Personal Essay Topic Sentence

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Jul 16, 2024, 3:26:21 AM7/16/24

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Every applicant who needs to write a personal statement struggles with structuring their personal statement. It is hard enough to muster the courage to brainstorm your most salient life experiences on paper; now, the most important part is structuring your personal statement with your thesis and topic sentences.

personal essay topic sentence

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If the thesis is the focus of the statement in its entirety, the topic sentences are the focus of the body paragraphs. Topic sentences are the most important sentence of the paragraph, and oftentimes extend or embellish the thesis by introducing the evidence of the paragraph.

The best statements tend to be genuine and specific from the very start. You'll be on the right track if you show your enthusiasm for the subject or course, your understanding of it, and what you want to achieve.

Try to avoid cliches and the most obvious opening sentences so you stand out from the very first line. UCAS publishes a list of common opening lines each year. Here are just some overused phrases to avoid using in your personal statement:

Since the skill of writing a good essay is being able to paint an image with words, students must choose a topic that will get others interested in the story and what it has to say about life, society, or themselves.

Most commonly, personal essays are written by high school students as part of their college applications. However, there are many other reasons that a personal essay may be assigned or written, including:

The introduction to your personal essay will set the scene for the reader. Therefore, your personal essay needs to start with a compelling hook that will draw the reader in and make them want to read more.

This hook statement could be a humorous or poignant anecdote related to your topic or a line of questioning that the reader will be interested in following. For example, some possible opening lines for a personal essay could start with:

Generally, a personal essay will have no less than three body paragraphs that detail your experience in chronological order. Each section should discuss one part of the story, including the events leading up to it, what happened during the experience, and what you learned from it.

Body paragraphs may also include examples of feelings, emotions, or arguments that support your experience. The goal of a personal essay is to share a compelling story and teach the reader something about life or themselves by using specific details and language.

The conclusion of a personal essay is optional and depends on what you want to accomplish with the telling of your story. If you want to leave the reader feeling inspired or emotionally moved, then focus on summarizing the main points in a short paragraph that ends on a positive note.

Last week I shared I had begun personal essays with my students. This was the first attempt for both my students and myself tackling this genre. I focused solely on the structure for several days and we drafted many flash drafts. I made mini-charts detailing the structure for students to have close at hand. You can see the chart here.

Once students had become more comfortable with the structure I decided to do an on-demand style assessment to see what they could do with less hand holding. It was eye opening. I noticed that many students were following the structure, but as structures do, it was limiting their ability to elaborate and generate details that would add interest. I also noticed that all the work we did on paragraphing during our personal narrative unit was absent. I decided I needed to break this portion of the essay down a bit deeper for students.

Send us a Text Message.It's the final episode of season two, so we're discussing some of the best practices for writing instruction. We cover the importance of a thriving writing community and the writing process, and we explore the role of oral language in boosting writing stamina. We also discuss the importance of dedicated and intentional writing time, the reciprocity between reading and writing, and the thrill of writing for an authentic audience. This episode will tee you up for the next school year!***Many thanks to this episode\u2019s sponsor, Texthelp!\u00a0Visit text.help\/cowriter to learn more about Co:Writer prediction in Read&Write because everyone deserves the power to read, write, and understand.***Go Deeper:

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Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","title":"Exploring Best Practices and Research in Writing Instruction: A Digging Deeper Dialogue","image":"","guid":"Buzzsprout-15160296","publish_date":"2024-06-02T07:00:00+00:00","duration":"39:02"},"id":"podcast-track-2","link":"","src":"https:\/\/pdcn.co\/e\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2027003\/15105295-plan-your-summer-learning-a-tip-for-tomorrow-from-melanie.mp3","type":"audio\/mpeg","description":"Send us a Text Message.Melanie explores critical strategies to help you plan for your summer learning. Discover practical tips for organizing your classroom, finding or forming a study group, curating mentor texts, and engaging in personal writing. You'll leave this episode invigorated to try one or more ways to enhance your teaching skills for the upcoming academic year.Go Deeper:Join a hybrid book study and writing group led by #TWTBlog co-author Lainie Levin this summer. Learn more at this Summer Writing Refresh: A Grown-up Writing Circle.Simple and Functional Classroom DesignThe 9th Annual TWTBlog Author Spotlight SeriesThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr!Use our special link (https:\/\/zen.ai\/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.\u00a0Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","description_html":"Send us a Text Message.Melanie explores critical strategies to help you plan for your summer learning. Discover practical tips for organizing your classroom, finding or forming a study group, curating mentor texts, and engaging in personal writing. You'll leave this episode invigorated to try one or more ways to enhance your teaching skills for the upcoming academic year.Go Deeper:
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Simple and Functional Classroom Design
The 9th Annual TWTBlog Author Spotlight SeriesThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr!Use our special link (https:\/\/zen.ai\/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.\u00a0Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","title":"Plan Your Summer Learning: A Tip for Tomorrow from Melanie","image":"","guid":"Buzzsprout-15105295","publish_date":"2024-05-26T07:00:00+00:00","duration":"08:14","id":"podcast-track-3","link":"","src":"https:\/\/pdcn.co\/e\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2027003\/15044702-co-create-writing-goals-a-tip-for-tomorrow-from-stacey.mp3","type":"audio\/mpeg","description":"Send us a Text Message.Stacey explores the importance of co-creating goals with students to help them grow as writers. She discusses how collaboration during goal-setting enhances students' ownership, motivation, and personalized learning. It also allows for individualized growth and fosters collaboration and communication with the teacher. If you haven't tried co-creating goals with your students before, this Tip for Tomorrow will inspire you to do so with future groups of students.Go Deeper with These #TWTBlog Posts:Aim Higher: Conferring and Student GoalsCreating Clarity for WritersHow Many Stars? Tools for Self-Assessment and Goal-SettingICYMI Aim Higher: Outgrow Old Goals and Set New Ones (Blog Series)Setting Goals with StudentsStudent Agency, Self-Assessment, and Small Group InstructionStudents and Goal Setting: My Choice, My Growth, My ResponsibilityThe Power of Goal-SettingWhen Your Reality Doesn\u2019t Match Your ExpectationsWriting Checklists: Tools for Independence and Goal-SettingThanks to our affiliate, Marley Spoon! Get $235 off through 5 boxes. This makes the first box portion price start at $4.99. Click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: http:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?mid=6988&id=1261005.\u00a0Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","description_html":"Send us a Text Message.Stacey explores the importance of co-creating goals with students to help them grow as writers. She discusses how collaboration during goal-setting enhances students' ownership, motivation, and personalized learning. It also allows for individualized growth and fosters collaboration and communication with the teacher. If you haven't tried co-creating goals with your students before, this Tip for Tomorrow will inspire you to do so with future groups of students.Go Deeper with These #TWTBlog Posts:
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Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","title":"Co-create Writing Goals: A Tip for Tomorrow from Stacey","image":"","guid":"Buzzsprout-15044702","publish_date":"2024-05-19T07:00:00+00:00","duration":"06:09","id":"podcast-track-4","link":"","src":"https:\/\/pdcn.co\/e\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2027003\/15011502-developing-paragraph-structure-a-tip-for-tomorrow-from-melanie.mp3","type":"audio\/mpeg","description":"Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Melanie guides you through the art of crafting concise and well-structured paragraphs that are easy to follow and understand. With her expert tips on oral rehearsal and the use of sentence frames, she empowers young writers to hone their writing skills and develop a unique voice. Tune in to learn how to help students move from writing formulaic paragraphs to composing authentic pieces that truly showcase their writing talents.Thanks to our affiliate!Libro.fm: Use the TWTPod CodeReceive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.\u00a0Check out Stacey\u2019s audiobook playlist.Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","description_html":"Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Melanie guides you through the art of crafting concise and well-structured paragraphs that are easy to follow and understand. With her expert tips on oral rehearsal and the use of sentence frames, she empowers young writers to hone their writing skills and develop a unique voice. Tune in to learn how to help students move from writing formulaic paragraphs to composing authentic pieces that truly showcase their writing talents.Thanks to our affiliate!
Libro.fm: Use the TWTPod Code
Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.\u00a0
Check out Stacey\u2019s audiobook playlist.Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com
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Plan Boxes Will Inspire You: A Tip for Tomorrow
Conversation with a Colleague Episodes (with Lainie Levin)
Addressing Perfectionism in Writing Instruction
Exploring the Power of Oral Language
University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address and Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World\u00a0 both by Admiral William H. McRaven \u00a0
What Is Executive Function? And How Does It Relate to Child Development? from Harvard University\u2019s Center on the Developing Child
Work Quality ContinuumTHANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE!Zencastr: Use our special link (https:\/\/zen.ai\/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.\u00a0Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings\/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehan...@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: sta...@staceyshubitz.com Email us at con...@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.","title":"Unlock Strategies for Task Initiation: A Tip for Tomorrow from Stacey","image":"","guid":"Buzzsprout-14939931","publish_date":"2024-05-05T07:00:00+00:00","duration":"12:48"],"playerId":"jetpack-podcast-player-block-23832-1"}Follow Blog via EmailEnter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.