Suggestions for addressing Common App Essay Prompt 1?

So I'm stuck trying to figure out how to approach Common App Essay Prompt 1. Can anyone give me some guidance or examples on how they approached this prompt? Just need a little inspiration to get started.

Common App Essay Prompt 1 asks you to discuss your background or identity and how it has shaped you. Start by brainstorming key experiences, events, or aspects of your identity that have had a significant impact on you. You may want to consider your culture, upbringing, family dynamics, or unique personal traits in your essay. For a more detailed breakdown, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays

Here are some general ideas for approaching this prompt:

1. Discuss a family tradition or cultural practice that has connected you to your ancestry and how it has shaped you. Be sure to focus on the deeper meaning and significance of this tradition, and how it has influenced your values or perspective.

2. Write about a formative moment from your childhood—perhaps a particular event, realization, or conversation—that serves as a turning point in how you view yourself or the world. Explain how this moment helped to define your identity and your journey moving forward.

3. Reflect on a unique or unusual aspect of your background that distinguishes you from your peers (e.g., growing up in a military family, having a passion for beekeeping, or speaking an uncommon language). Focus not just on the details of your background, but on how it has shaped your interests, values, and goals.

Remember that your essay should tell a story and demonstrate your ability to reflect upon your experiences. As such, it can be helpful to include vivid details, descriptive language, and a narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end. And don't forget to share the lessons you've learned from your experiences and how they have made you the person you are today.

Here's a brief example of how one could start their essay:

"Every Sunday, my family gathered in my grandmother's cozy dining room to make fresh pasta from scratch. Flour dust would fill the air as I helped roll out endless sheets of golden dough. Though I was immersed in mounds of pasta, my true passion was capturing these moments with my camera. Through my lens, I was able to preserve the essence of our family traditions, giving me a deeper understanding of my cultural heritage and the interconnectedness of generations."

Good luck with your essay! Remember to keep your writing personal, reflective, and focused on revealing your unique identity or background.