should you start off a college essay with a quote

For many, getting started is the hardest part of anything. And that's understandable. First, because it turns whatever you're doing into a reality, which raises the stakes. Second, because where you start can easily dictate the quality of where you end up. College essays have their own special brand of DTDT.

For example, my child started their essay with a short, famous phrase that jumpstarted a discussion on their personal experiences with creative problem-solving. It wasn't just a quote plopped into the intro for flair—it was a meaningful anchor for their story. Ultimately, it's about making sure your essay remains heartfelt and authentically ...

151 1 1 6. I would shy away from starting off your essay with someone else's thought. Try to think of an engaging first sentence that makes the reader think you have something interesting to say. - onomatomaniak. Dec 7, 2011 at 11:56. as a young writer i find it more easy to begin an essay with a quote !!!!!!! mainly as some may contradict it ...

5. Hook your reader. Think of a quotation as a "hook" that will get your reader's attention and make her want to read more of your paper. The well-executed quotation is one way to draw your reader in to your essay. [2] 6. Ensure that the quotation contributes to your essay.

The introduction to a college essay should immediately hook the reader. You want to give admissions officers a reason to stay interested in your story and encourage them to continue reading your essay with an open mind. Remember that admissions officers are only able to spend a couple minutes per essay, so if you bore them or turn them off from ...

FAQs about Using Quotes in College Essays Q: Can I use a quote as the first sentence of my essay? Yes, starting with a quote can be an impactful way to begin your essay. Just ensure the quote is relevant and sets the tone. Q: How many quotes should I include in my essay? While there's no set rule, aim for a balanced approach.

Choose a Quote That Fits Your Purpose. Any quotation must clearly relate to your topic, including a quote used as an introductory hook. A quote seemingly unrelated to your point distracts your readers rather than drawing them in. Choose a quote that fits the tone and focus of the essay. For instance, a humorous quote does not set up a paper on ...

Don't Repeat. If you've mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don't repeat it again in your essay. Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Hey there! Starting your college essay with a quote can definitely be a strong hook if chosen wisely. The key is to make sure that the quote ties directly into the narrative or point of your essay in a meaningful way—it should illuminate something about your personality, values, or experiences that you'll expand upon in the rest of the essay.

Quotes can often fall into the category of cliché essay openers. There are some circumstances in which using a quote might make sense—for example, you could quote an important piece of advice or insight from someone important in your life. But for most essays, quotes aren't necessary, and they may make your essay seem uninspired.

3) Clear up a misconception about you. Although college essays are brief, you'll want to squeeze in as much depth and breadth as you can. Starting by addressing an assumption or stereotype you've faced can be an efficient and engaging way to move past the superficial. Example: Blonde.

6. The Thoughtful Quote. Famous quotes are out, but that doesn't mean all quotes are off the table. One impactful way to start your paper is to begin with a quote that plays a significant role in your story.. This could be a quote from any "main character" in your essay, such as a friend, family member, or teacher, that was said at a pivotal moment in your journey.

If you've got to write your college essay fast, don't panic. First, set yourself deadlines: you should spend about 10% of your remaining time on brainstorming, 10% on outlining, 40% writing, 30% revising, and 10% taking breaks in between stages. Second, brainstorm stories and values based on your essay prompt.

The Bottom Line: How to Start a College Essay. The college essay introduction should hook your reader and make her want to know more and read more. Good personal statement introductions will contain the following features: A killer first line. A detailed description of an experience from your life.

Hi there! Starting your essay with a quote can be a compelling hook if it deeply resonates with your personal story. It can potentially present a powerful framework for your narrative! However, it's really about how you use the quote and the context you provide afterwards. The goal of your essay is to showcase your own voice and experiences, not just share someone else's words.

How to Begin an Essay with a Quote Example. Example 1 - an essay on the environmental "legacy" of current generations. "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace; and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty." (Paine, The American Crisis, 1776).

You should start your college essay with a "hook" or "grabber," such as a fun fact, anecdote, joke, or even quote. We recommend reviewing different College essay examples and paying close attention to the opening lines to get a better idea of what an attention-grabbing opening sentence can look like.

This dialogue segment is from Malcolm Conner's winning "Modern Love" College Essay, printed just a couple months ago in the New York Times. Without dialogue, he might have said "I fumbled with my words, trying to compliment her," but the dialogue shows his rambling and awkward demeanor instead. Dialogue is an underutilized tool in the ...

Never start a college essay with an overly famous, cliche, or boring quote-especially if you don't have anything new to say about it. You can start an essay with a quote that's personal, provocative, or otherwise unusual. It's a tough needle to thread, but done well, this can make for a killer introduction to your personal narrative.

For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook. Yes, an essay may start with a block quotation. The quotation should be important to your discussion and referred to in your prose. This distinguishes it from an epigraph, which is ornamental in nature. Filed Under: formatting an essay, quotations, using sources, writing tips.

3. Use Clear, Short Quotes. It doesn't make sense to start an essay with a long quote that a reader will struggle to remember. Even if a quote is interesting enough to fit the central theme of the essay prompt, you should avoid it in favor of a short, clear quote. If a reader can memorize the quote within the first 30 seconds of reading, go ...

Option 4: End on an action. Ending on an action can be a strong way to wrap up your essay. That might mean including a literal action, dialogue, or continuation of the story. These endings leave the reader wanting more rather than wishing the essay had ended sooner. They're interesting and can help you avoid boring your reader.

Colleges want to know the real you. When you apply to colleges, don't try to make yourself look better by listing the accomplishments or writing the essay you think they want to see. If you're honest about who you are and what you've done, you're more likely to end up at a college that's a good fit for you.