Can you start a college essay with one word?

The answer to your general question is: no, not cliché, and yes, you could do it in a college essay IF you write well enough to carry it off. But it's a risk.
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How do you start off a college essay?

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene. Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process.
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What is a good opener for a college essay?

Brainstorm an anecdote that can introduce the main point of your essay (like a game of Bananagrams introduced Merchant's love of words). If your essay is about an experience, you can open it by narrating a significant moment that was part of that experience.
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Can you start an essay with the word the?

Starting an essay or a paragraph with "A," "An," and "The" is not considered bad in itself. These are all common words used in English, and they can be used to begin sentences in a way that is grammatically correct and enhances the meaning of the sentence.
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Is it okay to start a college essay with I?

Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too!
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The Best Way to Start & End a College Essay in 2024! | Tips for Common App and Supplementals

Can you say I'm in a college essay?

You may have heard that contractions are a no-no in formal writing, but we beg to differ. The whole point of the personal statement is for you to speak to admissions in your own voice. We say, use contractions where they feel natural. If you'd rather say “I'm” than “I am,” go for it.
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Can my college essay be sad?

Avoid writing a sob story: Your essay should not be an attempt to gain sympathy from the admissions officers. Instead, it should convey important aspects of your personal growth, values, or resilience in the face of adversity.
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What not to start an essay with?

Here are some examples:
  • Avoid starting with a dictionary definition or a cliché. This can be seen as unoriginal and may not engage the reader's attention.
  • Avoid using a quote that is too long or too familiar. ...
  • Avoid writing a thesis statement that is too broad or too vague.
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Which is not a good way to begin an essay?

Don't begin with vast generalizations like "Within every human being there are unique thoughts and feelings that no other person has ever experienced before." Or, "Color symbolism is found in all great pieces of literature." These "from the dawn of time" statements point to a lack of focus or (public enemy number one) ...
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Is it good to start an essay with I?

Beginning an essay with "I think" implies that the writer's opinion is based solely on personal belief, rather than research or evidence. Instead of starting an essay with "I think," it is better to present a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or idea that will be presented in the essay.
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How can I be unique in college essay?

Stand out with a Unique Narrative or Story

A unique narrative or story in your college essay can captivate the reader's attention and make your application memorable. Instead of approaching a common topic from a conventional perspective, try to find a unique angle or lens through which to tell your story.
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How do you hook a college essay?

Examples of hooks/grabbers include:
  1. An intriguing question that will make readers curious.
  2. A historical or current-events example of the concepts being discussed.
  3. A personal example of how the writer connects to the topic.
  4. A summary or example of an important problem that will be explored in the essay.
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How can I write a college essay fast?

How to Write a College Essay Fast
  1. 1) Set the timer for 10 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind. Do not censor yourself or edit a single thing. ...
  2. 2) Make a context list. ...
  3. 3) Build an outline. ...
  4. 4) Write, write, write. ...
  5. 7) Get a fresh pair of eyes.
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What are 2 ways you can begin a college essay?

A great way to start a college essay is by capturing the readers attention with an engaging and thoughtful introduction. You can begin with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a bold statement that relates to the topic of your essay.
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How should I start my essay?

Intriguing ways to start an essay
  1. Share a shocking or amusing fact.
  2. Ask a question.
  3. Dramatize a scene.
  4. Kick it off with a quote.
  5. State your thesis directly.
  6. Pick the right tone for your essay.
  7. When you're stuck, work backwards.
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How many pages is 650 words?

650 words is 1.3 pages single-spaced or 2.6 pages double-spaced. Documents that typically contain 650 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles.
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How do you start a hook?

A hook is an opening statement (which is usually the first sentence) in an essay that attempts to grab the reader's attention so that they want to read on. It can be done by using a few different types of hooks, which are a question, quote, statistic, or anecdote.
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Which essay is the easiest to write?

Expository essays are often considered easier to write because they have a clear purpose: to explain or inform. You're not trying to persuade or argue; you're just explaining something. You don't need personal opinions; just present facts objectively.
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Is it OK to use don t in an essay?

Write out all words in full. This means the writer must not use contractions, e.g., 'don't', 'isn't', and 'won't'. Write: 'do not', 'is not' and 'will not'. This does not apply to direct quotations, of course.
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What is forbidden in an essay?

Cliches, emotive words, contractions and slang are all prohibited. These words can damage your grade. These words can ruin your grade. This will also help you make your essay more effective.
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What is considered a bad essay?

If an essay is poorly structured, then it will be very difficult to comprehend and to evaluate the quality of its content. Therefore, a poorly structured essay is almost always also a substantively bad essay.
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Is it OK to trauma dump in college essays?

Don't just trauma dump.

Simply writing about your trauma will not showcase any of your positive traits, which is what colleges are really looking for. Instead, be sure to discuss how the trauma affected you as a person, and what you did to move past it. This will illustrate your introspection, and resilience.
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Is it OK to curse in a college essay?

Avoid swearing in a college essay, since admissions officers' opinions of profanity will vary. In some cases, it might be okay to use a vulgar word, such as in dialogue or quotes that make an important point in your essay. However, it's safest to try to make the same point without swearing.
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Is it OK to talk about death in college essay?

You should write about your loss if it's the topic that will allow you to tell your most authentic story. So before you begin writing, consider a few critical questions to determine whether (and how) you should write your college essay about losing a loved one.
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Do college essays need perfect grammar?

Colleges Do Notice Grammar Mistakes. We know from working with colleges every year that when it comes to your college application, grammatical accuracy is key.
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