A personal essay is a piece of writing that requires the student to write about their personal experience and describe some of the most important lessons they learned. It can be written in different writing styles such as creative nonfiction or formal essay but must be written in the first-person perspective. This type of essay can serve as a warning to the reader, and it can also be uplifting or inspiring.
Note that when writing a personal essay, you aren’t retelling an event since that will fall into the autobiography or memoir category. With this type of essay, you talk of an experience that made you change, grow, or learn and present some insight or truth that encourages the audience to draw their conclusion.
While everyone’s process of writing the essay differs, here are the general guidelines you need to follow when writing our essay;
Create an Outline
The best way to help you understand the importance of an outline is by listening to an individual who has ever tried to give their personal story without having prepared. The story lacks good flow, real meaning, and even real points. Before you continue to write your essay, draft a personal essay. It will help you organize your main ideas and thoughts. This way, you will figure out early enough if the specific personal story is worth sharing. Regardless of the topic you pick, your essay should have rising action and must have taught you a lesson.
Find a Compelling Topic
Even though your story is unique, there is universal truth below the surface that speaks to everyone. Often, the best topic is much relatable. Some topics such as overcoming an obstacle, facing fear, making a difficult choice, and discovering something new usually tackle events and feelings that have happened in everyone’s life. Even though it’s a personal essay, it must be relatable and engaging. That’s why you need some help with essay writing service to help write a story your reader will relate to. You will get a professional who will also provide essay help by assisting you in organizing your ideas and thoughts in a way they flow.
Introduction
Your very first paragraph must be interesting and captivating to incredibly hook your audience. Form a connection that will encourage them to read to the end. Set your readers up and give them a reason to read your essay to the end. Remember to state your thesis statement towards the end of the first paragraph, summarizing your central claim.
The Body Paragraph
When writing a personal essay, the body consists of three to four paragraphs. This is the part you write the most information. Provide supportive evidence of the moral or lesson you are conveying in your essay. Here are some more tips you can use in the body paragraph to make your personal essay more interesting;
- The introductory sentence in every paragraph should introduce a point that draws your audience in.
- The mid-sentence provide more information about the point
- Conclude the paragraph with a sentence that drives your ideas and views home.
- Create an emotional connection using examples to make the story readable and vivid.
- Describe any particular feeling experienced or any necessary details about real-life characters.
- Use sensory details surrounding the sequence of events guided by your thesis statement.
- Build up your story on this part and lead your audience to the main point.
- Make sure the paragraphs are relatively short
Conclusion
Create a thought-provoking conclusion by summarizing the message you want to pass to the reader and what you learned through your experience. It might be an unsettling or difficult revelation, but ending on a hopeful or optimistic note will make your readers feel more uplifted and inspired.
Proofread
Read your personal essay to check for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Ensure you have followed the proper format and guidelines. Consider giving it to another person to proofread. Getting a professional to proofread your essay is also recommendable. We would recommend someone from Paperleaf as they are recognized for offering a proficient essay writing service. They will advise you where you might have gone off the topic or where you need to add more clarification. No matter how excellent your writing abilities are, it’s always healthy to get someone to recheck your essay before submitting it to your lecturer.