Personal Essay

The personal essay is either a personal narrative in which the author writes regarding a personal incident or experience which provided important personal sense or a lesson learned, or it is a personal view about some matter or issue which is significant to the writer.A personal application essay is assumed, though unpleasant it might seem, to sell you to the members of admissions committee. Just like travelling salesman promotes his or her products in order to make a possible customer fascinated in it without being repelled by too obvious praise, therefore you also are assumed to do, with yourself in the position of merchandise.

The personal essay must give direct and particular answer to the following questions:

1) Why must the committee choose you for the program you apply to?
2) What crafts you not only the best in few fields, though unique?
3) Why are you fascinated in this field of knowledge and why have you selected this specific program?
4) How do you visualize your future job?
5) Are there any uncertain moments in your educational record? If yes, how can you elucidate them?
6) What personal qualities and features you have which make you the best candidate for the program?

The Personal Essay as a Personal Narrative:

The personal narrative has the below elements as follows:

• It depends on a personal experience in which you have achieved important meaning, insight, or learned a lesson. It can also be depend on a landmark or life-altering event.

• It is personal narrative. The writer tells the story by involving dialogue, characterization, imagery, conflict, plot, and setting.

• It is written in the first person.

• It is an autobiographical story in which the writer explains an incident which resulted in few personal growth or progress.

• A personal essay is a sight of the writer’s life. The writer explains the personal experience by using the scene-building method, weaves a theme during the narrative, and makes a significant point. There should be a lesson or sense. The writer can’t just write an fascinating story.

• It does not have to be intention. Though, the writer should express his or her feelings, opinion, and emotions.

• The writer employs self-disclosure and is truthful with his or her readers.

• The writer writes regarding a real life experience. The event or experience should have happened. The writer should use fact and reality.

• The writer should dramatize the story by using the scene building method. A scene involves setting or location, close details, concrete and particular descriptions, action, and frequent dialogue.

The Personal Essay as a Personal Opinion:

The personal essay can also be an estimation piece, an opinion which is based on a specific political or social concern or topic of interest. In this kind of personal essay, the writer can expresses the problem, give solutions, and then write a conclusion—that should state a significant point. Whatever the writer talk about, the topic is of interest to the writer. The writer often seeks to elucidate the truth or reality has he or she views it. At times the writer considers a question. The other times the writer discovers a topic from his own perspective. The writer should not lecture, moralize, or urge. In another words, the writer should present his or her opinion in such a manner which permits the readers decide for themselves.

The personal essay which is based on a personal opinion has following attributes:

• A personal essay is a discussion with your readers.
• The personal essay is a knowledgeable mixture of storytelling, particulars, knowledge, and personality.
• The personal essay inspects a subject outside of you, though via the lens of self.
• The subject of the personal essay might be the self, though the self is delighted as evidence for the argument.
• Passages of narrative frequently show but usually get used as proof in the inductive argument.
• The personal essay endeavors to say what is obvious, and to come to a conclusion that the reader might agree or disagree.
• A personal essay can wonder via its subject, circle about it, get the long view and the short, forever providing experience, information, book learning, and personal history.
 
It must also be noted that a personal essay does not require being objective. It can be purely subjective. You do not have to prove a point or illustrate both sides of the argument. But you should state your own personal feelings, opinions, and thoughts on a matter or issue in a logical way.

Subjects for the Personal Essay:

Your subject can be regarding anything which you are passionate about. You can write concerning a “turning point” in your life, or a landmark, or hardship, like sickness, death, divorce. The subject you select should have given you with important personal meaning or a lesson which you have learned. Though, remember, you are not just reflecting or recollection, you are going to make a point, little universal truth which your readers can welcome. Or else, your story is just a story. Therefore, write about the following:

•    Private experience
•    Event
•    Anecdote
•    Matter
•    Problem
•    A remembrance