to the essay's guidelines using either APA formatting or MLA.
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Write a conclusion that gives the essay a final "bang" while summarizing its major points without restating them word-by-word. For example, "Though a cashless society presents some challenges, it also provides a new measure of safety for people and for banks operating in the 21st century."
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Give your essay to two to three people to read over and comment on. Let them know first what you'd like them to watch for, and if there is anything you're struggling with or just unsure about. Make copies so that each person can write comments on their copy.
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Gather up your feedback, review it and read it aloud at least once before making final revisions. Reading aloud helps us to identify errors we might not have noticed when we read silently.
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References
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