I found an article in today's Boston Globe that offers college essay advice from Parke Muth, an admission dean at the University of Virginia. Even though it's geared toward college applicants, students applying to boarding schools will find his breakdown helpful. I won't go into too much detail (you're better served by reading the piece), but his point below really stood out:
An essay is not good because of the topic but because of the voice. ... Students need only to recall the difference between two simple concepts -- showing and telling. A good essay always shows; a weak essay always tells. By showing, a writer appeals to all of the senses, not just the visual.
Good advice if you ask me.
Subscribe to
Leave a comment