How To Write A First Person Essay That Gets You Into College

Declan Gessel

May 10, 2024

person smiling and writing First Person Essay

If you're looking to understand the power of the First Person Essay, this guide will give you all the answers you need. No fluff or beating around the bush here - just pure value. Learn how to write an essay that will take your readers on a journey of discovery. Let's dive in and start writing!

What Is A First Person Essay?

person with friend writing a First Person Essay

First person essay writing is a genre of writing where the author tells a story from their own perspective. This type of essay allows the author to share their personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. It allows the writer to be reflective and share their personality and voice with the audience.

Difference between first-person and third-person writing styles

When writing in the first person, the author uses pronouns like "I" and "me" to tell the story. It gives the audience a personal touch and allows them to connect with the author on a deeper level. Third-person writing, on the other hand, uses pronouns like "he," "she," or "it." It provides a more objective perspective because the author is telling the story as an outsider.

Reflecting on what you learned or how the experience impacted you

First person essays are not just about narrating what happened. They also allow the author to reflect on how the experience impacted them, what they learned from it, and how it shaped them as an individual. It's not just about what happened but how it made the author who they are today.

Sharing personal experiences and showcasing your voice and personality

First person essays give authors the opportunity to share personal experiences with the audience. By doing so, the author can showcase their voice and personality, making the story more engaging and relatable for the readers. This writing style enables a deeper connection between the author and the audience, as it allows readers to see the world through the author's eyes.

Impact of stories

Studies have shown that stories have a profound impact on human emotions and behaviors. They can enhance our empathy and ability to connect with others. When readers engage with first person essays, they build a connection with the author through their personal experiences and reflections. This connection can create a lasting impact on the audience, making the essay an effective medium for sharing stories and experiences.

How To Choose The Right First Person Essay Experience

1. Crafting a Captivating Introduction

A strong introduction is crucial for a compelling college essay. It grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for your narrative. A few ways to write an engaging introduction are:

Using an anecdote to draw the reader in, such as sharing a moment of fear that also reveals your courage.
Painting a vivid image, like the dusty shelves of an antique bookstore that inspired you to become a writer.
Asking a thought-provoking question, like whether the reader has overcome a challenge staring failure in the face.

2. Constructing a Cohesive Narrative

A clear and organized structure is key to a successful essay. Opt for a narrative arc, which involves a beginning, middle, and an end, to maintain flow. Here are additional tips:

Employ clear transitions between paragraphs to guide readers seamlessly through your story.
Organize your essay either chronologically or thematically to maintain clarity.
Emphasize key moments and details to move the story forward effectively.

3. Showing, Not Telling: Bringing Your Story to Life

Engage your reader by using "show, don't tell" to make them feel part of your story. Consider implementing sensory details like:

In-depth descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and emotions to make your narrative more vibrant.
Show your actions, thoughts, and feelings throughout the experience to immerse readers in your journey.
Enrich scenes with specific details and figurative language to avoid clichés and make your writing more dynamic.

4. Building a Thoughtful Narrative

A standout college essay transcends mere storytelling. Reflect on your experience and why it is significant to you. Some insights include:

Analyzing the lessons learned or the impact the experience had on you.
Connecting the experience to your passions, goals, and future aspirations.
Demonstrating how the experience makes you a perfect candidate for the college or program you are applying to.

5. Polishing Your Essay

Lastly, revise and edit your essay meticulously to ensure clarity and impact. Here are quick tips to help you spruce up your essay:

Proofread diligently for typos, grammar errors, and punctuation mistakes.
Read your essay aloud to detect awkward phrasing and enhance its flow.
Seek feedback from trustworthy sources to improve your writing.
Revise your essay by tightening sentences, replacing weak words, and ensuring it is clear and compelling.
Maintain consciousness and adhere to the word limit to keep your essay focused and engaging.

3 Tips To Help You Structure Your College Essay

student working from his home on First Person Essay

1. The Challenge Essay

The Challenge Essay is a personal essay type that delves into a significant obstacle, difficulty, or setback that you have encountered. In this type of essay, you have a chance to narrate how you demonstrated resilience, problem-solving skills, and your ability to overcome adversity.

Key elements of this type of essay include a clear description of the challenge faced, the actions taken to overcome it, the lessons learned or personal growth experienced, and how the experience demonstrates your strengths and character. For example, a prompt for this type of essay could be "Describe a time you faced a major setback. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience?"

2. The Achievement Essay

The Achievement Essay is centered around a specific accomplishment that you are proud of, no matter how big or small. Through this essay type, you can emphasize your skills, talents, work ethic, and ability to achieve goals.

Key elements of this essay include a detailed description of the accomplishment, the skills and qualities utilized to achieve it, challenges faced along the way (optional), and the significance of this accomplishment to your future goals. For instance, a prompt could be "Describe a project, activity, or achievement that demonstrates your leadership skills and initiative."

3. The Community Essay

The Community Essay highlights your involvement in a community, whether in school, volunteering, or extracurricular activities, and the impact it has had on you. This type of essay allows you to showcase your passion, social awareness, ability to collaborate, and commitment to a cause.

Key elements of this essay include a description of the community involved in, the specific role played and contributions made, the impact of this experience on you and the community, and how this involvement connects to your future goals. For example, a prompt could be "Describe a time you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn about yourself and teamwork through this experience?"

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AI Video Summarizing

If you're working with video content as part of your research, Jotbot's AI video summarizing feature can help you extract the key points quickly and easily. Instead of having to watch entire videos to find the information you need, Jotbot can summarize the content for you, saving you time and effort. With Jotbot's video summarizing capabilities, you can access the information you need more efficiently and focus on writing your essay.

AI Citation/Source Finder

Citing sources is an essential part of writing an essay, but it can also be time-consuming and challenging. Jotbot's AI citation and source finder feature can help you identify and include the sources you need quickly and accurately. By leveraging Jotbot's capabilities, you can ensure that your essay is well-researched and properly sourced, without spending hours searching for the information you need.

AI Outlines for Essays

Creating an outline is a critical step in the essay-writing process, but it can also be daunting. Jotbot's AI outline feature can help you organize your thoughts, structure your essay, and ensure that you're covering all the necessary points. By using Jotbot to create an outline, you can approach the writing process more systematically and with greater confidence, ensuring that your essay is well-organized and coherent.

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Ultimately, Jotbot is a powerful tool that can help you write better essays in less time. By leveraging Jotbot's AI capabilities, you can streamline your writing process, produce high-quality work, and achieve better results. Whether you're a student, a writer, a researcher, or a member of a team, Jotbot can help you write smarter, not harder. So why not give it a try and start writing with Jotbot today?