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15 Tips for Writing a College Essay About Yourself

What’s covered:.

• What is the Purpose of the College Essay?
• How to Stand Out Without Showing Off
• 15 Tips for Writing an Essay About Yourself
• Where to Get Free Feedback on Your Essay

Most students who apply to top-tier colleges have exceptional grades, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities. How do admissions officers decide which applicants to choose among all these stellar students? One way is on the strength of their college essay .

This personal statement, along with other qualitative factors like teacher recommendations, helps the admissions committee see who you really are—the person behind the transcript. So, it’s obviously important to write a great one.

What Is the Purpose of the College Essay? 

Your college essay helps you stand out in a pool of qualified candidates. If effective, it will also show the admissions committee more of your personality and allow them to get a sense of how you’ll fit in with and contribute to the student body and institution. Additionally, it will show the school that you can express yourself persuasively and clearly in writing, which is an important part of most careers, no matter where you end up. 

Typically, students must submit a personal statement (usually the Common App essay ) along with school-specific supplements. Some students are surprised to learn that essays typically count for around 25% of your entire application at the top 250 schools. That’s an enormous chunk, especially considering that, unlike your transcript and extracurriculars, it isn’t an assessment of your entire high school career.  

The purpose of the college essay is to paint a complete picture of yourself, showing admissions committees the person behind the grades and test scores. A strong college essay shows your unique experiences, personality, perspective, interests, and values—ultimately, what makes you unique. After all, people attend college, not their grades or test scores. The college essay also provides students with a considerable amount of agency in their application, empowering them to share their own stories.

How to Stand Out Without Showing Off 

It’s important to strike a balance between exploring your achievements and demonstrating humility. Your aim should be to focus on the meaning behind the experience and how it changed your outlook, not the accomplishment itself. 

Confidence without cockiness is the key here. Don’t simply catalog your achievements, there are other areas on your application to share them. Rather, mention your achievements when they’re critical to the story you’re telling. It’s helpful to think of achievements as compliments, not highlights, of your college essay.  

Take this essay excerpt , for example:

My parents’ separation allowed me the space to explore my own strengths and interests as each of them became individually busier. As early as middle school, I was riding the light rail train by myself, reading maps to get myself home, and applying to special academic programs without urging from my parents. Even as I took more initiatives on my own, my parents both continued to see me as somewhat immature. All of that changed three years ago, when I applied and was accepted to the SNYI-L summer exchange program in Morocco. I would be studying Arabic and learning my way around the city of Marrakesh. Although I think my parents were a little surprised when I told them my news, the addition of a fully-funded scholarship convinced them to let me go. 

Instead of saying “ I received this scholarship and participated in this prestigious program, ” the author tells a story, demonstrating their growth and initiative through specific actions (riding the train alone, applying academic programs on her own, etc.)—effectively showing rather than telling.

15 Tips for Writing an Essay About Yourself 

1. start early .

Leave yourself plenty of time to write your college essay—it’s stressful enough to compose a compelling essay without putting yourself under a deadline. Starting early on your essay also leaves you time to edit and refine your work, have others read your work (for example, your parents or a teacher), and carefully proofread.

2. Choose a topic that’s meaningful to you 

The foundation of a great essay is selecting a topic that has real meaning for you. If you’re passionate about the subject, the reader will feel it. Alternatively, choosing a topic you think the admissions committee is looking for, but isn’t all that important to you, won’t make for a compelling essay; it will be obvious that you’re not very invested in it.

3. Show your personality 

One of the main points of your college essay is to convey your personality. Admissions officers will see your transcript and read about the awards you’ve won, but the essay will help them get to know you as a person. Make sure your personality is evident in each part—if you are a jokester, incorporate some humor. Your friends should be able to pick your essay from an anonymous pile, read it, and recognize it as yours. In that same vein, someone who doesn’t know you at all should feel like they understand your personality after reading your essay. 

4. Write in your own voice 

In order to bring authenticity to your essay, you’ll need to write in your own voice. Don’t be overly formal (but don’t be too casual, either). Remember: you want the reader to get to know the real you, not a version of you that comes across as overly stiff or stilted. You should feel free to use contractions, incorporate dialogue, and employ vocabulary that comes naturally to you. 

5. Use specific examples 

Real, concrete stories and examples will help your essay come to life. They’ll add color to your narrative and make it more compelling for the reader. The goal, after all, is to engage your audience—the admissions committee. 

For example, instead of stating that you care about animals, you should tell us a story about how you took care of an injured stray cat. 

Consider this side-by-side comparison:

Example 1: I care deeply about animals and even once rescued a stray cat. The cat had an injured leg, and I helped nurse it back to health.

Example 2: I lost many nights of sleep trying to nurse the stray cat back to health. Its leg infection was extremely painful, and it meowed in distress up until the wee hours of the morning. I didn’t mind it though; what mattered was that the cat regained its strength. So, I stayed awake to administer its medicine and soothe it with loving ear rubs.

The second example helps us visualize this situation and is more illustrative of the writer’s personality. Because she stayed awake to care for the cat, we can infer that she is a compassionate person who cares about animals. We don’t get the same depth with the first example. 

6. Don’t be afraid to show off… 

You should always put your best foot forward—the whole point of your essay is to market yourself to colleges. This isn’t the time to be shy about your accomplishments, skills, or qualities. 

7. …While also maintaining humility 

But don’t brag. Demonstrate humility when discussing your achievements. In the example above, for instance, the author discusses her accomplishments while noting that her parents thought of her as immature. This is a great way to show humility while still highlighting that she was able to prove her parents wrong.

8. Be vulnerable 

Vulnerability goes hand in hand with humility and authenticity. Don’t shy away from exploring how your experience affected you and the feelings you experienced. This, too, will help your story come to life. 

Here’s an excerpt from a Common App essay that demonstrates vulnerability and allows us to connect with the writer:  

“You ruined my life!” After months of quiet anger, my brother finally confronted me. To my shame, I had been appallingly ignorant of his pain. 

Despite being twins, Max and I are profoundly different. Having intellectual interests from a young age that, well, interested very few of my peers, I often felt out of step in comparison with my highly-social brother. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older.

In this essay, the writer isn’t afraid to share his insecurities and feelings with us. He states that he had been “ appallingly ignorant ” of his brother’s pain, that he “ often felt out of step ” compared to his brother, and that he had felt “ more and more alone ” over time. These are all emotions that you may not necessarily share with someone you just met, but it’s exactly this vulnerability that makes the essay more raw and relatable. 

9. Don’t lie or hyperbolize 

This essay is about the authentic you. Lying or hyperbolizing to make yourself sound better will not only make your essay—and entire application—less genuine, but it will also weaken it. More than likely, it will be obvious that you’re exaggerating. Plus, if colleges later find out that you haven’t been truthful in any part of your application, it’s grounds for revoking your acceptance or even expulsion if you’ve already matriculated. 

10. Avoid cliches 

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed your life. A sports victory as a metaphor for your journey. How a pet death altered your entire outlook. Admissions officers have seen more essays on these topics than they can possibly count. Unless you have a truly unique angle, then it’s in your best interest to avoid them. Learn which topics are cliche and how to fix them . 

11. Proofread 

This is a critical step. Even a small error can break your essay, however amazing it is otherwise. Make sure you read it over carefully, and get another set of eyes (or two or three other sets of eyes), just in case.

12. Abstain from using AI

There are a handful of good reasons to avoid using artificial intelligence (AI) to write your college essay. Most importantly, it’s dishonest and likely to be not very good; AI-generated essays are generally formulaic, generic, and boring—everything you’re trying to avoid being.   The purpose of the college essay is to share what makes you unique and highlight your personal experiences and perspectives, something that AI can’t capture.

13. Use parents as advisors, not editors

The voice of an adult is different from that of a high schooler and admissions committees are experts at spotting the writing of parents. Parents can play a valuable role in creating your college essay—advising, proofreading, and providing encouragement during those stressful moments. However, they should not write or edit your college essay with their words.

14. Have a hook

Admissions committees have a lot of essays to read and getting their attention is essential for standing out among a crowded field of applicants. A great hook captures your reader’s imagination and encourages them to keep reading your essay. Start strong, first impressions are everything!

15. Give them something to remember

The ending of your college essay is just as important as the beginning. Give your reader something to remember by composing an engaging and punchy paragraph or line—called a kicker in journalism—that ties everything you’ve written above together.

Where to Get Free Feedback on Your College Essay 

Before you send off your application, make sure you get feedback from a trusted source on your essay. CollegeVine’s free peer essay review will give you the support you need to ensure you’ve effectively presented your personality and accomplishments. Our expert essay review pairs you with an advisor to help you refine your writing, submit your best work, and boost your chances of getting into your dream school. Find the right advisor for you and get started on honing a winning essay.

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• College essay

How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples

Published on September 21, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability. Your essay shouldn’t just be a resume of your experiences; colleges are looking for a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

To write about your achievements and qualities without sounding arrogant, use specific stories to illustrate them. You can also write about challenges you’ve faced or mistakes you’ve made to show vulnerability and personal growth.

Table of contents

Start with self-reflection, how to write about challenges and mistakes, how to write about your achievements and qualities, how to write about a cliché experience, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Before you start writing, spend some time reflecting to identify your values and qualities. You should do a comprehensive brainstorming session, but here are a few questions to get you started:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are the top five things you are thankful for?
• What has inspired your hobbies or future goals?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

As you self-reflect, consider how your values and goals reflect your prospective university’s program and culture, and brainstorm stories that demonstrate the fit between the two.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing about difficult experiences can be an effective way to show authenticity and create an emotional connection to the reader, but choose carefully which details to share, and aim to demonstrate how the experience helped you learn and grow.

Be vulnerable

It’s not necessary to have a tragic story or a huge confession. But you should openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Even a cliché or mundane topic can be made interesting with honest reflection. This honesty is a preface to self-reflection and insight in the essay’s conclusion.

Don’t overshare

With difficult topics, you shouldn’t focus too much on negative aspects. Instead, use your challenging circumstances as a brief introduction to how you responded positively.

Share what you have learned

It’s okay to include your failure or mistakes in your essay if you include a lesson learned. After telling a descriptive, honest story, you should explain what you learned and how you applied it to your life.

While it’s good to sell your strengths, you also don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead of just stating your extracurricular activities, achievements, or personal qualities, aim to discreetly incorporate them into your story.

Brag indirectly

Mention your extracurricular activities or awards in passing, not outright, to avoid sounding like you’re bragging from a resume.

Use stories to prove your qualities

Even if you don’t have any impressive academic achievements or extracurriculars, you can still demonstrate your academic or personal character. But you should use personal examples to provide proof. In other words, show evidence of your character instead of just telling.

Many high school students write about common topics such as sports, volunteer work, or their family. Your essay topic doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but do try to include unexpected personal details and your authentic voice to make your essay stand out .

To find an original angle, try these techniques:

• Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses.
• Mention objects that have special significance to you.
• Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight.

Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality. When read out loud, the essay should sound like you are talking.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

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How to Write a Short Essay About Yourself: Step-By-Step

Updated 06/4/2022

Published 06/19/2020

Yvonne Bertovich

Contributing writer

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Writing or even talking about yourself may not come easily to you. However, for professional or educational reasons, it’s often a necessity. There are other instances when writing about yourself may make more sense, as you can provide the rawest and most honest perspective.

Jump ahead to these sections:

Steps for writing about yourself, tips for writing about yourself creatively or confidently.

• Examples of Things to Write About Yourself

You should feel empowered—not intimidated—in taking on a writing project about yourself. Use it as a way to challenge how you view your own experiences, talents, and more. We’ll discuss some steps for writing about yourself as well as provide a few examples.  

Writing isn’t for everyone, especially when it’s required. As much as you may dislike it, following the steps below can help the process go that much more smoothly.

If you find that following a different order than what we’ve recommended for you works better for your process, feel free to adjust accordingly. 

Step 1: Determine your purpose 

What’s causing you to write this “thing” about yourself? What exactly are you writing? It may surprise you that people write all kinds of pieces for themselves—even writing your own obituary isn’t out of the question anymore. 

The more specific you can get with yourself about your purpose will help the rest of the process. If it’s something stressful, like a college admission essay or a cover letter, try to frame the project in a different light. 

For example, “I’m writing this essay to show people my heart and how passionate I am about removing disparities and barriers in healthcare. I believe in my abilities, and I want to further my education, so I can help heal people.”

Step 2: Ask yourself some questions 

For any good piece of writing, there has to be fact behind it (if even these facts are abstract in narrative or fiction). The best way to gather facts about any subject is to ask a variety of questions, both soft- and hard-hitting. 

You may ask these questions internally, during research, or directly and literally. Treat this question step as a self-interview.

Here are some questions to ask yourself . You may also ask yourself:

• What is my goal of writing this piece?
• What themes or ideas do I want to focus on?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What are some important lessons I’ve learned?
• What do I want others to know or understand about me?

Step 3: Organize your answers 

After asking yourself the example questions above as well as others, you should be sure to write down your answers and begin organizing them if you haven’t already. 

It may be tempting to just answer your own questions in your head as you go—but don’t. This will just make the writing step more difficult. You may think that you’ll remember every good point or profound thought you come up with, but memory is a tricky thing. 

If you’re working through your questions during a time when you’re not ready or able to sit down and type or scribble them out, at least make some notes in your phone or in a journal so you can have some descriptive hints for later. No matter how big of an epiphany you may have, it’s possible you’ll forget it. 

Step 4: Write a draft 

If your ideas are already fairly organized, writing your draft should come fairly easily to you. The draft process, however, is when you can start spicing things up with anecdotes, your own personal voice, themes, metaphors—all that fun stuff. The point in you writing something about yourself for yourself is for the very reason that you can make it unquestionably you .

Dull, watered-down words or even over-hyped language from a thesaurus plug-in isn’t going to impress anyone. Writing something about yourself (unless the assignment is creative or unorthodox) isn’t the time to act like something you’re not.

All of this being said, don’t stress yourself out too much. Letting your ideas flow freely and then editing or revising them later is how you should approach the process anyway. You don’t want to put too many restrictions on your ideas from the get-go. Warring with yourself about your ideas while writing is only going to tire you out sooner. 

Think about it—you may spend hours trying to write a piece while overthinking that’s no better than a draft you could have written in 30 minutes on the fly. Not being totally in love with your first draft is normal. It just allows you that much more room to improve. 

Step 5: Put your progress aside

Much like during the draft process, it’s very possible to overthink your work after it’s mostly done. If you constantly keep re-reading it or rehashing your ideas in your head, they may start to sound odd, or you may try to add where you need to trim. 

For example, the same concept applies to repeating the same word over and over aloud — it’ll likely start to sound strange or even wrong the more you hear it. This also applies to music — ever play a song you love over and over till you hate it? 

You need to give your words and your brain some time to rest away from each other until you try to make any drastic edits or changes. That being said, you may love what you’ve written already and decide you don’t need to change a thing—that’s great!

Step 6: Review and edit

After your break, you can pick up your writing once again. Read it with a critical eye. Go back and think deeply about your purpose and any provided prompts. Have you answered everything you intended to or are required to?

It’s not uncommon—though devastating—to write an entire piece only to realize you wrote from the wrong frame of reference or focused on the wrong issue. For example, if you were asked to write about a challenge you overcame in your life by following an important virtue, but you only wrote about winning a basketball championship and not the struggle behind it, this may miss the mark. 

If you find a good number of issues in your work, don’t feel tempted to scrap the entire thing. What may work instead is to copy and paste your writing line-by-line into a new document. This way, you can save as much as possible while being sure to resolve even small discrepancies.

Step 7: Finalize your work

After you’ve undergone the brutal process of self-editing (or enlisting help from someone else you trust) you can prepare yourself for the home stretch. Finalizing your work shouldn’t take very long.

Y our process may differ; however, it’ll likely come down to reading over your work a few more times just to make sure you haven’t missed words, punctuation, or proper grammar. 

It’s OK to use this step to feel proud of yourself, too. You may not take a lot of time to reflect on your life and everything you’ve been through—it’s important to practice self-love in this way and celebrate your accomplishments.

Talking or writing about yourself may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For example, did you need to provide a fun fact recently but draw a blank? You’re not alone. In fact, many people have a false assumption that they’re boring. 

On the flip side, perhaps you’re used to talking about yourself, or, at least you’ve got the “fake it till you make it” type of confidence down-pat. However, you too can only benefit from adding a bit more razzle-dazzle to your spiels and writing assignments. Here are a few tips for writing about yourself creatively or confidently.  

Allow yourself space

If you have an upcoming project or writing assignment that has you on edge, consider stepping away. Even if you don’t consider yourself an outdoorsy person, a walk around the block may help you breathe and get your creativity flowing. Naturally, the more sound your idea or angle, the more confident you’ll feel about your upcoming performance.  

Keep that ego in check

An underinflated ego is just as bad as an overinflated one. Pay close attention to your internal dialogue when approaching new projects or writing tasks (or, honestly anything that comes up during your day). How much of what swirls around in your mind is fact? How much of it is just fleeting thoughts or opinions? You are not your thoughts, and you always have choices. Make good ones and be kind to yourself. 

Try this: Instead of thinking to yourself, “Wow, this is a really complex writing assignment. I can’t do this.” Or, “How am I ever going to get into my dream school with this essay? I’m not a strong writer.” 

Change your internal dialogue to, “I have good ideas. I may not have my plan figured out right now, but I’ll get it done,” or, “I have so many great skills to bring to the table and I am very passionate about what’s brought me here. I will convey this the best I can.”

Crowdsource

Sometimes an outside opinion can give us much-needed perspective. Ask your friends, family, loved ones, or coworkers to describe you in a few words or even in abstract ways. Don’t view this as you’re fishing for compliments. Ask your loved ones for honesty, as this insight can only help you when writing about yourself. 

Build up a fuel bank

Pulling inspiration out of thin air may not always be possible. However, if you build up a few reliable sources of inspiration, the next time a project hits, you’ll be prepared. You can fuel your creativity and confidence in a variety of ways. 

For example, you can create certain playlists for different moods, save favorite art or graphics in a digital folder or keep printed versions in your home or office, write down affirmations or notes-to-self in a journal or app, and so on. 

Reflect on past accomplishments and setbacks

Even if you aren’t a fan of journaling, writing about yourself is far easier if you take the time to reflect, if only mentally. If you know you have a deadline to write about yourself in the near future, you may want to physically or mentally jot down a few real-life examples or experiences that come to mind. 

But how do you get in the right headspace to reflect? What if you only witness recurring thoughts about past events while trying to fall asleep? Be sure to practice the first tip in this section: Give yourself some space to think. For once, limit the distractions, keep all other screens put away or turn on your "do not disturb" feature.

Now, think about some past accomplishments or setbacks that may not even seem relevant to the topic of the assignment. You may have an epiphany about unrelated things or discover something about how you operate. For example, you might realize that you feel less nervous in social and professional settings if you call out your anxiety as being excited. 

Examples of Writing About Yourself

Even if you feel super confident about writing about yourself now, we wanted to provide a few short examples to help you get started. Your tone, word choice, and more may differ depending on which piece you’re working on.

Here are some tips for writing or publishing your life story you may also find helpful. 

In a memoir or essay

Those were probably the best and the worst days of my life. I had never felt more happy and never felt more sad. I felt as though I were so close to having everything I had ever wanted, yet it seemed with every step forward, I had to take two steps back. It was exhausting. How did I get through it? To be quite honest, I have no damn idea. 

Perspective helped. I knew I could have had it way worse; I knew that my struggle wasn’t unique. I knew, too, that even when the small wins would come they’d have yet another loss right on their tails. I paid dearly for having too much heart and optimism, so I regularly had to hose myself down with logic and pessimism. 

On your blog or website

If you’re reading this, it’s too late. Just kidding! That’s just a really good Drake album. I wanted to take some time to talk about what’s been going on in my life lately for those of you who are nosey enough to care. Again, kidding, I know some of you really care. I’m so grateful to have even this small following that I have. It’s wild, really. Who would have thought that people want to know what’s going on in my head at any given time? Joke’s on you guys, though, because I don’t fully know all the time. 

I guess I’ll start off by saying that work has been a whirlwind. As you all know, it isn’t an easy time for anyone, so please don’t take this declaration as a complaint. I’m thrilled to still have a job despite everything going on. However, leaving this reflection at just that would be doing both myself and you all a disservice. It’s weak. It doesn’t really describe what’s been going on. Allow me to continue.  

In a college essay

When I was young, my grandmother told me I couldn’t please everyone — that some people just wouldn’t like me for no reason at all. This was very hard for me to swallow at times. What does this have to do with who I am today and why I plan to attend your university? 

Well, this early lesson demonstrates that in order for this world to keep spinning, we all have to be unwavering in our own pursuits. We are ourselves. We can’t be anyone else. In that, we all have the responsibility to bring our unique talents, wisdom, and heart to the table — even when we’re seated across from people who may not like us. 

Sometimes Only You Can Do It

Writing about yourself may always be challenging for you, but who better to do so than who knows you best? If you work through the process in every situation and give yourself some patience, there’s no question that you can’t craft something amazing. You may also be interested in this article about how to write family stories .

Your written words mean more than you think. This becomes a part of your legacy when you're gone, and it's one of the ways you'll be remembered. While many families choose custom urns from Foreverence or even to craft memorial diamonds from Eterneva , your words are something that live after you're gone.

While it might not seem natural at first, learning to write about yourself, your perspective, and your experiences carries a lot of significance. Who knows who might read these words when you're gone?

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• Condolences & What To Say

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Write About Yourself: Tips and Prompts

by Joe Bunting and Sue Weems | 199 comments

When you have to write about yourself, do you hit a roadblock? If so, you're not alone. There are a number of situations when you have to write about yourself for school, work, or publication. Let's break down a few ways to make it easier and then use some prompts to get you started.

When Do You Have to Write About Yourself?

Several scenarios might require you to write about yourself from personal essays to job applications and biography blurbs. 

The key for each is to think about the purpose and the target audience. Then shape your personal history or life experience into a well-crafted piece of writing that meets those needs of purpose and audience. 

Let's look at a few of the most common scenarios where you have to write about yourself. 

Personal Essays

Personal essays aren't just for high school. A personal essay typically reflects some aspect of your life that you are sharing for a specific purpose. Many college applications or scholarship applications ask for a college essay or personal statement to help them get to know you as a student or applicant. 

If it's for a university or school application, you might write about:

• academic achievements
• personal accomplishments
• difficult experiences that helped you grow
• personal stories that relate to your desired field of study

Personal essays will have a friendly tone regardless of the essay topic. The personal examples you include or the personal stories you tell will need to be focused tightly on the audience and purpose. If you're trying to get into a university engineering program, you don't want to write about a pet's passing.

Your story of losing a pet is likely moving and will tell committee members about you and your personality traits, but it won't communicate why you might be a good fit for their school or program. 

If you're writing a personal essay for a course in narrative or memoir, then of course, your story of your pet's passing would likely be a solid choice. 

Personal Essay Prompts

1. Tell about a time you overcame a significant hardship.

2. Describe an interest that makes you lose track of time. 

3. Tell the story of an experience or person who changed the way you thought or lived.

4. Describe a time you overcame rejection or fear.

5. How has your community shaped you as a person?

Job Applications

More and more job applications include personal statement sections or questions that ask you to describe your professional experience in more detail. Job seekers are often used to listing out bullet points on a resume, so writing about yourself can feel uncomfortable, even in a letter of introduction. 

In professional settings and applications, you want to focus on four elements as you write about yourself:

• relevant experience
• recent professional accomplishments
• personal details that enhance your qualifications
• specializations

Again, keep your purpose and audience in mind. If you're having trouble narrowing down your relevant experience, consider looking at the job listing to see what they require of applicants. That way, you tailor your experience to what the position requires.

Some common job application prompts

1. Tell us about yourself. (They aren't asking about your favorite food or vacation last year! Focus on professional experiences.)

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

3. How have you managed conflict in former roles?

4. Describe your strongest professional accomplishments.

5. Why do you want to work here?

Remember, each of these questions is designed to help a company get to know you as a professional—share only relevant stories and details that align with that purpose. 

Author or Speaker Biographies

As a writer (or speaker!), you need an author biography to include on any publications. These can be short 100 word statements that give the audience a sense of who you are as a person.

Again, the purpose and audience matters. If you are a scholar writing and speaking on a topic in your academic field, it's appropriate to list your relevant degrees and major publications to build a sense of credibility and authority. 

If you're a fiction author, your biography will likely reflect a few personal details that are meant to connect with readers in a positive light. 

The best way to know what will connect with your intended audience, is to look at the biographies and About the Author pages in books like your own. 

A few things you might include in an author or speaker biography:

• where you live (generally speaking—not your personal address)
• themes you explore
• awards, recognition, or other publications
• relevant personal background info

You can see our full guide here on writing an author biography here .

Prompts for author or speaker biographies

1. What are the two most important things for your audience to know about you?

2. Find two authors writing in the same genre you are. Write your biography using their bios as models. 

3. What themes do you explore in your work and why are they important to you? Write them out, and then condense.

4. What experience or awards are relevant to your work? List them out and pick the top two.

5. Make a list of all the things that you likely have in common with your target audience. Choose two to include in your biography. 

How to Write About Yourself 

Whenever you're asked to write about yourself, take it as a challenge to share relevant personal experiences with vivid details and your unique point of view. Remember that you're not sharing your entire life story. Stick to short personal anecdotes and pay attention to your purpose and audience. 

How do you feel about writing about yourself? What tips have made it easier? Share in the comments.  

Choose one of the prompts above. Set the timer for 15 minutes and write about yourself without stopping. If you don't have an essay, job app, or bio to write, then simply try to capture something true about yourself and your experience in the world today.

When time is up, share your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop here and leave feedback to encourage a few other writers too.

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Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

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How to Write an Essay About Yourself

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Writing an essay about yourself is no easy feat — although you may know yourself better than anyone, it can be tough to get the perspective needed to write about yourself in essay form. Despite its challenges, writing essays about yourself is one of the most crucial skills in the college application process, and we have some key tricks to make it easier. Keep on reading to learn about some of our best techniques to write about yourself naturally!

• Outline your experiences

Ask friends and family for input

• Don’t be too humble…
• Let your personality shine!

Try journaling

Read more: How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

Outline your impactful experiences

Before you dig into prompts, try writing out a bullet-point list of meaningful experiences you’ve had. Underneath each bullet point, reflect on what they might demonstrate. Here’s an example:

• Working as part of a team
• Learning to balance school and work responsibilities
• Honing communication skills
• Developing writing skills
• Fostering a passion for my school community
• Learning to meet deadlines and balance responsibilities
• Learning to balance school and volunteer responsibilities
• Gaining an attention to detail

This is a little different than a typical resume — rather than focusing on your specific duties, try to focus on how the experience shaped your character. If you notice a lot of overlap between the experiences, that’s perfect! You can point out these recurring themes to make for an effective essay with a strong overarching point. Making lists like this early on in your writing stage can be helpful, and you may find yourself coming back to consult the list for many future essays.

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When writing about yourself, it is important to reflect on your strengths, and who is better to do that than a supportive team of family and friends?

Consulting family and friends is a great way to learn about strengths that you might not even know you had. Your friends choose to hang out with you for a reason, and they often notice your good qualities that you take for granted. Having your friends point these out can be useful for an essay, as well as a general pick-me-up!

And if you’re looking for a perfect anecdote to answer a prompt like “How have you demonstrated a commitment to your community ,” who better to remember your past acts of kindness than your parents? 

Also recommended: Top essay & writing scholarships

Is it okay to ask friends and family to read my essay and offer feedback?

Some students may be wondering, is it okay to ask for additional help from friends and family? And the short answer is: absolutely. Additional essay reviewers can offer valuable feedback as you write your essay. With this said, students should make sure that they are maintaining their own voice in the essay. Outside reviewers should not be rewriting the essay or having a heavy hand in changing the written voice.

Don’t miss:  How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

Don’t be too humble

There is a time and a place for humility. But don’t worry if you feel like your essay is verging on the braggadocios. These essays are an opportunity to showcase your best qualities, and you should not be worried about putting your best foot forward and telling the reader all the reasons why they should be impressed by you.

What makes these essays effective is that they both include your relevant experiences and demonstrate why they are so significant. You may feel as though you are making mountains out of molehills, but it’s important to emphasize the importance of your experiences. This is the main objective of writing about yourself.

Also recommended: How to write a 500 word essay

Let your personality come through

Most essays written about yourself will be written in first-person. This provides a perfect opportunity to add some flair to your writing. While your first priority is to include impactful examples and communicate your points effectively, it is also important to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

If you see an opportunity to show off your sense of humor or use a more personal tone, don’t be afraid to do it. As long as your remarks are appropriate, on-topic, and not too frequent, they can help put you ahead of the pack.

Recommended:  How does an admissions officer read your application and essays?

A great trick for becoming comfortable writing essays about yourself is to try keeping a journal. Journaling helps eliminate the pressure of writing an essay while helping you become comfortable writing about yourself in an informal setting. Spending 10 or 15 minutes every night writing about your day, or answering some informal prompts can help you to get more in touch with yourself and jog your memory about past events that could be useful for an essay. 

Don’t miss:  Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Next steps for students

Now you’ve learned about the goals and techniques for writing an essay about yourself. Your next step should be to focus on making your writing effective and efficient. Make sure that your conclusion ties everything together impactfully . And once you’ve finished your draft, ask family members, friends, or college counselors to read over it and provide suggestions. Good luck, writers!

Related:  Overview of common scholarship essay prompts

Frequently asked questions about how to write an essay about yourself

How do you make yourself write an essay, how do you start off an essay about yourself, what are the 3 main parts of an essay, scholarships360 recommended.

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5 Steps To Write An Essay About Yourself

Writing essays and academic papers are two such responsibilities for which students often face challenges throughout their academic life.

In fact, self-introduction essays are among the most typical assignments students confront among the many other essays.

Writing an essay about yourself necessitates you to possess excellent writing and storytelling abilities.

To produce a great personal essay, students must devote time, patience, and work. This article will educate you on how to write an essay on yourself, your family, a personal experience, and so on.

However, if you are time-pressed and unable to compose an essay, there are services that write same-day essays for students too.

When Might You Need to Write About Yourself?

Self-introduction essays or writing an essay about yourself is required during various circumstances of your academic and professional life.

Aside from the obvious cases, such as a personal statement or self-evaluations/appraisals, here are other situations where you’ll be required to write an essay about yourself:

• For graduation school applications
• When writing biographies
• For career advancement opportunities
• In cover letters and resumes
• Seeking internship opportunities
• In grant proposals

Most people think that writing an essay about yourself is one of the easiest tasks to do. Nonetheless, that may not be the case for most students.

One must possess good college writing skills to put their best foot forward and impress the reader to stand out among their peers. And here’s how you can do it correctly and confidently.

What Must the Self-Introduction Essay Include?

Writing an essay about yourself is a perfect opportunity to write about your strengths, achievements, and unique characteristics that provide an insight into yourself.

You may be confused about what exactly to write or express in your self-introduction essay. So, in this post, we will explain what you can write about yourself that will help you score brownie points and stand out amidst the competition.

Also, check out these examples and samples on self-introductory essays .

For instance, when writing about yourself, consider your path and the things that have shaped you into the person you are. You can also write about various things such as:

• Your hobbies
• Your aspirations and dreams
• The things you want to learn
• The things you are best at

How to Write an Essay

Before composing an essay, understand the basic structure and prepare an outline to avoid any mistakes down the road.

So if you are wondering how to structure an essay, remember that all essays follow a basic structure – introduction, the body, and conclusion.

Introduction

This is the first part of the essay, and it must pique the reader’s interest. You must add a ‘hook’ here to keep the reader glued.

You must provide a thesis statement at the beginning of your writing that exhibits the main idea of your essay.

Overall, the introduction must provide a brief overview of the entire essay in an engaging way.

The section contains a minimum of three paragraphs that explain the major themes or story of the essay. Ensure that each paragraph connects smoothly with the next. It is best to write in chronological order to avoid confusion.

This is the last paragraph or last section of the essay, and it must logically conclude your story. Here you can highlight the lesson you’ve gained throughout your experience. It is better to keep this section short.

Essay Structure

This is the basic structure that one must follow when writing an essay. Once you understand the essay format, create an outline that includes:

• An introduction about yourself
• Your most significant professional experience
• Noteworthy awards or personal accomplishments
• Relevant information about your personal life

Note: Make sure you use an appropriate tone if it is not mentioned. While an informal tone is used when writing about personal experiences, remember not to use any ‘slang’ words that might look unprofessional.

Steps to Writing an Effective Essay

Use particular anecdotes to highlight your accomplishments and traits without appearing pretentious.

You can also write about difficulties you’ve encountered or mistakes you’ve made to demonstrate vulnerability and personal progress.

1. Self-Reflection

The first step is to reflect on the topic before you begin writing to determine what you want to include in your essay.

Having a thorough brainstorming session can help a lot. However, here are a few starter questions that can help you:

• What has influenced your hobbies or future ambitions?
• What are you most pleased with?
• Why do you look up to someone in particular?
• Consider how your values and aspirations mirror your target university’s program and culture as you self-reflect. Develop tales that highlight the fit between the two.

2. Write Something Extraordinary

Using the questions above, pick an incident or some strong point about yourself to elucidate.

Remember that you must write about a single incident or quality that makes you stand out. Avoid talking about two qualities or two incidents.

3. Define the Goal

Read the essay guidelines and align your writing with that. The goal of your essay must reflect well in your words.

4. Know Your Audience

Think about your audience’s expectations and interests. It is critical to capture their attention and keep them reading your work until the finish.

5. Detailed Outline

The outline must be detailed and include all significant points.

Once the outline is ready, you can expand it into a full-fledged essay using the vital points. After completing the essay, proofread for typos and grammatical errors to ensure there are no mistakes.

These are the steps that college students can follow when writing self-introduction essays.

The first step to writing a successful essay is selecting an incident or quality that you want to write about.

It is recommended that you brainstorm the ideas and create an outline to avoid mishaps later.

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9 Tips for Writing an Essay About Yourself

You know yourself better than anyone else, but writing about yourself can still be tough! When applying for scholarships or to college, essay prompts  can feel so general (and yet so specific!) that they leave us stumped.  So we’ll show you 8 tips to write an essay about yourself, so that you can land more scholarships. (Psst – Going Merry makes applying easy .)

1. Create a List of Questions

2. brainstorm and outline, 3. be vulnerable, 4. use personal examples, 5. write in the first person, 6. don’t be afraid to show off…but stay on topic, 7. show personality , 8. know your audience, 9. proofread and edit.

Let’s start with some examples of personal essay prompts:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Describe a challenge or event that made you who you are today.
• What are your short and long-term goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?
• Write about a time you failed at something. How did it affect you?

These are just a few of many scholarship essay prompts that require you to look internally, to answer a question, solve a problem, or explain a scenario in your life.  

We get it. You might not be a big fan of bragging about yourself, or you might want to keep your personal stories to yourself. But by opening up and sharing your story, you can show scholarship providers, colleges and universities who you are, and why you’re deserving of their scholarship.

(Don’t just take our word for it – check out our scholarship winners page full of students like you who were brave enough to share their stories with us).

To get started, check out these 9 tips on how to write an essay about yourself:

After reading through the scholarship essay prompt, breathe, and make a list of smaller questions you can answer, which relate to the big essay prompt question. 

Let’s say the main essay prompt question asks you, “What were challenges or barriers you had to work to overcome?” Then the smaller questions might be something like:

• What is your background? Family, finances, school.
• What was challenging about that background?
• What’s your greatest accomplishment? How did you get there? How have previous challenges influenced your goals?

Think of these questions as mini-prompts. They explain your story and help you answer the main essay prompt with more details than if you just answered it without a plan in place.

After considering smaller questions, it’s time to brainstorm your answers.  Take out a pen and paper – or open up a document on a computer – and take your time in answering each mini-prompt. Organize your responses in order:

• Intro to main essay prompt.
• Answer about 3 mini-prompt questions.
• Conclude by rewriting the answer to the main essay prompt with a summary of your mini-prompt answers.

This organization will help you stay on topic and answer the prompt directly. (Or check out these 6 scholarship essay examples for alternative essay structures.)

Don’t be afraid to let your strengths, challenges, and personal stories shine through in your essay! Scholarship and admissions committees love to see that you’re self-aware how you can improve as a person, or how you’ve grown because of your experiences. Honest writing can help tell the best stories (in this case, YOUR story).

Since this essay is all about you , you should make your answer as specific as possible! Avoid using generalizations (e.g., “I’m really good at music). Instead, go for more personalized statements (e.g., “My fourth-grade teacher Ms. Matay really inspired me to pursue my interest in the clarinet”). Your personal examples are what will help your scholarship essay stand out among the thousands of applicants..

 You’re telling your story, so write from your perspective! You can narrate your story. You can provide an overview of what you learned from your experiences. However you choose to answer the prompt, we recommend writing in an active tone, and using “I” and “me” throughout your essay.

Most students worry about bragging in their essay, but we say go for it! This is your time to shine, so highlight your accomplishments and strengths.  Review your essay to make sure that you’re keeping the tone informative and that you’re still on topic. (Brag while answering the essay prompt; don’t just mention random, unrelated but impressive facts about yourself!)You can use this brag sheet where you can brainstorm your accomplishments. While the worksheet is geared toward requesting letters of recommendation , you can still use it to write out your hobbies, interests, college list , and strengths to help you answer your scholarship essay prompt.

Just because it’s an essay doesn’t mean it has to be dry and boring. This essay is all about you, so let your personality shine through. If you’re the class clown, you can use a bit of humor. If you wear your heart on your sleeve, don’t be afraid to show emotion. Trying your best to express who you are as a person will have a huge effect on the admissions or scholarship committee!

If you’re applying for a scholarship, research the scholarship provider. If you’re applying to college, research the school. Understanding what makes the provider/college unique and what their motivations are, will allow you to incorporate that information in your essay. For example, many scholarships are funded by private companies that sell products. You might want to reference those products in your essay. A good example of this is Emily Trader’s essay for the Life Happens organization , where she uses her personal narrative to explain the importance of insurance planning, since that is the mission of the organization (which is funded by insurance companies).

The last step in answering your essay prompt is to double-check your work! One typo can be distracting and cause scholarship providers to scratch their head while reading the essay. ( Psst, humble brag: Going Merry’s application platform includes spellcheck because we’ve got your back .) In addition to proofreading for typos and grammatical errors, also consider whether the sentence or paragraph structure makes sense. Are you breaking paragraphs in the right place? Are you using topic sentences well to signpost your main ideas? Does the essay flow? Consider these “bigger” structural questions too.  You might also want to ask a friend, family member, teacher, or guidance counselor to review your essay. They might catch something you didn’t see the first time around, and that can really help your essay! In fact, that is scholarship winner Daniel Gill ’s #1 tip. (Another tip is to apply for scholarships using Going Merry !)

Also, check out this helpful list of the 10 most common scholarship essay topics while you’re brainstorming!

Now that you know how to write an essay about yourself, it’s time to start applying for scholarships! Remember: You’ve got this. 

Sign up for your free Going Merry profile . From there, you can easily upload and submit your essay for thousands of scholarships. We make it easy so you’ll only need to enter your profile information once! And then, you can apply away. In fact, we even have some bundled scholarships so that you only enter your essay once, to apply for multiple scholarships at the same time.

Or if you’re not ready to register, simply sign up to receive an email with 20 new scholarship opportunities each week. Just enter your email address below:

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How to Write About Yourself

Last Updated: July 31, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lucy Yeh . Lucy Yeh is a Human Resources Director, Recruiter, and Certified Life Coach (CLC) with over 20 years of experience. With a training background with Coaching for Life and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at InsightLA, Lucy has worked with professionals of all levels to improve the quality of their careers, personal/professional relationships, self marketing, and life balance. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,681,224 times.

Whether you're writing an essay about yourself for a scholarship, a self-introduction, or a personal bio for a job application, coming up with the right words to capture what makes you unique can feel challenging. Fortunately, there are tips and tricks that can make writing about yourself a breeze. Want some help getting across just how impressive, interesting, and skilled you really are? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about putting yourself into words effectively, complete with examples.

Writing of the Autobiographical Nature

• Who are you?
• What is your background?
• What are your interests?
• What are your talents?
• What are your achievements?
• What challenges have you faced?

• What is your most interesting or unique quality? What word(s) describes you the best? Choose that topic.

• Bad: I like sports.
• Ok: I'm a fan of basketball, football, tennis, and soccer.
• Good: My favorite sport is football, both to watch and to play.
• Better: When I was growing up, I would watch Big Ten football with my dad and brothers every Saturday, before we'd go outside and toss the football around. I've loved it ever since.

• Braggy: I'm the best and most dynamic worker at my company right now, so you should want to hire me for my talents.
• Humble: I was lucky enough to be awarded three employee of the month awards at my current job. Turns out it was a company record.

Writing Personal Essays for School

• Common themes or prompts for autobiographical essays include overcoming obstacles, great successes or spectacular failures, and what you learned about yourself.

• Depending on the assignment, you may need to connect a personal anecdote to a reading or an idea from class. Start brainstorming topics that are connected to that idea, to give yourself a variety of options to choose from.

• Common autobiographical essay cliches include sports stories, mission trips, and dead grandmothers. While these can all make for excellent essays if done well, it is difficult to stand out when telling the story of how your lacrosse team lost a big game, then practiced hard, then won. It has been written before.

• If you want to tell the story of your nasty break-up, start with the break-up, do not start with the star-crossed way you met. You have got to get immediately to the tension in the story.

• When you have an idea of your topic, start writing a "memory list" of specific things that you remember about the event. What was the weather like? What did it smell like? What did your mother say to you?
• Your opening paragraph will set the tone for the rest of the essay. Rather than telling the dull biographical details (your name, your place of birth, your favorite food), find a way to express the essence of the story you are going to tell and the themes you are going to explore in your essay.

Writing a Cover Letter for an Application

• Outline your qualifications and highlight your talents in a cover letter.
• Write about who you are.
• In a cover letter, describe how your education and experience qualifies you for this position.
• Explain how this opportunity will benefit your career goals.

• When in doubt, keep it brief and serious. If you are unsure whether or not telling an amusing anecdote about your friend's bachelor party is appropriate in a cover letter, it is probably best to leave it out.

• "I'm writing to apply for the entry-level position with Company Inc. advertised on your website. I think my experience and training makes me an ideal candidate for this position."
• Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to include your name in the body of the letter: "My name is John Smith and I am applying...." Your name will be included in the signature , as well as the header of a cover letter, so there is no need to put it in the text itself.

• Who you are and where you come from.
• Where you want to go.
• How this opportunity would potentially help you get there.

• Be as specific as possible. It is alright to note that you are "A passionate leader in all walks of life" but it would be much better to write about an example of a time you lead in a surprising way.
• Stay focused on skills and talents that connect specifically to the thing you are applying for. Extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and other types of outstanding achievement may be important to you personally, but it may be totally extraneous. If you include something, ensure to connect it specifically to the goal of the cover letter.

• Be as specific as possible. If you are writing a university cover letter, it is obvious that you have to have a degree to get a job as a doctor, but how did you come to choose this field? Why did you choose this school? What, specifically, do you want to take away from the experience?

• Be careful about using a cover letter to critique a business. It is not the time to describe the suffering of a particular brand over the previous fiscal quarter, then promising that you will be able to turn it around with your ideas. That might not go over well if you are hired, and then you are unable to live up to the promise.

• Even if it is impressive, a high GPA or class ranking does not belong in a cover letter. Highlight it on your resume, but do not include it in two different places of the application.

• Mailing address
• Telephone and/or fax number

Expert Trick : Save time and effort by creating one generic format that you can use for many different job applications by tweaking the specific content for each one. Start with a general introductory paragraph , then a section or two fleshing out your resume and expertise as it relates to the job, and finish it off with a closing paragraph and a note of thanks.

Writing a Short Biography Note

• Pretend you are writing about someone else. Write your name and start describing that person like a character or a friend: "John Smith is the Executive Vice President of Company Inc..."

• If you are a jack of all trades, say so. Do not be afraid to list "actor, musician, mother, motivational speaker, and professional rock climber" if they all apply equally.

• It is common to list degrees that you have received. Pay particular attention to anything that ties into the work you are writing about. If you have special training, include it here.

• "John Smith is the Executive Vice President of Company Inc., in charge of marketing and overseas acquisitions. He received an MBA with distinction from Harvard and lives in Montauk with his cat Cheeto."
• Do not overshare. It can seem funny to immediately start with "John Smith loves rafting and hates eating Cheetos. He's a total boss" and such bio notes can be appropriate for some venues, however be careful to avoid awkward oversharing. Telling everyone about your killer hangover might be best left for after work talk.

• Stephen King, who is one of the most successful and popular authors in recent history, has a bio note that just lists the name of his family members, his hometown, and his pets. Consider leaving out the self-congratulation entirely.

Community Q&A

• Remember that you’re supposed to talk about yourself, it’s the main topic. Don’t talk about your friends or family, even though you may feel tempted to. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• If you are having a difficult time writing about yourself, search online for examples of personal writing, in order to get some ideas and inspiration. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Don't think about how others feel about you. Everyone thinks from a different perspective. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-about-yourself
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• ↑ https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/narrowing-a-topic/
• ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/essay-about-self-writing
• ↑ https://writingcommons.org/article/using-first-person-in-an-academic-essay-when-is-it-okay/
• ↑ https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/6-unconventional-ways-start-cover-letter/
• ↑ https://english.washington.edu/writing-cover-letter
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/career-goal-statement-examples
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-vs-cover-letter
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/whats-the-ideal-cover-letter-length
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-format-a-cover-letter-example
• ↑ https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/first-vs-third-person
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-bio/

About This Article

If you have to write an autobiographical description of yourself, write down a list of your talents, interests, and accomplishments. Use this list to help you choose one specific topic for your description, such as your academic achievements or your leadership qualities. Use specific, unique details to support your topic, such as being awarded an academic scholarship or the fact that you were president of the newspaper in high school. You can list bits of your personal life, but be careful not to overshare. If you want to write about yourself a cover letter or personal essay, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Things to Write About Yourself: 100 Writing Prompts for Self-Discovery

Writing is a great tool for personal growth, but it can be challenging to think of things to write about yourself. That’s why I put together this list of creative writing prompts for adults or teens. These may be used as memoir writing prompts if you’re interested in telling the story of your life, or the could be idea starters for blog posts or journal prompts for self discovery.

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You may not be able to relate to all of them, but I tried to make them pretty general! These creative writing exercises can also help you develop the characters in your short story, novel, or screenplay — just imagine your character answering them instead of you.

If you like these prompts for writing about yourself, you might want to pin or bookmark them for future reference. Take a look!

• Describe one of your earliest childhood memories.
• Write about what you see as one of your best qualities.
• Do you have the same religious beliefs that you had as a child? If so, why? If not, how and why did they change?
• Write about the benefits of being an only child—or the advantages of having siblings.
• Write about how a person can tell if they’re really in love. If you don’t know, write about how you don’t know.
• Are you shy about your body, such as when you change clothes in a locker room? Or are you comfortable with it? Why?
• Write about one of the most admirable classmates or coworkers you’ve ever had.
• Write about one of the worst classmates or coworkers you’ve ever had.
• Tell your story about the time you succeeded at something because you just. Didn’t. Give. Up.
• Write about how you’re a typical resident of your city or town… or about how you’re different from most people there.
• Write about how you fit the stereotype of people from your country… or about how you don’t fit it at all.
• Describe your favorite toy or game when you were five years old.
• Write about one of your most useful talents.
• What superstitions do you believe in or follow? Do you do certain things to avoid bad luck, or make wishes in certain ways?
• Write about a death in your family.
• Write about a birth in your family.
• Tell your story about your first best friend as a child. How did you meet them? How did you play together?
• Describe a physical feature of yours that you really like.
• Is your home usually neat, or usually messy? Why is that? Do you think it matters? Why or why not?
• Describe a part of your job or everyday work that you love.
• Describe a part of your job or everyday work that you loathe.
• Tell your story about how you won something, like a contest, a game, or a raffle.
• Do you think your hometown is a good place to live? Why or why not?
• Do you fit your astrological sign? Why or why not?
• Write about when you think it’s morally acceptable to lie. If your answer is “never,” write about why you think that.
• Write about a trait you inherited or picked up from a parent.
• Write about a way in which you are very different from a parent.
• Discuss one of the most important qualities you think people should look for in a romantic partner.
• Discuss a quality that you think is overrated when choosing a romantic partner.
• Write about a kind of exercise or physical activity you enjoy.
• Describe the contents of a desk drawer or junk drawer in your home, and write about the thoughts or memories that the objects in there inspire.
• Write about what you wish people knew about your job, profession, or calling in life.
• Write about a habit or addiction that you’ve been struggling with for years.
• Discuss something you love about the people in your country.
• Discuss something you wish you could change about the people in your country.
• What was something you misunderstood as a child? It could be the definition of a word, or something about adult life.
• Describe the benefits of being an introvert or an extrovert (whichever one you are.)
• Describe the challenges of being an introvert or an extrovert (whichever one you are.)
• Tell your story about the time you spoke up for something you believed in. How did it feel? Were there any consequences?
• If you don’t have children – do you or did you want them? Why or why not?
• If you have children – what is one thing that surprised you about being a parent?
• Tell your story about when a friend (or a group of them) made your day.
• Tell your story about when a friend (or a group of them) broke your heart.
• Describe an experience at a doctor’s office, dentist’s office, or hospital.
• Describe your dream home in detail.
• Tell your story about how a teacher, coach, or boss supported or inspired you.
• Tell your story about how a teacher, coach, or boss was so awful, they didn’t deserve to have their job.
• Write about something you did in the past year that made you proud.
• Do you live in the city you grew up in? Why or why not?
• Tell your story about a trip or a visit you enjoyed when you were little.
• Discuss whether you think people should share their religious beliefs openly, or whether they should keep it private.
• Discuss why you do or don’t consider pets to be family members.
• Describe what you think would be a perfect romantic date.
• Write about a type or style of clothing that you feel uncomfortable wearing, or that you simply dislike.
• Describe your personal style in clothing and whether it’s changed over the years.
• Write about the worst house or apartment you’ve ever lived in.
• Tell your story about a time when, rightly or wrongly, you got in trouble at school or at work.
• Do you always vote in elections? Why or why not?
• Do you think people make snap judgments about you based on your appearance? Are they accurate or not?
• What’s something that people don’t learn about your personality unless they get to know you very well?
• Write about something that terrified you as a child.
• Write about a particular phobia or fear you have now. If you’re not scared of anything, write about that!
• Write about something you believe that isn’t a particularly popular belief.
• What’s something you wanted badly as a child? Did you get it? If so, was it everything you hoped? If not, did it matter?
• When you’re feeling sad or down, what are ways that you make yourself feel better?
• What is something that makes you almost irrationally angry?
• Write about an object you own that has religious, spiritual, or symbolic significance to you.
• Do you consider yourself hopeful or cynical about romance? Why?
• Write a note apologizing to a part of your body for insulting it in the past.
• Write a note thanking a part of your body for doing such a good job.
• Tell your story about when you had a delightful guest in your home.
• Tell your story about when you had an unwelcome visitor in your home.
• Describe the time you were a guest in an unusual home.
• What was the strangest course or class you ever took?
• Write about a time when you tried your best – and it didn’t pan out. How did you get over it?
• Write about a small thing you accomplished this week.
• Write about the ways that your hometown has changed over the years.
• Write about a way your country is changing for the better.
• Describe someone who bullied you as a child. Why do you think they did it?
• Do you believe that things happen for a reason, or do they just happen randomly? Why do you think this?
• Do you believe that you have a lot of control over your destiny or future? Why or why not?
• Write down a funny story that your family likes to tell again and again.
• Tell your story about a time you got injured or you were in an accident.
• Write about some of the things you do at home when you’re completely alone.
• Tell your story about how you learned a new skill.
• Describe the way you get to school or to work every day.
• Propose a frivolous or ridiculous law that you would like to implement, and explain your reasoning.
• Write about something you did (or didn’t do) that you’re proud of from a moral or religious standpoint.
• Tell your story about having a great time at a party.
• Tell your story about a party you wish you had never attended or hosted.
• Tell a story that has to do with your hair, or the lack of it.
• Write about a feud or rift in your family.

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If you want to do more self-discovery and you could use a fresh start right about now, check out my journal, The Book Of Dreams Come True ! It’s a journal about goals and manifestation, and I’m really excited to share it with you. I’m even making a sample available—here’s the free PDF download of that.[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]Do you have more ideas of things to write about yourself, or advice on how to do it? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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65 thoughts on “ things to write about yourself: 100 writing prompts for self-discovery ”.

Yet another really helpful list. Thanks, Bryn 🙂

Thanks Anne, and thanks for sharing! 🙂

WOO HOO! As usual, there’s a Ton of Great Stuff here. You’re totally awesome! When I grow up (I’m only 55 now) I wanna be like you! LOL 🙂

My answer to #100 – Sleep All Day!! Or at least stay in bed as much as I could bear.

Robin, you are too kind! Thank you. 🙂 Sounds like #100 is a pretty short writing prompt for you, though, haha!

Great post, Bryn. I shared on FB, Pinterest, and Tumblr.

“Write about when you think it’s morally acceptable to lie. If your answer is “never,” write about why you think that” (#27).

“Lie.” Facts, truth, and lies aren’t mutually exclusive. Knowledge, context, intent, source, speaker, and audience are factors.

For example, Disney’s Pinocchio is different than DreamWorks’ Pinocchio in the Shrek movies.

When it comes to “facts,” all of us cover more than any one point on the continuum: True, Mostly True, Half True, Mostly False, False, Pants On Fire (politifact.com’s scale).

“Let’s pretend” is okay for kids and adults, and it’s also okay to make-believe with Alzheimer’s patients who will physically attack you if they have all the information they demand. One could spend eternity debating “Little White Lies” (and their definition) and what to do in the face of death or danger.

Thanks so much for sharing, as always! I’m honored. 🙂 I like your thoughts about lies and facts!

Whoaa! What a Great helpful list?. You’re Awesome nd Helpful Bryn! I love the ideas.

Hey Sani, so glad you like it! Thanks for the kind words!

Thanks Bryn, this list is really comprehensive and a great starting point to bring more to a story. I’m writing my mother’s story and these questions will be good for prompting her thoughts. Thanks again, happy writing.

Suzanne, that is so cool that you’re writing your mother’s story! I’d love to think I could help even a little tiny bit 🙂 Thanks for reading, and for commenting!

I want to put it on pinterest but alas no button lives at Bryn’s blog?

OH that’s so nice of you! If you hover over the graphic a Pinterest pin should show up, and there should also be one at the bottom of the post?

It was a wordpress glich! Today you have pins visable. Thhank you.

Ah, thanks for taking the time to tell me, Ellen. I was a little worried about that! Very kind of you. 🙂

Okay they are visible today, silly wordpress… ?

A remarkable list. Did it take you long to write this? Thanks for the tips. Many would be useful for educators.

Hi Katharine! Haha, it did take me a while. I used to teach first-year composition at university, and I had that in mind for some of these. 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind words!

I found your blog via Mr. Ape (Chris Graham). Thank you for sharing these excellent writing prompts. 🙂

Hi, Tracy! Ahh, Chris is so kind to share 🙂 So glad you liked them!

I needed some “personal-essay” type journal entries, and this is a great list. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome, so glad it was helpful, Sarah!

I love this list!! Just reading through it was like watching a reel of “Coming Soon to a Pen and Paper Near You!” — little flashes of stories from my childhood and other memorable moments that I should really write down while my brain is still firing on all pistons (sort of :)). Thank you for posting this! XO

Thanks, Kerissa! Okay, and I have to say, this:

“Just reading through it was like watching a reel of “Coming Soon to a Pen and Paper Near You!” ”

is really clever writing! 🙂

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This is a really great list! I’m so happy to have found it. I’m working on writing a memoir and I’m certain that a number of these will be useful when trying to figure out what is missing from my pieces (as if I don’t have enough editing notes to work with….).

Thanks for sharing!

Hi Darya! How cool that you’re working on a memoir… I hope this does help. I bet editing a memoir is a challenge! Thanks so much for commenting!

Really love this post.. I’m happy I stumbled on your blog. I’ve been facing some issues writing.. I’m not sure if it’s laziness or writer’s block. Maybe a combination of both. I’m sure making use of those prompts will bring about a change. Thanks for sharing this ??

Hi Maryam, so glad you found it, too! It can be hard to establish a writing habit. The good news is, once you get into the habit, it’s easy to sit down and write. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, and have a great week!

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Love these prompts! I am planning to write these in a journal and try to do them daily! Thank you for sharing your creativity!!!

Hi, Alex! I’m so glad you like them. I hope they lead to lots of great writing for you 🙂

Hi Bryn, You’ve put together a great list of writing prompts. Thanks so much. I’ve committed them to my writer’s journal and will turn to it for inspiration whenever I get stuck !

Hi, Dominic! I’m so glad you like them. Hope they lead to some great writing!

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hey bryn this list really helps me by giving me something to write about

this is makenzie oneal hey bryn this list really helps me by giving me something to write about

Hi, Makenzie! I’m so glad it was helpful. Have a great 2018!

Brilliant ideas Bryn Donovan. Thank you for sharing as I will definitely use them to ‘push’ my writing forward.

I enjoy reading your posts too. I’m trying to improve my writing and reading your articles is really helpful.

I just stumbled upon your site. Thanks for these writing suggestions. I am a retired English professor and have saved a number of prompts that I enjoyed sharing with students. Now, some friends and I, all retired community college educators, meet with some Turkish friends who are improving their English through informal conversations. The young ladies asked for writing assignments, so I am always looking for new ones. Everyone in the group participates in writing according to the prompts I give the members. We have fun sharing what we have written.

Hi, there! Oh, I am so glad you like them. It must be hard to learn English if you’re Turkish! How wonderful that you’re helping your friends.

Oh! And I should let you know that my book 5,000 Writing Prompts is on sale today and tomorrow, 99 cents for Kindle (usually $6.99 Kindle, $15.99 paperback.) Here’s the link if you want to check it out! https://amzn.to/2XELEuO

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Nice post !

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Thank you so much for these brilliant asks. I am helping to teach an English class, and I am thoroughly inspired to incorporate some of these!

Hi there! Ah, that’s wonderful. So glad they were useful!

They helped me a little bit, but not much.

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How To Write About Yourself Professionally: Making Your Professional Self-Summary Shine

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on July 22, 2023

Categories Writing

You’ve landed that coveted job interview. Your palms are sweaty, heart racing – it’s your time to shine. But when the inevitable ‘Tell us about yourself’ question pops up, you freeze.

How do you encapsulate years of experience, skills and aspirations into a concise answer? It’s like trying to fit an ocean into a teacup! Don’t panic; we’re here to help you navigate these rough waters.

This article will guide you on how to write about yourself professionally, highlighting key experiences and skills without oversharing or underselling yourself. From crafting a compelling introduction to updating your bio regularly, each step is designed with one goal in mind: to make ‘you’ the best product on offer!

With practice and perseverance, you’ll master this art in no time.

Key Takeaways

• Tailor your professional narrative to your target audience and the specific goals you want to achieve, whether it’s for a job interview or professional networking.
• Prioritize and highlight relevant experiences, quantifying them and analyzing their impact to showcase your achievements and skills effectively.
• Incorporate testimonials or external perspectives to add credibility to your narrative.
• Use clear examples, real-life accomplishments, metaphors, and anecdotes to make your narrative compelling and engaging.

Understanding the Purpose

Before you start crafting your professional narrative, it’s crucial that you understand the purpose behind it – what do you intend to achieve and who’s going to be reading it?

Setting writing objectives can help guide your thoughts and keep your content relevant. For instance, if your goal is to land a job interview, your writing should primarily focus on showcasing skills and experiences that align with the job description. On the other hand, if you’re aiming to build a robust professional network, highlight key accomplishments and leadership roles that demonstrate credibility.

Your professional write-up isn’t just about listing down career facts—it’s about telling a story where each piece fits into an overarching narrative. Remember: clarity and conciseness are key! Keep sentences short but impactful—every word matters here. Tailor language according to the specific role or industry jargon without overloading it with buzzwords.

Knowing why you are penning this piece and who will read it makes for an effective self-introduction—one that resonates with its intended readership while maintaining authenticity.

Start with a Strong Introduction

Contrary to common belief, introducing oneself isn’t an art form reserved for secret agents and superheroes – it’s actually quite mundane. However, that doesn’t mean you should just stick to the basics. Grab attention from the get-go with a captivating opener.

Maybe start with a personal anecdote that highlights your strengths or experiences relevant to your profession. Don’t shy away from sharing a little bit about your journey. Personal anecdotes can make your introduction more engaging and relatable while showcasing who you are beyond just job titles and degrees.

For instance, if you’ve traveled extensively for work, share how these experiences shaped your perspective on business or customer relations. Remember, this is not a memoir but rather the professional story of you. Therefore, keep it clear and concise yet interesting enough to leave them wanting more.

After crafting this compelling intro, don’t forget to tailor it according to each job description or professional opportunity you seek. This might seem like extra work but trust us – showing that level of detail will set you apart from others right off the bat.

So there you have it! By incorporating these strategies into your self-introduction process, you’ll be presenting yourself in an engaging and memorable way.

Highlight Your Experiences

Now, let’s move on to the importance of highlighting your experiences.

Always prioritize those experiences that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for – this will show potential employers that you’ve got exactly what they’re looking for.

Don’t forget to showcase your achievements too, as these can be a powerful demonstration of your capabilities and competencies.

Prioritize Relevant Experiences

Highlighting your most relevant experiences first will not only captivate your audience’s attention, but also give them a snapshot of what you bring to the table. This approach adds value to your profile and increases its appeal.

To prioritize effectively, consider these steps:

• Experience Quantification: Start by listing all your experiences then filter out those directly linked to the profession or role you’re targeting.
• Impact Analysis: Evaluate each experience based on its impact and relevance to the job description.
• Ordering: Arrange them in descending order, starting with the most significant.

Your focus should be on showcasing how your experiences make you an excellent fit for the role at hand. Remember, it’s about quality over quantity when detailing professional accomplishments.

Showcase Achievements

Showcasing your achievements isn’t just about listing awards or accolades; it’s about painting a vivid picture of how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. By quantifying successes, you provide concrete evidence of your impact.

For instance, if you increased sales by 20%, mention that statistic to demonstrate your value.

Incorporating testimonials is also effective. Quotes from past employers or colleagues can attest to your skills and accomplishments, offering an external perspective on your capabilities.

Remember to align these achievements with the job description, ensuring they’re relevant and compelling for prospective employers. Keep it clear and concise – no need for lengthy explanations.

Your goal is to show, rather than tell, why you’re the ideal candidate through tangible successes and glowing testimonials.

Detail Your Skills and Talents

Now, let’s delve into detailing your skills and talents in a way that leaves an impression.

Be specific and concrete, don’t just say you’re good at something, illustrate it with clear examples or quantifiable achievements.

Remember the golden rule: Show, don’t just tell.

Be Specific and Concrete

While you’re describing your professional background, don’t just say you’ve got ‘experience in marketing’; instead, mention that time when your innovative social media campaign boosted the company’s brand visibility by 40%.

Be specific and concrete. Use quantifiable evidence to back up your claims. For instance, if you’re a salesperson, note how much you increased sales or customer retention rates.

Don’t shy away from providing real-life examples of your accomplishments. Did you implement a new strategy that improved workflow efficiency? Say so! Your potential employer wants to see tangible proof of your skills and talents.

Remember: being vague won’t do any good. In order to stand out, detail specific instances where you made a significant impact in your previous roles. This will give them a better grasp of what you bring to the table.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Don’t just claim you’re a team player, paint a vivid picture of that time when your collaborative efforts led to the successful completion of a major project. Show, don’t just tell. Utilize metaphors and incorporate anecdotes to make your professional narrative compelling and relatable.

For instance:

Make sure these examples align with the job description, showing not only what you’ve done but how it can benefit prospective employers. Remember, show them why they should hire you; don’t just tell them!

Discuss Your Education

Did you know that I’ve earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the prestigious Stanford University? This is one of my key academic achievements.

The rigorous curriculum there allowed me to develop strong analytical skills, which are vital for problem-solving tasks in any tech-related job. While at Stanford, I not only mastered coding languages like Python and Java but also excelled in more theoretical subjects such as data structures and algorithms.

My professors often commended me on my ability to grasp complex concepts easily–a skill that has proven useful throughout my career. Post-graduation, I didn’t stop learning. Recognizing the value of continuous education, I pursued further studies through online courses and certifications.

These have been instrumental in staying up-to-date with the latest technological trends and developments. My educational background doesn’t just reflect my qualifications; it’s a testament to my dedication and commitment to excellence within this field.

When you’re considering candidates for your team, remember this: Not only do I come equipped with a solid foundation from one of the world’s top universities, but I also possess an undying thirst for knowledge coupled with an innate drive for success.

Include Personal Interests

Having delved into your academic credentials, let’s shift gears to another facet of your professional identity – personal interests. It might surprise you, but including your hobbies in a professional context can offer a richer depiction of who you are.

Your personal interests can be an unexpected source of strength and inspiration that shapes the way you work. For instance, if photography is one of your hobbies, it demonstrates your eye for detail and creativity. This could translate well if you’re applying for a role that requires meticulous attention to details or creative thinking.

The hobby influence extends beyond just skills; it molds character traits too. An interest in team sports showcases teamwork and leadership qualities while solo activities like reading reflect introspection and patience.

Consider carefully how each interest impacts your professional persona. Tailor this aspect to align with the job description when required – perhaps showcasing strategic thinking from chess if applying for managerial roles or displaying persistence from marathon running for sales jobs.

So don’t dismiss those after-work pursuits lightly; they could be instrumental in setting you apart as a unique candidate on the corporate stage!

Be Honest and Authentic

In the pursuit of landing your dream job, it’s vital to stay true and authentic. Honesty is always the best policy, especially when you’re writing about yourself professionally. It also extends to personal authenticity and a truthful representation of who you are.

Working on an honest self-portrait requires more than just listing down your skills or achievements. Here are some ways to ensure your professional profile remains genuine:

• Be upfront about your strengths and weaknesses: Don’t shy away from mentioning areas where you need improvement. It shows humility and a willingness to learn.
• Share real-life examples: Use specific instances from past experiences to showcase your skills or demonstrate how you deal with challenges.
• Avoid exaggeration: Embellishing facts can lead to unrealistic expectations that may harm you in the long run.

Remember, being honest doesn’t mean revealing every detail of your life. It’s all about presenting a realistic picture of what makes you unique as a professional without compromising truthfulness and authenticity. Employers appreciate individuals who can confidently show their true selves while maintaining professionalism—so don’t be afraid to let your genuine light shine through!

Keep It Concise and Clear

While you’re tempted to pour out every detail of your accomplishments, it’s crucial to keep your professional profile concise and clear. Using a more concise language usage can help you achieve this. Understand that recruiters or potential clients often skim through loads of profiles and resumes.

Your ability to communicate your skills, experience, and achievements briefly yet effectively can set you apart.

To enhance clarity in your writing, make use of clarity enhancement techniques. Avoid the use of jargon or overly complex words. Instead, stick with simple and straightforward language that is easy to understand. This doesn’t mean dumbing down your content but making it accessible for everyone who reads it.

Always remember that less is more when it comes to sharing about yourself professionally. Be specific rather than general in your descriptions; this gives a better idea of what exactly you bring to the table without overwhelming readers with information.

Keeping things concise doesn’t have to mean leaving out important details about yourself—rather, focus on prioritizing the most relevant facts aligned with your career goals or job requirements. By doing so, not only do you save time for those reading but also present a clear picture of who you are as a professional.

Use Professional Language

Don’t be shy about sounding a bit formal when it comes to your professional profile – it’s expected!

Formal Vocabulary Importance can’t be overstated. It not only showcases your knowledge and professionalism but also helps you stand out from the crowd. Your choice of words can make or break an impression.

Choose Your Words Wisely: Use industry-specific terms that highlight your expertise in the field. This demonstrates that you’re well-versed in Professional Jargon Usage and knowledgeable about current trends.

Avoid Slang and Colloquialisms: Stick to standard English, keeping it crisp and clear. Casual language can detract from the professional image you’re trying to project.

Proofread Thoroughly: Ensure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors as they could undermine your credibility.

When writing about yourself professionally, remember that every word counts. Be precise with what you say, tailoring your content to match the job description perfectly while maintaining a level of formality that feels natural yet impressive.

By adopting a tone of professionalism and using appropriate language, you’ll portray yourself as a competent, reliable candidate who knows their stuff – without sounding pompous or overbearing!

Incorporate a Call to Action

Just as a compelling movie leaves you longing for a sequel, your professional profile should also compel the reader to take action. This is where incorporating a call to action (CTA) becomes crucial.

You want them eager to connect, follow up or offer you an opportunity. Your CTA’s placement and wording can greatly influence this outcome.

An effective CTA complements the tone of your self-description and clearly communicates what steps the reader should take next. Is it sending you an email? Following your blog? Downloading your portfolio? Make it clear and easy for them to do so. Keep in mind that every contact initiated through your profile can potentially lead to new opportunities.

When writing about yourself professionally, consider emphasizing the action impact of your accomplishments and experiences. Show how you’ve made a difference in previous roles or projects – this adds credibility and substance to your profile while encouraging readers to imagine what you might achieve in their organization.

Remember, each element of your professional write-up, including the call-to-action, should be strategically placed and effectively written. While wrapping up, reiterate subtly why they should engage with you but avoid sounding desperate or pushy. Keep it confident, courteous, yet compelling enough for them to act upon.

Proofread and Edit

After crafting your captivating professional profile, it’s crucial to meticulously proofread and edit the content for any errors or ambiguities. The essence of this exercise is not only to correct grammatical missteps but also to ensure that your text communicates your expertise, skills, and achievements effectively.

Editing tools can be a great help in this process. Software like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can spot mistakes you might overlook and suggest improvements for better readability. These tools aren’t perfect though; they may miss context-specific errors or nuances in language use. Hence, it’s important not to rely solely on them for error detection.

Another effective strategy is asking peers or mentors for a review. A fresh pair of eyes can catch inconsistencies, unclear passages, or information gaps that you may have missed. They can provide valuable feedback from an outsider’s perspective which might be closer to how potential employers would perceive your profile.

Remember, the aim is not only about eliminating errors but also refining each sentence until it shines with clarity and precision tailored to the job description. It’s worth investing time into this stage because well-polished profiles leave a lasting impression on readers- setting you apart from other candidates without doubt.

Ask for Feedback

Ironically, despite believing we’re the best judges of our own work, it’s often others who can provide the most insightful critiques. When writing about yourself professionally, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback. It can offer a fresh perspective and help you spot weaknesses in your self-portrayal that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Here are some potential channels through which you could seek constructive criticism:

• Peer Review: Share your write-up with peers in your industry or field. They’ll understand the context better and can give specific suggestions.
• Mentor Guidance: If you have a mentor or someone whose opinion you value highly, their input would be invaluable.
• Professional Editing Services: These services can give an unbiased review of your content with a professional lens.

Receiving feedback isn’t always easy but remember it’s meant to improve your overall presentation. Take each piece of advice seriously and consider how it could enhance your narrative. Constructive criticism is not about pointing out faults—it’s about identifying areas for improvement.

Keep this in mind: The more open you are to different perspectives, the more compelling and engaging your professional story will become. Never underestimate the power of good feedback; use it as fuel to fine-tune every word that describes you professionally.

Regularly Update Your Bio

Consistently refreshing your biography ensures it accurately reflects your evolving skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This continual update is essential in maintaining a professional image that aligns with the current bio trends. As you grow professionally, your bio should mirror that growth.

Updating your biography doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Start by making a list of new skills you’ve acquired or significant projects you’ve completed since the last update. Then incorporate these achievements into your existing bio while maintaining content consistency. Remember to tailor this information to fit the job description or professional context for which the bio will be used.

Always strive for clarity and conciseness when adding new details about yourself; avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language. Keep it simple yet impactful, showing not only who you are but also what value you bring.

Regularly updating your biography can have a powerful impact on how others perceive your professional persona. It displays an ongoing commitment to personal growth and adaptability, reflecting positively on both present circumstances and future opportunities. So make it a habit: take stock of your achievements regularly and ensure they’re visible in your bio – because every success counts!

Templates and Examples

Having a well-crafted bio is vital, but remember to keep it fresh and updated. Now, let’s shift our attention to the aspect of crafting your professional description with some guidance from templates and examples.

When starting off, look for established templates that can guide you in creating a well-structured biography. The Bio Structure not only helps organize your thoughts but also ensures all critical information is included. These frameworks usually start with an introduction about yourself, followed by your expertise and achievements, then rounding up with personal details that add a touch of personality.

Next, consider examples from professionals in your field or those who’ve successfully built their Personal Branding. Use these references as inspiration while making sure to maintain authenticity – remember it’s about showcasing you!

Incorporate elements like mission statements or notable career milestones which reflect your personal brand values and vision. Showcase what makes you unique and stand out in the crowd.

As we wrap up this topic on using templates and examples, keep in mind that the key is adapting them to fit your narrative authentically rather than copying verbatim. Let these resources be stepping stones towards creating a compelling professional portrayal of yourself.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t be afraid to mix things up and try different approaches when writing about yourself professionally. It’s essential to rehearse your bio regularly, just as you would for a speech or presentation. Remember, practice makes perfect and the more comfortable you are with your professional narrative, the more confident you’ll appear in any professional setting.

Try Different Approaches

It’s funny how we can craft epic tales about fictional characters but when it comes to writing about ourselves, we’re as lost as a squirrel on a treadmill. It’s time to shake things up and try different approaches.

Start by exploring various writing styles. Maybe you excel in formal, scientific prose or perhaps your style is more conversational and engaging. Adapting your tone accordingly will make you sound more authentic and relatable. Remember, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ method here.

If you’re applying for a job, tailor your narrative to the job description. Highlight skills and experiences that align with what they’re looking for. This way, you not only tell them who you are but also why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

Rehearse Your Bio

Once you’ve crafted a compelling personal narrative, rehearsing your bio becomes an essential next step. This process can help refine your presentation and ensure consistency in the way you portray yourself professionally.

• Analyze Your Bio Structure: Break down your introduction, body, and conclusion. Make sure each part highlights relevant skills or experiences efficiently.
• Practice Narrative Style: Rehearse out loud to get comfortable with the flow of your story. Remember, this practice helps you sound natural and confident.
• Revise as Needed: Based on feedback or self-assessment, tweak parts of your bio that don’t seem to work well.
• Be Consistent: Ensure every rehearsal aligns with the job description for which you’re applying.

In a nutshell, rehearsing gives strength to your professional image while maintaining authenticity in every word spoken about yourself!

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Essay on Myself: 100 Words, 250 Words and 300 Words

• Updated on  
• Mar 12, 2024

Every Individual is different from each other and it is important to self-analyze and know about yourself. Only you can know everything about yourself. But, when it comes to describing yourself in front of others many students fail to do so. This happens due to the confusion generated by a student’s mind regarding what things to include in their description. This confusion never arises when someone is told to give any opinion about others. This blog will help students and children resolve the confusion and it also includes an essay on myself. 

While writing an “essay on myself” you should have a unique style so that the reader would engage in your essay. It’s important to induce the urge to know about you in the reader then only you can perform well in your class. I would suggest you include your qualities, strengths, achievements, interests, and passion in your essay. Continue Reading for Essays on myself for children and students!

This Blog Includes:

Long and short essay on myself for students, tips to write essay on myself, 100 words essay on myself, 250 words essay on myself, 10 lines on myself essay for children, 300 words essay on myself.

Also Read: English Essay Topics

Mentioned below are essays on myself with variable word limits. You can choose the essay that you want to present in your class. These essays are drafted in simple language so that school students can easily understand. In addition, the main point to remember while writing an essay on myself is to be honest. Your honesty will help you connect with the reader.

Tell me about yourself is also one of the most important questions asked in the interview process. Therefore, this blog is very helpful for people who want to learn about how to write an essay on myself.

Given below are some tips to write an essay on myself:

• Prepare a basic outline of what to include in the essay about yourself.
• Stick to the structure to maintain fluency.
• Be honest to build a connection with the reader.
• Use simple language.
• Try to include a crisp and clear conclusion.

I am a dedicated person with an urge to learn and grow. My name is Rakul, and I feel life is a journey that leads to self-discovery. I belong to a middle-class family, my father is a handloom businessman, and my mother is a primary school teacher .

I have learned punctuality and discipline are the two wheels that drive our life on a positive path. My mother is my role model. I am passionate about reading novels. When I was younger, my grandmother used to narrate stories about her life in the past and that has built my interest towards reading stories and novels related to history.

Overall I am an optimistic person who looks forward to life as a subject that teaches us values and ways to live for the upliftment of society.

Also Read: Speech on Discipline

My name is Ayushi Singh but my mother calls me “Ayu”. I turned 12 years old this August and I study in class 7th. I have an elder sister named Aishwarya. She is like a second mother to me. I have a group of friends at school and out of them Manvi is my best friend. She visits my house at weekends and we play outdoor games together. I believe in her and I can share anything with her.

Science and technology fascinate me so I took part in an interschool science competition in which my team of 4 girls worked on a 3-D model of the earth representing past, present, and future. It took us a week to finish off the project and we presented the model at Ghaziabad school. We were competing against 30 teams and we won the competition.

I was confident and determined about the fact that we could win because my passion helped me give my 100% input in the task. Though I have skills in certain subjects I don’t have to excel in everything, I struggle to perform well in mathematics . And to enhance my problem-solving skills I used to study maths 2 hours a day. 

I wanted to become a scientist, and being punctual and attentive are my characteristics as I never arrive late for school. Generally, I do my work on my own so that I inculcate the value of being an independent person. I always help other people when they are in difficult situations. 

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of the Internet

Here are 10 lines on myself essay for children. Feel free to add them to similar essay topics.

• My name is Ananya Rathor and I am 10 years old.
• I like painting and playing with my dog, Todo.
• Reading animal books is one of my favourite activities.
• I love drawing and colouring to express my imagination.
• I always find joy in spending time outdoors, feeling the breeze on my face.
• I love dancing to Indian classical music.
• I’m always ready for an adventure, whether it’s trying a new hobby or discovering interesting facts.
• Animals are my friends, and I enjoy spending time with pets or observing nature’s creatures.
• I am a very kind person and I respect everyone.
• All of my school teachers love me.

My name is Rakul. I believe that every individual has unique characteristics which distinguish them from others. To be unique you must have an extraordinary spark or skill. I live with my family and my family members taught me to live together, adjust, help others, and be humble. Apart from this, I am an energetic person who loves to play badminton.

I have recently joined Kathak classes because I have an inclination towards dance and music, especially folk dance and classical music. I believe that owing to the diversity of our country India, it offers us a lot of opportunities to learn and gain expertise in various sectors.

My great-grandfather was a classical singer and he also used to play several musical instruments. His achievements and stories have inspired me to learn more about Indian culture and make him proud. 

I am a punctual and studious person because I believe that education is the key to success. Academic excellence could make our careers shine bright. Recently I secured second position in my class and my teachers and family members were so proud of my achievement. 

I can manage my time because my mother taught me that time waits for no one. It is important to make correct use of time to succeed in life. If we value time, then only time will value us. My ambition in life is to become a successful gynaecologist and serve for human society.

Hence, these are the qualities that describe me the best. Though no one can present themselves in a few words still I tried to give a brief about myself through this essay. In my opinion, life is meant to be lived with utmost happiness and an aim to serve humanity. Thus, keep this in mind, I will always try to help others and be the best version of myself.

Also Read: Essay on Education System

A. Brainstorm Create a format Stick to the format Be vulnerable Be honest Figure out what things to include Incorporate your strengths, achievements, and future goals into the essay

A. In an essay, you can use words like determined, hardworking, punctual, sincere, and objective-oriented to describe yourself in words.

A. Use simple and easy language. Include things about your family, career, education, and future goals. Lastly, add a conclusion paragraph.

This was all about an essay on myself. The skill of writing an essay comes in handy when appearing for standardized language tests. Thinking of taking one soon? Leverage Live provides the best online test prep for the same. Register today and if you wish to study abroad then contact our experts at 1800572000 .

Kajal Thareja

Hi, I am Kajal, a pharmacy graduate, currently pursuing management and is an experienced content writer. I have 2-years of writing experience in Ed-tech (digital marketing) company. I am passionate towards writing blogs and am on the path of discovering true potential professionally in the field of content marketing. I am engaged in writing creative content for students which is simple yet creative and engaging and leaves an impact on the reader's mind.

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i need a descriptive essay about myself of 210-250 words

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Essays About Being Yourself: Top 5 Examples and Prompts

Self-confidence and simply being yourself can do wonders for your well-being; Here are some examples of essays about being yourself.

What does it mean to “be yourself?” It is when you accept yourself for who you truly are, are confident in yourself, and live out your life authentically, free from fear, pressure, and inhibition. By being yourself, you are the happiest version of yourself. 

When society places such a high value on image, particularly online, it can be hard to stay authentic to who you are as a person. However, always remember that being yourself is good for your mental and physical health. When you live a life true to who you are and you feel happy, there is nothing you cannot achieve. 

If you are writing essays about being yourself, here are some essay examples and writing prompts to guide you. 

For help with your essay, check our round-up of best essay writing apps .

1. Always Be Yourself by Laura Meade

2. transforming my life long affair with low self-esteem by evelyn marinoff, 3. unapologetically me by crystal jackson, 4. i am proud of myself by holly riordan, 5. the importance of being yourself by jeff barton, prompts on essays about being yourself, 1. why it’s important to be yourself, 2. events that shaped who i am , 3. being unopollogetically myself, 4. why do people adopt false personas, 5. my greatest achievement, 6. embracing and overcoming your flaws.

“We talk a lot about being yourself—being true to yourself, reflecting on your best self, striving to be the you that you know is inside. People spend years finding out what makes them happy, and what parts of their personality are most prominent and wonderful, and try to be more of that, more of the time. Here’s the thing; for some of us, our best self is more than one person. Sometimes the quintessential nature of that self is being whoever we can be at the time and making that person amazing.”

Meade describes how she, as an actor is her authentic self, even with the “alternate personalities” she plays in her work. She discusses how she enjoys “acting” in different situations, on camera, or in a social setting. Her essay shows how being yourself differs depending on the person and can sometimes involve pretending not to be yourself.

You might also like these essays about change and essays about cinema .

“In the end, the desire to better ourselves is the first step to building self-esteem, it ultimately starts with loving yourself and honouring your own journey. Contrive a plan-the outcomes you want to get out of your confidence journey, stick to it, and take a stock at the end of each week. Remember that every day gives us a new opportunity to start fresh and anew.”

Marinoff describes her experiences with low self-esteem and how they compare with her life now, where she is herself. She remembers how sadder her life was and gives readers tips on becoming more self-confident versions of themselves, including self-affirmation and keeping a diary. When we want to improve, we build our self-esteem and can be true to ourselves in our day-to-day lives. 

“I realize that I matter, my feelings are important, and I don’t have to be the apologetic, timid mouse in my own life. I can take up space. I can walk with confidence. I can speak up and disagree, even when my opinion is unwelcome. I’m actually entitled to have and speak my opinions.”

Similar to Marinoff, Jackson writes about the difference between her past self and how she is now. She was once timid and afraid to speak her mind because of what others might say. However, she had a realization that sparked her desire to live her life more authentically, doing and saying what she wanted. She reminds readers to be unapologetic, but not to the point that it becomes offensive. 

“I am not completely happy with myself, but I like myself more than I have in a long time. I am more comfortable in empty rooms. I am more enthusiastic about pictures of myself. I am growing to appreciate the person staring back at me in the mirror instead of constantly criticizing her.”

Riordan reflects on her growth over the past few years. She has become more confident, happy, and healthy and uses the lessons she learned from past mistakes. She acknowledges, however, that there are still things she can improve on, such as being less harsh with herself. Though Riordan is not perfect, she is proud to be herself and who she has become. 

“Many of us also act like someone we are not. Whether you did it to impress a love interest, your boss, or someone else, we have all not been ourselves because we believed it would get us what we wanted. But when you are not yourself, you change. You change who you are and what you are about. You change your thoughts and beliefs and you become someone who tries to please others instead of pleasing yourself. You become someone else instead of being yourself.”

In his essay, Barton remembers who he used to be and how he would always base his actions on trying to please others. However, he changed for the better and started doing what he wanted rather than what society expected. He says we should be proud of who we are and stop trying to be other people. We should stop worrying about what others think, be ourselves, and live the lives we want to live. 

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

Many people have discussed the importance of being yourself, but what exactly does this mean? Identify and describe the impact of being authentically yourself. This could include not caring what others think of your style of hair or clothes, embracing your quirks, and not shying away from standing out in a crowd. Include your personal experiences for an engaging and convincing essay. 

Your past experiences shape your authentic self. For your essay, you can write about a specific event you feel was monumental in making you who you are today. Then, retell the story of the event, complete with its causes and effects. 

Reflect on a time when you feel you expressed yourself best. It may be a time when you showcased one of your skills or hobbies or a time when you feel you expressed your feelings most authentically. As with the previous prompt, you are telling readers your story, so be sure to explain the event in detail. 

Despite the growing calls for people to be more confident in themselves, many are still afraid of being their authentic selves, especially in public or on social media. In your essay, explore possible reasons for people’s hesitancy to be themselves, citing credible sources to support your points.

Think back to a time when you were proud of yourself. Describe the situation from winning a competition to learning something new to scoring well on a test. How did it make you feel- happy, relieved, or confident? The possibilities are endless! Describe in detail how this achievement made you feel and how it has impacted the person you are today.

To truly be yourself, you must embrace all your flaws and fears. Describe one negative trait you previously had, and explain how you overcame or subdued this flaw. You can also write about a flaw you currently have and explain how you plan to get rid of it. 

If you’d like to learn more, check out our guide on how to write an argumentative essay .

For more information, check out our top essay writing tips !

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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87 Self-Reflective Prompts To Help You Write About Yourself

Having trouble deciding what to write about yourself ? 

Whether you’re writing for your journal, your memoir, or a class assignment, you have plenty of topics about yourself to choose from. 

You’re more interesting than you might think.

So are the people you live with, work with, and meet — if only for a moment. 

Once you look through the prompts listed below, the real challenge will be choosing which one to write about first. 

What Is a Unique Way to Write about Yourself? 

The point of writing about yourself is to grow in self-knowledge and understanding of where you are and where you want to be. 

With that in mind, it makes sense to write about what you’ve learned so far and how you learned it.

It also helps to explore what you’re good at as well as what areas need work. 

Consider the following categories of self-knowledge: 

• Mistakes you’ve learned from
• Changes to your beliefs and the catalysts behind them
• Painful experiences and what you’ve learned from them
• Favorite things and why you love them
• Things that make you angry or that motivate you to fight for change

Things to Write about Yourself: 87 Writing Prompts 

Enjoy these all about me writing prompts . Start with one that leads your mind to a specific, vivid memory. Then free-write to your heart’s content. 

1. Describe something you’re good at. 

2. What do you want to be when you grow up and why?

3. How do you want people to remember you?

4. What personal beliefs of yours have changed over the years?

5. What would you like to invent and why?

6. If you won $1 million, what would you do with it?

7. If you had all the money you needed to create a nonprofit organization, what would its mission be?

8. What would you change about school or your country’s education system if you could?

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go first and why?

10. Where do you want to live, and what kind of lifestyle would you like to afford easily?

11. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever learned from?

12. Would you rather get paid well for a job you can tolerate or paid little for work you love?

13. What is your favorite food and why? Do you make it yourself, or do you prefer paying others to do so?

14. What superstitions do you believe in or have you believed in, and why? 

15. Do you believe in luck (good or bad)? If so, do you think a higher power is pulling strings on your behalf — or working against you? How much control do you have over your life?

16. Describe your first job, what you learned from it, and whether (and why) you’d recommend it to anyone? 

17. What do you love about yourself? And who in your life sees that in you? Who doesn’t?

18. Describe your best friend and how you met. What keeps your friendship going?

19. Write about an animal with whom you’ve felt a close kinship and describe the relationship between you. 

 20. If you could design your own home, what would be its most important features?

21. What’s your favorite outfit (including footwear and accessories) and why? 

22. What’s your biggest dream for the future, and what are you doing to get closer to it?

23. What makes you angry? When was the last time something made you so mad you took action to change it? 

24. What’s your favorite holiday and why? What do you do to celebrate it? 

25. If you have a romantic partner, what do you love most about them and your relationship? What would you change if you could?

26. What do you most want to accomplish in your life and why? 

27. Have you ever gotten something you wanted, only to realize it wasn’t what you really wanted after all?

28. Do you want to be more like one of your parents or grandparents? Why or why not?

29. Describe one of your earliest childhood memories. 

30. Write about the benefits and challenges of having siblings — or of being an only child. 

31. How much of your body are you comfortable with people seeing? Has that changed?

32. What do you find gross that other people don’t — or vice-versa?

33. Are you interested in marriage, or would you prefer a romantic partnership without marriage? What are your reasons?

34. If you could design your own end, what manner of death would you choose and why?

35. How do you want your body dealt with after you die? Do you want your remains buried or scattered, and why?

36. Describe a favorite game from your young childhood (aged 0 to 10). 

37. Write about something you succeeded at because you did NOT GIVE UP. 

38. Write about a favorite elementary school classmate and what you liked about them. 

39. Write about an interesting high school classmate and what you liked about them. 

40. Write about the best coworker you’ve ever had and why you loved working with them. 

41. Write about the best job you’ve ever had and what you loved about it. 

42. How would you build the perfect sandwich (with or without bread)? 

43. Write about a death in your family and how it impacted you. 

44. Write about a birth in your family and how it affected you. 

45. Write about a marriage or divorce in your family and how it impacted you. 

46. Write about your intimate social circle, how it was formed, and how it influences you. 

47. Write about your chosen family — the people in your life who have become family to you — and how they have become so important. 

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48. Is your living space usually neat and tidy or messy and disorganized? Are you comfortable with it as it is, or what steps are you taking to change it?

49. Write about a personality trait you inherited or picked up from a parent. 

50. Explain whether you think it’s ever morally acceptable to lie, and — if yes — in what situations?

51. Write about a way in which you’re different from a parent or both parents. 

52. Do you believe in astrology? And, if so, what do you love about your sign?

53. Do you find any value in tarot cards or rune stones? If yes, which is your favorite, and what have you learned from it? 

54. Do you collect anything? If yes, describe your collection, how it began, and what it means to you. 

55. What is one thing you’re most likely to splurge on — clothes, food, skincare, entertainment, etc. — and why?

56. What do you think of your hometown? Is it a good place to live, and would you live there again? Why or why not?

57. What’s one quality you think everyone should look for in a romantic partner? 

58. Write about what you wish more people knew about your chosen job/career. 

59. Write about an external struggle that’s been wearing on you lately. 

60. Write about an internal struggle that’s been distracting you and wearing you down. 

61. Describe something you love — or don’t love — about the people in your country. 

62. Would you ever consider leaving your country and changing your citizenship? Why or why not?

63. How do you define patriotism? Would you redefine it if you could, or do you consider the word more or less toxic? 

64. What do you think of dress codes for school? What do you see as their purpose, and what would you do if a student’s attire was a clear violation of that code? 

65. What do you think of hair codes for school? Should someone be excluded for having a non-white hairstyle that honors their culture?

66. When it comes to voting for a presidential candidate, what qualities and beliefs do you look for in a candidate? What are the dealbreakers or non-negotiables?

67. Tell a story about when you had your heart broken. Who did it, what happened between you, and what kind of relationship do you have with them now?

68. Tell a story about when you lost a friend. What happened, and have either of you reached out to the other since then? 

69. Describe the benefits and challenges of being an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert (whichever you are). 

70. Write about a habit or addiction you’ve been struggling with for years. What has helped you fight or change it? Who has helped? 

71. Write about a kind of physical exercise you enjoy? What do you love about it? Is this something you do (or would love to do) regularly?

72. Describe a time you spoke up for something you believed in. Do you still hold that belief? How do you feel when someone else stands up for it or a contrary view?

73. Describe — in vivid detail — your dream home.  How is it perfect for you?

74. Write about a teacher, coach, or mentor who inspired you. How has their influence shaped you and the life you’re living? What do you wish you could tell them?

75. Describe something you did in the past year (or past five) that made you proud. 

76. Write about someone you admired — until you learned something morally offensive they said or did (racist, sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, antisemitic, etc.).

77. Write about someone you thought little of until you learned of something brave, heroic, or generous they said or did.  

78. Do you consider your adopted animals as pets, companions, or family members? Explain why and offer some history on your past relationships with animals. 

79. If you were to travel around the world, would you rather go alone or with company? If you’d like a traveling companion, who would that be?

80. Are you more likely to listen to sad music or happy music when you’re feeling low?

81. When was the last time you took a risk to show someone how you feel about them? 

82. When was the last time someone made a grand gesture to get your attention or show their regard for you? How did you respond, and why?

83. Tell a story about a time you got into trouble at work or school. Do you regret what you did, or does the memory make you proud? Who else was involved?

84. Write about something you believe that isn’t a widely-held belief. 

85. What terrified you most as a child? Does it still scare you? 

86. Has anyone ever made a snap judgment of you based on your appearance? What did they say? And how did you respond?

87. Describe your personal style (clothing, hair, nails, etc.) and how it’s changed over the years. 

Now that you’ve looked through these about me ideas for writing , which one will you write about first? 

You can even make a shorter list of your favorites and tackle one each day for your journal . Or use your favorites as chapter topics for your memoir. 

The important thing is to grow in self-knowledge and to forgive yourself for not being perfect. No one is. Just keep learning. 

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Craft the perfect creative writing prompt from Microsoft Designer's AI images

march 22, 2024

by Monica Jayasinghe

Hello, fellow educators! I recently discovered an exciting way to create engaging writing prompts for my students using AI and Microsoft Designer . The results were amazing, and I can't wait to share this fun and innovative approach with you!

Describing the Vision:

To get started, head over to Microsoft Designer . We'll use the power of AI to generate an image that will serve as the foundation for our writing prompt.

We'll use Image Creator , where you can describe the image you want to create. The goal is to generate an image that will capture your students' imagination and inspire them to write.

For this example, I entered the prompt, A spacecraft landing near a house, futuristic, mysterious.

Choose the image you want to work with

Once you select Generate , Microsoft Designer will provide you with a variety of AI-generated images. Since we're creating a writing prompt, look for an image that has space for adding instructions and is easy to read.

You'll be amazed by the number of options available! When you find an image you like, click on it and select Edit image .

Customize the image

After selecting your preferred image, it's time to customize it.

• Click on Resize in the top panel and adjust the dimensions to match a PowerPoint slide. This will ensure that the image fits perfectly when you're ready to present it to your students. You can also align the image anywhere on the page to create the perfect composition.
• In the box labeled AI tools , you'll see additional customization options. Consider playing with the filters to update the mood and color scheme of your image.

Add instructions and text

To make the writing prompt clear and easy to read, click on the existing text and customize it. To add a heading, click on Text in the left panel. The right panel will populate with even more ideas you can use.

In this example, I changed the color to white and added a story starter.

Engage your students

The possibilities for using AI-generated images as writing prompts are endless! Here are a few options:

Get inspired by the artwork

The most obvious way to use these images is as direct inspiration for student writing. Generate a bold, fantastical, emotional, or silly image and have students write a story about what's happening in the image.

Try this prompt: A whimsical classroom under the sea. The teacher is a wise old octopus. The classroom is decorated with shell desks and seaweed streamers .

Bring stories to life

Another great idea is to take an excerpt from a story you're reading in class and use the AI to generate an image that matches that specific part of the story. This will spark engaging discussions among your students and bring the story to life in a whole new way.

Bring units to life

Why stop at a story? You can also generate images that fit the theme of a unit you're working on, whether you're exploring weather patterns or reliving life on the Oregon Trail.

Consider setting aside some time each day or week for students to free write or journal. Kick off the writing session with an AI-generated image, then throw on some light classical music and let them write. Mix up the kind of images you show them, from lush landscapes to abstract pop art, and see what it inspires.

Try this prompt: An abstract painting in vivid colors

You can even include animated options. After you generate your image in Microsoft Designer, select the image and Create Design . In the right-hand panel that appears, you'll see several design options. Usually, one or more of these options will be animated. Select the animated option and add it to your PowerPoint!

Accessing your AI-generated images

One of the best features of Microsoft Designer is that all the images you create using AI are saved in the My Media section. This means you'll never lose your creations and can easily access them whenever you need them.

This feature enables educators to curate a collection of visuals for various writing themes, be it aliens, dragons, or any other imaginative scenario.

Wrapping up

Microsoft Designer is a game-changer for educators looking to inspire their students' creativity. The AI-generated images, customization options, and easy access to your creations make this a powerful tool for any classroom.

Head over to designer.microsoft.com today and start creating unforgettable writing prompts!

Related topics

More From Forbes

25 writing tips for business owners and content marketers: part 1.

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These easy-to-read tips will help you improve your marketing content, step by step, word by word, ... [+] bit by bit.

Imagine your most promising sales lead opens your latest email newsletter... and immediately deletes it. They might have been ready to schedule a call or request a demo, but your content didn't justify investing any more of their precious time.

How often do you find yourself doing the same—dismissing content because it fails to capture or hold your interest? If you're like most people, your interactions with marketing content is more necessity than choice. You dive in and accept content indignities when facing purchase decisions, sizing up competitors, seeking inspiration, and understanding your audience. Otherwise, you’re outta there!

But let's be honest: It's hard to create content that consistently stands out and captivates busy readers—which is why much of the content out there misses the mark. It's either as bland and uninspiring as a turkey sandwich without the fixings or so jargon-laden that it feels like a meal too dense to digest. Because of this, today's ocean of content has become a sea of sameness, where buzzwords and clichés often drown out originality and kill engagement.

Is your marketing content getting lost in the sea of sameness? Put these writing tips into effect to ... [+] start to make it to shore.

Yet, there's hope. The Content Marketing Institute reports that content marketing generates three times more leads than paid search advertising. But, paradoxically, only about 22% of marketers are truly satisfied with their conversion rates. This chasm between potential and satisfaction highlights a monumental opportunity for us to refine our content and elevate the quality of our engagements.

Samsung Releases New Feature Boost To Millions Of Galaxy Phones

Trump again targets judge s daughter in new york criminal case, apple iphone 16 pro new leak reveals updated colors coming this fall.

What if the secret to bridging this gap lay in the minutiae—the seemingly small but mighty elements that determine the quality, resonance, and effectiveness of your marketing content? That’s exactly what we’re exploring in this five-part series on writing tips for marketers.

From the foundation of varied sentence lengths for rhythm and readability to the persuasive power of active voice, each tip is a step toward captivating content that draws readers and leaves a lasting, positive impression. Each tip comes with explanations and examples to help you quickly get the ah-has you need to improve your content—and your readers’ experiences.

Let’s dig in.

1. Vary sentence length for readability and rhythm

Vary your sentence lengths to improve readability.

While long, monotonous sentences lull readers to sleep, constant short bursts make them feel like they’re in choppy waters. Mix sentence lengths to create a reading experience that mirrors natural speech. This will subtly persuade readers to stay invested in your message.

In his book 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing : Proven Professional Techniques for Writing with Style and Power , Gary Provost shares two great examples of varied sentence length.

First, he writes in short, staccato bursts.

“ This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. ”

Next, Provost varies the length of his sentences from short to medium to long.

“ Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage them with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals—sounds that say listen to this, it is important. ”

Bottom line: Readers have short attention spans and a low tolerance for boredom. Constant short sentences? Snooze-fest. Relentlessly long blocks of text? Eyes glaze over. Mix it up to keep readers engaged. Your content (and your audience) will thank you.

2. Use active voice for authority and impact

Use active voice to add movement and momentum to your content.

You’ve heard of active voice? Active voice makes your writing more direct and lively, giving your words an authoritative ring. It’s your ally when you want to emphasize action and drive a point home.

• Before : A complete list of features can be found on our website.
• Question: Who can find the list? (Answer: You can.)
• After : Explore the list of features on our website.

The first example focuses on the list rather than the reader's actions. It also raises the question: Who can find the list of features? The second example uses the active verb explore because the reader is doing the action — exploring. It implies a discovery, making the content more engaging.

Here’s another example:

• The last few cookies were eaten last night.
• Question: Who ate the cookies?!
• Grandpa ate the last few cookies last night.

Watch for phrases with the following constructions, which often signal passive voice:

• can be verbed
• has been verbed
• were verbed

Before weeding out passive voice became second nature, I’d use my writing app’s Find function to search for phrases like can be , was , and has been . Do the same, and you’ll quickly learn to spot passive voice like a pro.

Bottom line: Using active voice isn't just about grammar. It's about infusing your marketing content with action and ownership, so ditch those pesky passives and give your words power.

3. Use vivid verbs instead of weak adverbs for precision

Use vivid verbs instead of weak verbs plus adverbs to power up your writing. And avoid weak ... [+] modifiers, which you can (often!) eliminate.

Weak adverbs clutter sentences and dilute your message. Instead, choose powerful verbs that stand alone, carry emotion, and paint a clear picture, making your writing more memorable and persuasive.

• Before : The CMO was very happy to see how the new content editor totally revamped her go-to-market content.
• After : The CMO was elated to see how the new content editor overhauled her go-to-market content.

Other substitutions that might come in handy:

• explained clearly -> clarified
• understood completely -> grasped
• increased rapidly -> surged
• decreased significantly -> plummeted
• worked together closely -> collaborated
• investigated thoroughly -> scrutinized
• improved greatly -> enhanced
• changed completely -> transformed
• planned carefully -> strategized

Also, beware of the following weak modifiers, which you can likely eliminate without hurting your content:

A final note on the adverb very : Mark Twain is thought to have said:

“ Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it should be .”

Damned good advice!

Bottom Line: Don't rely on adverbs to prop up weak verbs. Instead, choose powerful verbs that paint a clear picture, making your writing more concise, memorable, and engaging.

4. Use the rule of three to create memorable messages

Use the rule of three to make your content easier to remember.

Tap into the power of patterns to make your message stick. People tend to remember information better when presented in groups of three. This tip is particularly useful for creating marketing slogans and taglines. For example:

• I’m Lovin’ It
• Impossible Is Nothing

You can also use the rule of three to emphasize key points. Group your points in threes to make them more powerful and easier for readers to remember.

• Our new skincare line is natural, nourishing, nurturing.
• We’re committed to innovation, integrity, and impact.
• Join us on a journey to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.

Bottom line : The power of three is simple and undeniable when it comes to crafting sticky messages. Use it for slogans, taglines, and when highlighting key benefits to create marketing content that lingers in the minds of readers.

5. Be specific and avoid generalities to increase credibility

Have you heard the saying, "Specific sell; generalities repel"?

Have you heard the saying, Specifics sell; generalities repel ?

Writing in generalities opens the door for readers to object and ask questions. It may even drive readers away, towards Closed Lost .

Writing with specificity answers reader questions and overcomes objections—in advance.

Concrete details build trust and draw readers into your world, whereas vague statements undermine your message. Specific details paint vivid pictures, making your content authentic and persuasive.

• Before : A lot of people like our product.
• After : More than 5,000 customers rated our product five stars, praising its ease of use and transformative results.

Here, the switch from the vague, a lot, to the specific, 5,000+ reviews, opens the door to instant trust. The added detail about what's liked makes the text even more persuasive and implies that the reader will have a similar, positive experience.

Bottom line : Specificity builds trust and overcomes objections before they even arise. Swap out vague phrases for precise details and numbers to make your content infinitely more persuasive.

Try it yourself—and stay tuned for Part 2

Inspired to give these tips a try? Share a sentence you've revised using these tips in the comments below.

And for even more guidance in crafting captivating content, sign up to receive the rest of the tips in this series.

In the next article, I’ll share five more writing tips to help you improve readability and add clarity and authority. Stay tuned!

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Should you stop writing checks? Banks wish you would to thwart fraud

A big banking industry group, not surprisingly perhaps, suggests that consumers stop writing paper checks to stamp out the proliferation of check washing scams. Stop writing checks?

It's seriously one of the suggestions now that check fraud has exploded by 385% since the pandemic, according to U.S. Treasury Department data. Banks are forced to spend more to beef up their technology to prevent criminal check fraud, and, even then, plenty of fake checks continue to get cashed.

It's a massive headache for bankers, the U.S. Postal Service, and consumers who become victims of crooks and loopholes in a regulatory system that can work against them.

The stolen check can be washed clean of the original ink with household chemicals. Criminals may replace the "payee" and often the dollar amount to fuel the fraud. And fraudsters can copy and print multiple washed checks for future use or to sell to other criminals.

The $150 check you wrote could end up being written by crooks for several hundred dollars or more. If the fraud isn't spotted, the money ends up with the criminals. But your bill won't get paid. Your signature remains in place so it looks like you wrote the check.

Worse yet, you're going to have to undergo an investigation with the bank to get your money back. Consumers report waiting months or even years to get thousands of dollars back. Some do not get any money back.

We never had to go to such lengths to analyze if we should or shouldn't write a check. But high-profile cases — such as a crackdown on a massive mail fraud ring that targeted high-end neighborhoods in Oakland County to steal checks, credit cards and personal information from mailboxes from late 2018 through at least March 2019 — make it clear that check writing cannot be treated casually.

During tax season, many people will be writing checks to pay their income taxes. Yet, should you really do that? Might be better to pay taxes through an electronic funds withdrawal and have money taken out your bank account.

Consumer protections aren't strong

A Los Angeles consumer had written a $21,000 check to pay his federal taxes in 2021, sent the check by mail, and later discovered that the check was stolen, signed by someone else and deposited into a different account at another bank, not the U.S. Treasury, according to a KCAL-TV news report last April.

But the consumer's bank would not credit his account until the bank that accepted the fake check reimbursed the victim's bank. It took two years for the consumer to get several thousand dollars back.

Checks are largely governed by state law through the Uniform Commercial Code, which gives consumers up to a year to inform their bank of a fraudulent or altered check.

But — and pay attention here — banks can and do shorten the time for notification as part of their account agreements, according to Carla Sanchez-Adams, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

Many banks, she said, limit the time to somewhere between 14 days and 30 days. Check your account agreement.

"It's incredibly difficult," Sanchez-Adams said.

More: It’s hard to reverse scams on peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle

Sometimes, it's hard to spot the fraud. Criminals do not always change the amount on the check. You might see that an $800 check was cashed to cover your rent and not realize that someone else cashed that check.

In testimony before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in February, Sanchez-Adams said one consumer told the National Consumer Law Center that "he had no idea his check had been altered until his landlord — a family friend — eventually told him months later that he had not received the rent."

Many consumers have not received paper copies of their checks for years. And more changes are ahead for many.

Bank of America, for example, told customers that starting May 17, its statements sent in the mail will no longer include images of canceled checks. Such images can be viewed online, and copies are available by request for free.

Sanchez-Adams said she personally doesn't use checks, unless she's able to hand them to someone, given the efforts by criminal activity. She treats a check like cash. "Would you send cash in the mail?" she asks.

How check fraud works today

When it comes to check fraud, criminals often fish out mail from blue U.S. postal boxes, rob carriers at gunpoint, and even try to bribe postal workers to get their hands on master keys that can be sold on the dark web for thousands of dollars and later used to open collection boxes.

Sure, crooks will steal cash or gift cards that people send in the mail, too. But they can steal even more money by getting their hands on paper checks.

Some stolen checks end up being sold online to other crooks. Many times, people can be recruited by criminals to cash the phony checks for them, often using fake IDs, or encouraged to open accounts that can be used to cash altered checks.

Criminals also aim to steal "personal checks, business checks, tax refund checks, and checks related to government assistance programs, such as Social Security payments and unemployment benefits," according to a 2023 alert by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

The alert noted: "Business checks may be more valuable because business accounts are often well-funded and it may take longer for the victim to notice the fraud."

Consumers reported losing $209 million in 2023 to fraud involving checks, which is close to the $210 million reported lost to fraud involving payment apps, according to data from the latest Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. The network is managed by the Federal Trade Commission but compiles consumer complaints from a variety of sources. Only 8,603 complaints involving check fraud were made to the various agencies. By contrast, 63,305 complaints were made involving payment apps.

But the losses are far deeper than those reports. The Treasury Department announced in February that it had recovered more than $375 million after implementing enhanced fraud detection using artificial intelligence at the beginning of fiscal year 2023.

More: Phony postage stamp discounts are scamming online buyers: What to know

Who writes checks anymore?

Many people already are paying their bills online, using direct pay, or using mobile apps, not writing checks. Even so, nearly 13 million checks are still being written each day, according to banking industry data.

"There's no way to stop check fraud without stopping checks at some point," said Paul Benda, executive vice president of risk, fraud and cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association at a banking industry conference in Washington, D.C., on March 20.

He called check fraud "a pain point for the industry."

In March, the American Bankers Association and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service joined forces in an educational campaign to combat the "rapid rise in check fraud."

Pandemic 'turbocharged' financial crimes

But why now? Check fraud isn't new. Street gangs ramped up some white collar crimes, such as check fraud and credit card fraud, more than 25 years ago, thanks to home computers and other technology. So why the dramatic uptick since the pandemic?

"If you look in general, it seems like the pandemic really turbocharged fraud," Benda told me in a phone interview. "We can't necessarily say why."

He pointed to the success that crooks had making fraudulent claims for generous unemployment insurance benefits during the pandemic. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimated that fraud accounted for anywhere from 11% to 15% of the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid nationwide during the pandemic. The dollars lost, according to the GAO report issued in September 2023, were likely "between $100 billion and $135 billion."

"I think there were a lot of first-time fraudsters," Benda said, "that were able to file a claim and didn't get caught."

It seems like, he said, criminal gangs have "industrialized fraud."

Checks, he said, aren't a form of payment that banks really like, Benda said. "Electronic payments are faster and more secure."

How do you protect yourself from check washing scams

Many banks, Benda said, are encouraging customers to stop using checks and move more toward electronic payments. Banks have hired more staff, he said, to review checks on the same day they come in to look for altered checks. Tellers are trained to look for phony checks and fake IDs. But it's a constant battle and costly proposition.

If you're still using checks, you're encouraged to do such things as use a gel pen or pens with indelible black ink so it is more difficult for a criminal to wash your checks. Other tips include:

• Don't mail a bill with a check from a mailbox. If possible, instead go inside the post office to drop off a bill. Never leave mail in your own mailbox overnight.
• Call to make sure the check was received by a business, charity or family member. Contact the bank immediately if you spot a problem.
• Pay attention to who cashes the check. Some scammers don't change the amount on the check but will change the payee.
• Don’t write your Social Security number, credit card information, driver’s license number or phone number on checks.
• Report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint to the Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455.
• Consumers are asked to report crimes or call 911 when they suspect that someone might be trying to rob a mail carrier.

How Postal Service is cracking down on crimes

In May 2023, the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched the Project Safe Deliver y campaign to reduce mail theft and better protect postal employees.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service now is offering rewards of up to $150,000 now, up from $50,000 in the past, for information leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those rob letter carriers.

Individuals who are convicted of mail theft can face up to five years in prison, possession of postal keys up to 10 years in prison and those who rob letter carriers can face up to 25 years in prison, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

In the Oakland County mail theft and identity theft case, four men were sentenced — Deavon Allen, Cole Patrick Castelow, Malik Frazier and Ronald Reese — by U.S. District Judge Terrence Berg in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in 2023 and 2024. Sentences were: Castelow, 72 months in prison; Frazier, 51 months; Allen, 27 months, and Reese, 18 months. Restitution was ordered, joint and several with the co-defendants in the case, in the total amount of $141,419.21.

Michael Martel, postal inspector and public information officer for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said much is being done to frustrate criminals by making it harder for them to gain access to the mail in traditional mailboxes.

So far, the Postal Service has replaced more than 15,000 blue boxes in key areas with a new high-security blue collection box. The outside is similar but the inside has enhanced security features. The post office also has already replaced 28,000 antiquated arrow locks with electronic mechanisms that can better ensure the safety of the mail after a robbery. The key alone, Martel said, won't give someone access to the mail in these cases.

Martel said criminal groups "are increasingly organized. We're seeing multiple robberies committed by the same parties."

More: Fraud and scams cost consumers a record $10 billion in 2023, according to FTC

Martel said the goal of the Postal Service is to make the mail stream safe, not necessarily discouraging consumers from using checks. "We always advise customers to never send cash," he said.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor:  [email protected] . Follow her on X (Twitter)  @ tompor .