How to Write Great Essays

PERSONAL INVENTORY
The personal inventory in this section is designed to help you mine your life for raw mate-
rial that you can use in your essay. Although you won’t use all, or even most, of the infor-
mation you gather, be willing to explore many possibilities before narrowing down your
essay topic.
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Untimed Essay Writing Strategies  CHAPTER 6 
HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

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KEEP IN MIND . . .
Although you should include as much information as possible in a college admissions
essay, keep in mind a number of important qualities that readers are looking for. The
qualities you will be rated in include:
creative, original thoughts
academic achievement
motivation
written expression of ideas
self confidence
disciplined work habits
independence, initiative
potential for growth
intellectual ability
What activities and experiences can you write about that highlight one or more of these?
How can you show (rather than tell) in your essay that you have these qualities? Keep
them in mind when filling out your inventory.
To complete the personal inventory, you will need six sheets of paper, one for each of the
following sections. List anything and everything that comes to mind for each section, leav-
ing a few lines between each entry (so you can fill them out with details later).
1. History
Think back to your earliest memory, and go from there. Move chronologically, cat-
aloguing events in your life, until you reach the most recent one(s). Don’t limit your-
self to dramatic or life-altering experiences. Spend the most time on the past few
years, unless you already know you will write about an event from your childhood.
2. Achievements and Accomplishments
List all awards or other commendations you have received (academic, extra-cur-
ricular, etc.). Include goals you have reached or accomplished, that may not have
been recognized by others. What has been important to you and your personal
growth? What achievements are you most proud of?
3. Activities
Outside the classroom, what have you spent your time doing? These may be one-
time or on-going activities. Keep in mind, but don’t limit yourself to: sports, civic
groups, travel, volunteer work, art projects, technology, or religious groups. Why
did you start the activity, and, if applicable, why do you continue with it? Remem-
ber, many of these are listed in other places on your application. Think about things
you have done that are not mentioned elsewhere, or not given significant attention,
on the rest of the application. Here is where you can expand.
4. Influences
Make a list of the people, events, works of art, literature, and music that have affected
you.

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