Hey folks! Any advice on creating a proper outline for my Common App essay? I want to make sure I’m organizing my thoughts in a way that flows well and fully captures the message I’m trying to convey. Do you have any outline strategies or structures that worked for you?
Hey there! I'd be happy to share a general outline structure that I found helpful when my child was working on their Common App essay:
1. Hook: Start with an engaging opening line to capture the reader's attention.
2. Context: Follow up with some brief background/context related to your main topic or idea.
3. Turning point: Introduce a key event or experience that represents the central focus of your essay.
4. Reflection: Discuss how this turning point personally impacted you, what you learned, and how it contributed to your growth.
5. Connection: Connect your personal reflection back to the broader message or theme you want to convey.
6. Conclusion: Wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and leaving the reader with a memorable impression of your character and growth.
Best of luck with your essay! :-)
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.