How to Write a Successful Scholarship Essay: Part 2

Read Part 1 of How to Write a Successful Scholarship Essay here.

2. Organize yourself. The best way to present and prove your point is by keeping yourself organized. All essays should flow naturally and have a clear premise. Here is a very basic five-paragraph formula for a good essay:

I. Introductory paragraph (Last sentence is the premise, or statement that the rest of the essay will prove.)

II. First Point (weakest point)

-Use evidence, such a stories, facts, or quotations to support your argument.

III. Second Point (2nd strongest point)

IV. Third Point (strongest point to really bring the message home)

V. Closing Paragraph

-Relate all your points back to each other and explain how they support your statement from the introductory paragraph.

Depending on the required length of the essay, you can expand or shorten the formula. The most important thing is to make sure your argument is clear throughout the entire essay. The beginning needs to match the ending, and have a flow with everything in between.

3. Know your audience. If you are applying for a scholarship with the Coca-Cola company, don’t write an entire essay about how much you love to drink Pepsi just so that you can be argumentative. Go to the website for the scholarship you are interested in and read their mission statement and goals. This will give you a guide to know what kind of emphasis to put on your essays. It will also help you get a feel for the tone they are looking for. Are they seeking for students who are very determined in their pursuit of education? Or are they an organization that particularly seeks for innovation and creativity? Do some research and learn about what they are truly looking for.

4. Start strong. There are several methods you can use to capture your audience’s interest from the start. You may try starting your essay with a question, an interesting fact, a short and shocking statement, or a short personal narrative.

Examples:

Have you ever had to wash windows outside, in the dead of winter? (question)

73 percent of students who graduated in 2009 were considered non-traditional students. (interesting fact)

A broken heart is a wonderful thing. (short and shocking statement)

I stood at the door of the plane, looking down at the rollings fields below me. The wind roared in my ears. Closing my eyes, I held my breath and jumped. (personal narrative)

How to Write a Successful Scholarship Essay: Part 3