Are you losing your sleep over your graduate school admission essay? Well, I am sure the most worrisome part of the whole thing must be the big question, 'how do I begin?' Although, you may have written hundreds of essays for your high school projects, writing an essay for graduate school admission is indeed unnerving. When you are writing a narrative essay for getting admission in college or for employment purposes, a need for circumspection is desirable. The Introduction or opening paragraph plays a crucial role in determining your chances of admission or employment. The details following an introduction forms the layout which marks the headway of the context making it objectively profound. This section is the opening tide of the writ work to be under the scrutiny of the readers vested with critical observation. The introduction with starting details following it must have the alluring element of titillating the readers imagination.
There are no rigid introduction etiquette, however, a clear definition of the sub parts entailing it would be essential. A clear demarcation of the deviations taken by the writer on the content should be clearly specified and fitting to the point.
Choose Your Format
There are certain conventions for writing introductions. You may choose any of the following subjective formats as per your personal taste, making sure that it blends with the rest of the content. These include
- Academic
- Creative
- Action
- Dialog
- Overarching Societal Statements
- Personal
- Question
- Quotation
Don't Say Too Much
At some level, writing essays are similar to composing resumes, which could be a bit tacky.
Stuffing too much of information in your first paragraph itself is clearly detrimental. This is particularly true when you are going for an academic or personal introduction, where you might be tempted to write too much about yourself. If you load your introductory paragraph with lot of information, you are likely to lose the interest of your reader. Such lengthy introductions may put the reader off, so much so, that he may not even bother to read the rest of your resume.
Do Not Summarize
You need to divide the sentences in your introductory paragraph wisely. The first 2 - 3 sentences should be used to arouse the interest of the user, so that he is intrigued enough to read your essay. The last sentence of the introduction paragraph should exactly and precisely state what the essay is all about. However, do not summarize the points of your essay in a long, complex sentence.
Bring Innovation
Your admissions officer probably reads hundreds of essays in a day. Obviously, his attention is bound to drift after a few hours. So, how can you keep him interested enough, so that he gives your essay a fair chance? A creative or action introduction may do the trick. Narrating certain influential incidences in your life in a creative way may distinguish your essay from the hundreds of others.
Avoid Clichés
When you are using quotations or questions for introductions for narrative essays, avoid clichés under all circumstances. Beginning your essay with sentences like 'To be or not to be' or 'Are you looking for a dynamic and devoted candidate? Well, I am your guy', are a big NO! Your essay will most probably land atop a dustbin, without being given a second chance. However, that does not mean that you cannot start your essay with quotations or questions. Just make sure to render your personalized touch even to the most famous and popular quotes.
Introductions to essays can be written at the end, when you gather a proper insight of your essay. A well drafted conclusion is equally important to give the ultimate finishing touch to your essay. Thus, an essay introduction and conclusion should be written after you have properly gathered your thoughts, and already have a rough draft of your essay at hand.
