As a prospective college student, you need to understand the importance of writing a great scholarship essay to grab your audience’s attention. Learning how to write well will move you forward in college, from acing your English exam to earning a scholarship to pay for your books. The scholarship process may seem tedious and unbearable sometimes. However, you possess a remarkable talent that needs to be told to others. How you describe that special quality of yours is the key to winning scholarships. The essay is arguably one of the most important parts of the scholarship process. Your essay will set you apart from other applicants. Therefore, you must do your very best to make clear, concise points to surpass the competition. Here are five tips to writing an excellent scholarship essay: To write a great scholarship essay …tell a story Great essays tell great stories. Therefore, you must develop your essay based on one theme that relates to the scholarship essay question. Use descriptive language. Read fictional books for examples. You want the scholarship committee to relive your experience. Be specific When it comes to scholarship essays, specificity is key. Make sure that you answer the questions that are being asked, and that your essay addresses the unique qualities that make you a strong candidate for the scholarship. Avoid clichés and general statements, and focus on the details of your experiences and accomplishments. Remember, the judges are looking for reasons to award you the scholarship, so give them what they want. With a little thought and effort, your essay can make all the difference in winning a scholarship. To write a great scholarship essay…write a great intro An introduction creates context, tells the purpose of the essay, and makes an argument. Creating context means to give the reader any information they need to understand the body (the bulk) of your essay. Be creative here. Capture your reader’s attention and set them up for what’s to come. After you’ve created context, write one to two sentences that bridge the context you created with the purpose of the essay. (Hint: This should allude to the writing prompt.) For example, you might write, “This story is relevant because it launched three pivotal moments in my life that ultimately changed my path.” Or “When you read these facts, you might be surprised. I was too, but then I realized that they directly affected me. That’s what this essay is about.” This helps the reader understand why your essay is important and relevant. At the end of your introduction, make an argument! This one’s easy. The argument is that they should give you the scholarship because of everything you’re about to share. “Because of my new course in life, I’m energized and excited for college. I know I will put this scholarship to good use.” Or “By making changes in my life, I set myself up to pursue my most important goal: becoming a sociologist. This scholarship will help me be who I want to be for my community.” Your argument should be directly related to the information you’re about to share and why it makes you competitive for the scholarship. To write a great scholarship essay …clearly relate the body For the body of your paper, brainstorm three to four main points you’d like to make. These points should collectively respond to the writing prompt in the application. For example, if the prompt asks you to: Cover the ways in which you’ve dealt with adversity, come up with three meaningful instances and jot them down as your main points.Describe your goals for the future, write down three future goals or three important steps toward reaching one big goal. Make them your main points.Give the reader a sense of your life’s individual journey so far, consider three to four important moments that shaped your life and use those as your main points. Then, in the body of your essay, devote one paragraph each to illustrating your main points. Here are three hints for doing so well: Be honest! Yes, you want to be professional. Yes, you want to use your words carefully. But you don’t have to hide your personality. Share what makes you unique! Share what makes you,Avoid clichés! Clichés are impersonal, generic, and boring. They don’t really tell your reader much of anything. Be personal and creative! Use original combinations of words and be fully descriptive. Clichés often act as shortcuts.Don’t use pointless words. You’re an interesting person with a lot to share, whether you believe it or not. Don’t sell yourself short by using filler words or repetitive information. Take the time to brainstorm interesting, new, vibrant information that you can share in your essay. Don’t forget the conclusion The conclusion is the inverse of the introduction. Briefly state why you should receive the scholarship. Don’t simply cut and paste what you wrote in the introduction. Revise it a bit given what you’ve shared in the body of your essay. Then (briefly) restate the main points as evidence that you should receive the scholarship. Finally, pan out to the big picture: Should you receive the scholarship, and given the information that you gave the reader in the body, what will happen? How will you use the money and how will their gift help you to benefit your family, support your community, or improve the world? My essay is too long! If you’re having a hard time keeping your essay as short as it’s required to be, cut information from the intro and conclusion. Keep your main points salient and well-illustrated. The body is ultimately the most important part of your essay.