This week, guest blogger Janine Robinson, shares some helpful hints on the college essay. 

Want to know the inside scoop on what makes the best college app essays? It’s called a “slice of life” narrative, where the writer picks one interesting moment, incident or event to start the essay, and then goes on to share what she or he learned from it. They are personal, engaging and the opposite of the formal, pedantic essays that English teachers promote.

But how do you find your best story? And then make sure it’s about you? How can you tell it’s a good one for your college app. essay?

Here are some tips from my short guide to writing college app. essays, called Escape Essay Hell!, on how to find your best stories to showcase what makes you unique–using a story-telling approach to make it interesting:

1. When looking for a great story, start with one of your defining qualities. (Examples: curious, self-disciplined, creative, empathetic, bold…) Then look for “times” or examples of when you either demonstrated or developed this quality, or had it challenged. When your mini-story, or anecdote, is linked to a core quality, you make sure your essay will be about you, and not someone or something else.

2. Recall “times” when you faced a problem. If you can find a problem, you will find a compelling story. Problems come in many different shapes and sizes: challenges, change, mistakes, conflict, tension, obstacles, phobias, fears, bad luck, loss, physical traits, etc. Relate the problem in your anecdote at the start of your essay (Just describe what happened in a fiction-like style using descriptive details, scene setting and even dialogue), then go on to explain how you handled it, and what you learned.

3. Look for stories that have a twist. Try to find something “unexpected” to write about: something that happened to you that no one would expect to happen to someone like you (a guy who loved knot-tying got stuck in a tree because he used the wrong knot); or an interest, obsession or hobby that would surprise people to learn about you (a football player who loves to bake cakes); or a personal trait, characteristic, phobia, flaw or idiosyncrasy that has privately defined you (you are a 4-foot-10-inch tall dancer with size 9 shoe) .

4. Stick with “mundane” or everyday topics (or stories) as opposed to ones you think might be impressive. This may seem counterintuitive to what you would want to tell a college, but it works every time. Here are some topic examples (with the core quality in parentheses): The Day I Washed Dishes at My Dad’s Restaurant (Leader); People Think I’m Mean Because I Weigh 300 Pounds (Empathetic); Why I Love Riding Public Busses (Resourceful); I Use Formal Manners Even Though I Live in Surf City (Respectful); I’m a Perfectionist Living with A Family of Slobs (Purist).

5. Read sample essays for topic ideas. If you are stuck, skim through a collection of sample essays. First, you will see the range of topics that other students have used, and chances are it will trigger your own ideas. Secondly, you will get a feel for the looser, narrative style, structure and voice of these essays, which will help you write your own.

Ms. Robinson’s website is www.essayhell.com.

Instructions for the 2014-15 Common Application Essay section. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words are your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.