Do you want to learn how to write a personal essay? People write personal essays for various reasons. Typically, students write essays as assignments or to get a scholarship or for an essay competition. Even though personal essays can be similar to other types of essays structurally, they are different.
It can be an inspiration for the readers to learn from the real-life experience of the author. Before you know how to write a personal essay, you need to understand what it is and how it’s different from other types of essays.
Understanding Personal Essay
Personal essays are lessons from the life experience of the writer. Usually, personal essays are in a conversational tone, and they can be written in different styles. Some writers prefer to write in a creative nonfiction style, while others prefer to write in a formal style. So, it depends on you which style you know and comfortable to write.
Usually, these essays are meant to uplift or inspire the reader, or they can also be a warning to avoid the writer’s mistakes. Personal essays cover various life experiences such as how an event changed the life of the writer, moral lesson, struggle in life, war experience, or anything that tends to inspire the reader.
In a nutshell, you want to write an essay about your life experience that changed your course of life. It’s a writing piece that helped you grow, and you want to share it with others. So, let’s understand the structure before you know how to write a personal essay.
Structure Of A Personal Essay
No matter which type of essay you write, every essay contains three parts; introduction, body, and conclusion. Usually, a personal essay includes five paragraphs, but it can vary depending on your experience. However, the basic structure should remain the same.
Introduction
Start your personal essay with a catchy sentence followed by a personal statement. A personal statement is the main topic that you will describe in detail. Remember, you shouldn’t start your personal essay with a popular quote, but yes, you can make a unique connection with the reader.
Body
You can give a detailed explanation of your personal statement in the body with personal evidence. It’s simply to support your claim and for a better understanding of your reader. Share your point of view on the event and what knowledge you have gained from it.
Conclusion
Restate your personal statement in conclusion. Share what you have learned from your life experience and tell about a deeper truth of your personal story. Review your essay and point out some of the lessons that you have learned.
Now that you have understood the structure continue reading to learn how to write a personal essay.
How To Write A Personal Essay In Easy Steps?
Although the writing style may vary from writer to writer, follow the basic guidelines to draft your personal essay. Even if you have never written a personal essay, these steps will help you to write a compelling piece.
1. Create An Essay Outline
Even if it’s your personal story, you may not be properly able to convey your story without an outline. It acts as a roadmap for writing the essay. So, ensure that you prepare an outline before you start your essay.
Writing an outline will also help you recall the specific moments that you can show as real examples. No matter which topic you choose, it should have a deep emotional impact that taught you an important life lesson.
2. Begin With A Strong Intro
As I have mentioned about the introduction in the structure of a personal essay, start your intro with a strong sentence that will act as a hook. Mention your personal statement and try to make an emotional connection with the reader.
3. Make Your Body Paragraph Interesting
Make your body paragraph interesting with real events of your life. Use sensory details to make the personal essay engaging. Write your body paragraph in such a way that it will have an impact on your reader. Ensure that your reader doesn’t feel bored; try to make emotional connections with the reader while explaining a particular example.
4. Provide Specific Character And Emotions
Don’t just share an overview of the story. Give specific details to make the story more meaningful to the reader. Specify the particular characters in the story that have a significant role. Also, mention the emotions that you have experienced while describing the moment.
5. Conclude Your Personal Essay
Adding a conclusion to your personal essay can impact the reader. Mention the specific lessons that you want to pass on to your reader. You can reveal a deeper truth of the story to make it more impactful. However, if you are not comfortable sharing some parts of the story, in conclusion, keep it open-ended and uplifting for the reader.
6. Review Your Writing
Once you complete your writing, review it once. Do you think the story is truly conveying the message you want to share with the readers? Is it interesting and includes a strong message for the reader. If you think you want to add some details or modify something, don’t hesitate to edit. Reviewing and editing solidify your writing and make it more appealing.
7. Proofread For Grammatical Errors
Finally, don’t forget to proofread your work and ensure that you fix any spelling or grammatical mistakes. No matter how good you write, it helps you to polish your writing through reviewing and editing.
Are You Ready To Write Your Personal Essay?
Now that you have understood the basic structure and how to write a personal story in simple steps, are you ready to write your story? If you think your writing skills are not that good, it shouldn’t stop you from writing your personal essay. You can write compelling personal essays with practice. Hone your skills with practice and consider learning from a professional course.
Read Also –
- Things To Consider For Writing A Great Essay
- 10 Essay Writing Tips From Experts
- How to Title an Essay: A Step by Step Guide
