How to Write a Personal Essay Learning to communicate and tell a story is a fundamental skill and helps you be a more interesting person! We are going to learn a little more about how to do this through writing a personal essay. The power of a well-written personal essay should never be underestimated. It is an opportunity to share your story, inspiring readers with your experiences, lessons learned from past mistakes, or simply describing the joy you felt from doing a fun activity can literally change people's lives, but it will at least entertain them. The fun of a personal essay lies in the fact that it is a little less formal than other writing that we need to do in our lives, such as research papers and emails to teachers and colleagues. Format Requirements Font: Times New Roman in size 12. Margins: 1” on all sides. Spacing: Double-spaced, no extra spaces between paragraphs. Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by using the tab key. Title: Include a title that reflects the theme or subject of your essay. Center the title on the page. Should not be in bold. Header: In the top left corner of your paper should be you name, class, and the date Example: Mandy Monson 10th grade English August 16, 20233 Length: 250 to 500 words. Tone: The tone of a personal essay should be conversational, reflective, and sincere. Personal pronouns: Use first-person pronouns such as 'I,' 'me,' and 'my.' Remember, the spotlight is directed at you as you're the true main character of the story. How to choose a Personal Essay Topic This is where you need to dig deep and find a unique or interesting experience or an unusual moment in your life. Perhaps this is a life lesson you have learned (how to work hard, why honesty is important, etc.) or perhaps you want to relay a unique experience that created a sense of conflict in your life. You might share how and why you were confused, annoyed, or hurt by the experience. Imagine your piece of paper as a place where you can freely express your emotions, discuss significant moments, & reflect their impact on your life. Examples: 20 Good Personal Essay Topics 'How grandpa taught me kindness to all creatures”' 'People only learn from their own mistakes.' 'What I learned about conquering my fears.' 'The moment when I should have made a better choice.' 'The moment I overcame my public speaking fear' 'How I conquered adversity with strength' 'My journey to finding a place to belong' 'The best solo hike of my life’ 'How practicing gratitude helped me smile more’ ‘I was changed by service’ ‘Learning how to get back on the horse’ ‘The day I stopped being scared of being myself’ ‘Three people who have changed my life’ ‘Surviving a car crash taught me gratitude’ Tips Write from Your Unique Point of View You are free to write from your point of view or in your own unique style. In contrast to other types of essays, writing from your perspective or in your personal manner is welcomed. For instance, if you are writing about a trip adventure, you might express your individual writing style by describing the sights and sounds that captured your attention. As a result, your writing will be more interesting and genuine and will better convey your experiences and feelings. Take the Characters into Account Be sure to describe your characters from all angles. Even though it is your real-life experience, you should still consider storytelling elements like the plot and characters. Using these ingredients in your writing will keep your reader engaged and help your essay flow smoothly. Shed Light on a Deep Truth Discuss your background experience with honesty and curiosity. Don't be afraid to uncover a hidden truth or a truth you didn't know was there at the time. Expose a thing that is uncomfortable or difficult for you to discuss. No matter who will read your essay. Whether it will be a teacher or somebody else, they will definitely appreciate your honesty and strive to share your experience. Before submitting your personal essay, double-check everything. This is called proof-reading. You should correct any error that you find. Then, have a parent or older sibling read your essay and ask them to check for errors in capitalization, spelling, and punctuation. Also ask them to give you feedback on the ideas and storytelling in your essay. Be open to feedback as this improves your writing.
