What is a good opening for a college essay?

You'll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer's attention. 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.

What is the best opening 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.

How should you start your college essay?

A great way to start a college essay is by grabbing the readers attention with an engaging hook. This could be an intriguing fact, a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote. The goal is to immediately captivate the reader and make them want to continue reading.

What is a good sentence to start a college essay?

1. Start with a hook: Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing statement or anecdote that relates to the topic of your essay. This could be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description. The goal is to engage the reader and make them want to continue reading.

What is the best opening of an essay?

It is good to start with a statement that fixes your essay topic and focus in a wider context so that the reader is sure of where they are within the field. This is a very small part of the introduction though - do not fall into the trap of writing a whole paragraph that is nothing but background information.

The Best Way to Start & End a College Essay in 2024! | Tips for Common App and Supplementals

What is a strong opening paragraph?

It clearly and specifically states the topic or question that you will address in your essay. It motivates the topic or question that the essay will examine. It states, clearly and directly, your position on this topic or question (i.e., your thesis).

How do you write a strong introduction for an essay?

How not to start a college essay?

Opening with a definition, like “Persistence is defined as…,” will probably not be a strong start. Your reader doesn't need you to define words, they need you to tell a story that will help them learn all about you. If your essay is about persistence, explain how you personified that trait.

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.

What is a good essay starter sentence?

The first sentence is usually a hook. It deals with either statistics, facts, surprising details, a question to the readers, or a shocking truth. This is written to get the attention of readers and to lead to your background information and onto the thesis statement.

What are 2 ways you can begin 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.

How do you start off an essay?

How do you start a college essay sentence starter?

How do you write a good hook?

Is it OK to use the word you in a college essay?

A conversational tone is acceptable. Most college essays are in the first person, which is not traditionally regarded as “formal writing”. Only use “you” if you are referring to the reader.

What is hook sentence in essay?

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.

How do you make a college essay not cringe?

Can a bad essay ruin your college application?

After months or even years of working to achieve excellent test scores, strong grades, and relevant work/volunteering experiences, fatigue can get the best of people. However, a weak college application essay can severely hurt your chance of admission.

What makes a college essay weak?

Picking the Wrong Topic

They seek originality when reviewing college applications, so it's best to avoid any topics that could be considered cliche or overdone, like a sports injury or personal tragedy. Focus on what makes you stand out as a student, and as a person.

What is a good introduction example?

For example: "Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Founder and CEO of Tasty Sweets, Mrs. Rachel Malloy." "Emily, Luis and Trent, I would like to introduce you to my grandmother, Mrs. Joan O'Malley."

What is a powerful introduction?

A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers' interest. A strong conclusion will provide a sense of closure to the essay while again placing your concepts in a somewhat wider context.

What is a good strong introduction?

What is a catchy opening sentence?

A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don't think you can say, but you still want to say. Like, “This book will change your life.”

What is a catchy introduction?

You can start your article with a striking phrase with an interesting idea, with a quotation or a controversial fact, to surprise your readers and arouse their curiosity or interest.

How do you spice up an introduction?