Essay Outline Part 2: Theme
How to tell what your personal statement is about.
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Essay Outline
This outline works for college-admissions personal essays (like Common App and UC PIQs).
Will EA/ED Help Me?
Learn more about if and why EA/ED will help you!
EA/ED Guide
Confused about the different application options? Check out this guide!
Meaningful Engagement
Should you write about your major or EC in your essay? Here's how to find out!
Activities & Honors Guide
Stuck on the Activities & Honors section? Check out this simple guide!
Essay Transitions
These advanced options maintain unity in an essay. Read the Case Study post first!
The Case Study
Having trouble making the word count? Worried your essay is too unfocused? Use a case study!
Delete Your Intro!
Make your essay more interesting and meet the word limit!
The 3 Codes of Meaning & Endings
Struggling with your ending? Check out this guide!
The Introducer Test
How to say positive things about yourself without seeming arrogant!
Mulan 3-Part Growth
Write the most effective growth essay. Disney fans HATE this one simple trick!
Give and Take: The 2 Key Traits
Give and take are the two key traits that you need to show in any college application essay.
Register: The Secret to Good Writing!
Register is more important than tone or diction, and it's not talked about enough in English classes!
UC PIQs Guide
How to choose, brainstorm, and write the UC PIQs
Don't Use Extended Metaphors!
This is one of the most common mistakes I see from students.
3 Characteristics of the Quest
The 3 characteristics of the quest can help you narrow down your topic and make sure it's engaging!
The "Why This College" Essay
Four categories of research to help your essay stand out for each school
The “I Realized” Trap
Is your personal essay missing the most important part?
The Two Yous: More Important Than Topic!
The secret to a good essay has nothing to do with the topic!
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