Hey guys, I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm starting to work on my college essays. I'm really struggling to come up with engaging starters that would make for an interesting read. Do you have any examples or tips on college essay starters that have worked well? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hello! Coming up with a unique and engaging starter for your college essay can be challenging, but it's definitely an important part of making a strong first impression. Here are a few tips and examples to help you brainstorm captivating essay starters. After that, we'll get into some resources.
1. Start with a bold statement or a provocative question. This can immediately grab the reader's attention and give them a reason to continue. For example, you could begin with something like, "What if I told you the most important lesson I've learned in life came from a six-year-old?" This makes the reader curious about the story behind this statement.
2. Begin with a vivid description or scene-setting. Paint a picture for the reader that immerses them in a moment or memory. For example, you might start with something like, "The aroma of freshly baked bread and the warmth of the small, dimly lit kitchen instantly transported me back to my grandmother's arms and the stories she told." This helps the reader visualize the scene and connects them to your story emotionally.
3. Use an anecdote or personal story. Share a brief but meaningful moment from your life that reveals something significant about you. For example: "As I stood on the stage, sweating under the bright lights and trembling with nerves, I realized that this impromptu speech would be the first test of my newfound passion for public speaking."
4. Begin with a quote that resonates with your story (but avoid clichés or overused quotes). Choose a quote that relates to the theme of your essay and adds depth to your narrative. For example: "Albert Einstein once said, 'The only source of knowledge is experience.' Little did I know that my trip to Thailand would become the greatest source of knowledge in my life."
5. Start in media res, or in the middle of the action. Jump right into a significant moment in your story to create tension and draw the reader in. For example: "With the paintbrush in hand, my heart pounding and my breath hitched, I came face-to-face with the intimidating blank canvas."
Remember that it's essential to connect your engaging essay starter to the overall theme and purpose of your essay. Also, make sure to revise and refine your starter as you develop your essay, as new ideas or angles may emerge through the writing process.
Now, if you want to dive more deeply into developing ideas, I suggest exploring CollegeVine's selection of blog articles. We have breakdowns of supplemental essays for specific schools, breakdowns of common essay archetypes, and examples of successful essays from applicants of previous years. You could start with this post about how to write the Common App essay: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/. Or, you could check out 21 really strong examples of Common App essays to draw inspiration from: https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-essay-examples/. If you already know what schools you're applying to, I'll once again recommend our essay breakdown series - just type "How to Write the" and then the name of your chosen college, and we're almost certain to have an article about it.
I hope these tips, examples, and resources help spark some ideas for your college essay starters. Good luck with your writing!
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