A Feminist Divorcees Reading List

A Feminist Divorcees Reading List There are a lot of great books out there about divorce, and a lot of great lists pointing you to them. But that’s not what I wanted to read during my separation and subsequent divorce (which took, all told, more than three years), and this is not going to be that kind of reading list. What I wanted instead were books that looked at love, relationships, and personal identity from as many different angles as I could find. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what I believed about any of that, or about myself anymore. Who are you when you’re leaving someone you swore to love, honor, and cherish? Regardless of the reasons for your divorce, or how long you were married, I hope you’ll find some inspiration, some comfort, some realtalk, and some fun in the below. Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl Strayed: This is my go-to book for tough times. The letters Strayed received as Dear Sugar tackle a huge range of interpersonal and individual problems, including infidelity, abuse, addiction, and just general NOPEness. Her ability to dig truth out of the messiness of life is astonishing; prepare for tears. And, pro-tip: Read all of them (in order or shuffle, whichever) the ones you think least apply to you can turn out to be the most useful. When Women Were Birds, Terry Tempest Williams: What does it mean to have a voice? What does it mean to not use it? Williams inherited her mother’s journals, and on an anniversary of her death she opened them up only to find them blank. All of them, three shelves worth. Her meditations on what it means to speak or not speak, to try and understand her mother’s story as well as her own life, will give you time and space to consider your own voice. Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay: This book has nothing to do with marriage, but a whole lot to do with relationships. Relationships with people, with media, with our own minds, with our friends, with our bodies, with the people we love, with the people who drive us crazy. In thinking about what it means to be a feminist and an imperfect one Gay also lets us think about what it means to keep trying, even when we know we’re probably not “doing it right.” Come As You Are, Emily Nagoski: I wish this book had existed for me pre-college, but it’s just as useful (if not more?) when you’re starting to think about sex with new, unknown, different people. Whether you find the idea terrifying or thrilling, Nagoski has advice you need to hear. The myriad different ways in which women experience their sexuality, the impact of trauma, the misunderstandings that happen between couples, the mental gymnastics women often put themselves through over the course of a sexual and emotional relationship, and the research on how understand yourself  are all in here. A House of My Own, Sandra Cisneros: In the introduction to this collection of essays, which spans 20 years of Cisneros’ life, she writes: “We tell a story to survive a memory in much the same way the oyster survives an invading grain of sand. The pearl is the story of our lives, even if most wouldn’t admit it.”  Prior to the divorce, you and your significant other were telling a story together. Now you’ll be telling separate (and in some instances, competing) stories. Watching Cisneros put together the story of her own life, collecting the speeches she gave and articles and essays she wrote and assembling them into a whole, is both a reminder that that there is room for change, growth, false starts, reflection, backtracks, big jumps forward all in the course of one life. While your mileage may vary, romance novels were my distraction, my brain-popcorn, and my salvation. I spent the three days after kicking out my ex ensconced on a friend’s couch, sobbing into a pillow and reading my way through Nora Roberts’ Circle Trilogy. There is real comfort to be found in reading about over-the-top, all-out, earth-shattering love; you don’t currently have it, and you might not ever, but sometimes it just helps to believe. In addition to that series, I recommend anything and everything written by: Alyssa Cole, Eloisa James, Beverly Jenkins, Sarah MacLean, Courtney Milan, and Nalini Singh.

John Stuart Mill On The Modern World - 1544 Words

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher born in 1724 and died in 1804. His writings on philosophy had influence on people all over the world. Centuries later, you can still use his work as a point of reference for issues facing the modern world. His writings were such that they brought a new dimension in religion, law and history. One of his more famous writings was in the form of a paper which includes the ‘Metaphysics of Morals’ which form the basis for this paper. His view of morals is that our desires and emotions are categorically imperative, meaning that they are conscience driven. His philosophy is closely related to the golden rule which states that one should always act in accordance to the outcome that will give him the best outcome, while the categorical imperative rule of Kant seems to suggest that actions must be universal for them to be classified as either moral or immoral (Kemerling, Garth). John Stuart Mill on the other hand was a British philosopher born in 1806 and died in 1873. He has also influenced many philosophical views that still influence different aspects in different disciplines like sociology, politics and economy. He is probably most known for his developments on the theory of utilitarianism which he uses to explain morality. Mill argues that the usefulness or moral worth of an action is determined by its utility (pleasure or satisfaction derived from the consequences of the action). Mill suggests that our emotions are a basis for makingShow MoreRelatedUtilitarian Perspective On Feminism1563 Words   |  7 PagesA Utilitarian Perspective on Women’s Rights John Stuart Mill’s discussion of the subjection of women leaves many scholars regarding him as one of the first feminist philosophers of his time. His work analyzes and questions the everyday perspectives on women’s rights, and challenges common societal notions. Many philosophers today look to his work for a variety of reasons; some applaud his work for being ahead of it’s time. Others dismiss it, claiming that it’s flawed due to personal attachment.Read More`` On Liberty `` By John Stuart Mill1458 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Stuart Mill was an English philosopher and a progressive in British politics during the 17th century. He lived during a time of political transformation in England caused by the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution brought social mobility to the middle and lower class, along with more political participation. With this newfound freedom, the people of England felt their liberties were being diminished because they had the ability to accomplish all the more but in some cases, couldRead MoreThe Subjection Of Women By John Stuart Mill1724 Words   |  7 PagesWritten by John Stuart Mill in 1860-1861, as the Victorian era took place in England, â€Å"The Subjection of Women† is a critical piece of analysis in regards to the status of women in society and their unequal relationship with the opposite sex. During Mill s lifetime, women were considered to be inferior to men by custom and laws, and therefore, they were expected to be submissive in nature. Deeply influenced by the ideas of his wife Harriet Taylor Mill, and John Stuart Mill’s own beliefs, â€Å"The SubjectionRead MoreThe Theories Of Pleasure And Ethics1544 Words   |  7 PagesHuman beings can be pleasured in many different ways such as mentally or sexually. Everyone has different but shared values of ethics and how happiness is needed to fuel morality itself. Some interesting gentlemen such, Friedrich Nietzsche and John Stuart Mills were important influential philosophers from the early 19th century. I’ll be comparing both philosophers’ theories of pleasure and ethics. Also, I’m going to focusing on the major similarities and differences they individually perceive on bothRead MoreHappiness And Happiness1736 Words   |  7 Pagesthe 3 time period will be addressed: Historical utilitarianism, Classical utilitarianism, and Modern utilitarianism. They are very similar but have important miniscule differences in them that separates them from each other but overall share the same concept of happiness. Key words:Utilitarianism, Modern utilitarianism, Classical Utilitarianism, Act/Rule utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism The Utilitarianism philosophy’s concept is mainly characterizedRead MoreIndividualism And Liberty By John Stuart Mill1196 Words   |  5 Pages In the essay, Liberty, written by John Stuart Mill, Mill states that individualism is the theory that â€Å"[o]ver himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign† (7). Before coming to this conclusion, Mill first explains that individualism and liberty were defined in ways far different from definitions now and that true individualism did not exist until later in history. It takes him several paragraphs and even chapters to finally suggest that a man, by himself, is free to do whatRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill on Classical Liberalism and Modern Liberalism2119 Words   |  9 PagesJohn Stuart Mill was a classical liberal thinker and believed, through the influence of his father, that man deserved to live a life that promoted the greatest amount of happiness with limited government intervention. Mill grew up with the belief that there was no God and therefore believed that man is born inherently good; government should be limited to allow individuals to make thei r own decisions from their inherently good instincts; economic freedom provided individuals with the protection ofRead MoreShould Slave Contracts be Legal?1278 Words   |  6 Pageswithout coercion are justified in a free society. The philosophies that best illustrate this moral idea are Robert Nozick’s theory of libertarianism and Fredrick Douglass’s theory of coerced slavery; and it is best negated by John Stuart Mill’s theory of utilitarianism and John Locke’s theory of classical libertarianism. Robert Nozick’s theory of libertarianism does specifically affirm non-coerced slave contracts, however Nozick best describes his reasoning in his work Anarchy State and Utopia, claimingRead MoreTo What Extent Does Modern Liberalism Depart from Classical Liberalism1624 Words   |  7 Pagesassumptions about the nature of humankind and society. Modern liberalism developed around 1870 as a result of both philosophical and practical changes, including mass industrialisation. Classical liberals argue that modern liberalism has broken the principles of doctrines central to liberal thought whilst modern liberals claim that they are simply adapting and building on classical liberalist ideas. This essay will discuss the extent to which modern liberalism departs from classical liberalisms by analysingRead MoreEssay Kant vs. Mill: Human Rights and Utilitarianism1729 Words   |  7 Pagesincluding philosophical theories in the past. This paper looks at the theories of two philosophers, Emmanuel Kant and John Stuart Mills, and how their teachings can be used to explain the sources of human rights. Kant’s moral philosophy is very direct in its justification of human rights, especially the ideals of moral autonomy and equality as applied to rational human beings. John Stuart Mills’ theory of utilitarianism also forms a solid basis for human rights, especially his belief that utility is the

Compare and Contrast of Charlie and Holden Essay - 2020 Words

Holden and Charlie In both the novels Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Chbosky’s the perks of being a wallflower, the main characters Holden Caulfield and Charlie are troubled teens. Although they were teenagers in different time periods they shared many similar teenage difficulties. Both novels portray a male protagonist growing up while struggling to find his identity, while loathing their lives. Thus both novels are of the coming of age genre. Both boys are socially awkward and are not able to integrate into society. In this case, Charlie is insulted by senior students of his high school, â€Å"God, that kid is such a fucking freak,† (Chbosky 145). Throughout the novel Holden and Charlie strive to become a part of society. While Charlie†¦show more content†¦This passage proves that Holden is dissatisfied with the boys at his school, he believes they are fake and he does not social well with them. Although Holden doesn’t want to interact much, when he does end up interacting with people, he usually gets the short end of the stick. For instance he invites Ackley, a boy he meets at Pency Prep, along to the movies, but Ackley wont return the favor by letting Holden sleep in his roommates bed. ‘â€Å"I’m not worried about it. Only, I’d hate like hell if Ely came in all of a sudden and found some guy-†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Salinger 49). Another instance is when Holden pays Sunny even though they don’t have sex, and ends up getting scammed. At a young age, Holden lost his younger brother, Allie. This had a huge traumatizing effect on him; Holden felt useless because he was unable to help his brother. Holden turns his emotions into anger; stating that he punched out all the windows in the garage. Another time Holden felt unable to help was when his peer, James Castle, was harassed and bullied, leading to James’s suicide. Holden says, â€Å"... and there was old James Castle laying right on the stone steps and all. He was dead, and his teeth, and blood, were all over the place, and nobody would even go near him. He had on this turtleneck sweater Id lent him†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Salinger 170). Holden feels that society hadShow MoreRelatedJasper Jones Study Guide6848 Words   |  28 PagesEdgar Cooke. Against this backdrop, thirteen year old Charlie Buktin’s reading is interrupted one suffocatingly hot night by a tapping on his window. It is Jasper Jones, the town’s mixed race ‘bad boy’ and all purpose scapegoat, who has come to ask for Charlie’s help. Together Charlie and Jasper attempt to unravel the mystery of what has happened to Laura Wishart, the Shire President’s missing daughter. In this coming of stage story, Charlie must question his conventional notions of what is rightRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesbehavior (OB). Show the value to O B of systematic study. Identify the major behavioral science disciplines that contribute to OB. Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB. Identify the challenges and opportunities managers have in applying OB concepts. Compare the three levels of analysis in this book’s OB model. MyManagementLab Access a host of interactive learning aids to help strengthen your understanding of the chapter concepts at www.mymanagementlab.com cott Nicholson sits alone in his parents’Read MoreInnovators Dna84615 Words   |  339 Pagesabilities in 117 pairs of identical and fraternal twins. Testing twins aged fifteen to twenty-two, they found that only about 30 percent of the performance of identical twins on a battery of ten creativity tests could be attributed to genetics.6 In contrast, roughly 80 percent to 85 percent of the twins’ performance on general intelligence (IQ) tests could be attributed to genetics.7 So general intelligence (at least the way scientists measure it) is basically a genetic endowment, but creativityRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesstudents can hone their analytical skills and also their persuasive skills—not selling products but selling their ideas—and defend them against critical scrutiny. This is great practice for the arena of business to come. NEW TO THIS EDITION In contrast to the early editions, which examined only notable mistakes, and based on your favorable comments about recent editions, I have again included some well-known successes. While mistakes provide valuable learning insights, we can also learn fromRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesHolland Vocational Preferences 220 The Schein Anchors 221 The Myers-Briggs Typologies 221 Performance Management and EEO 235 The Appraisal Process 236 Establish Performance Standards 236 Communicate Expectations 236 Measure Actual Performance 236 Compare Actual Performance with Standards 237 Discuss the Appraisal with the Employee 237 Initiate Corrective Action if Necessary 237 Appraisal Methods 237 Evaluating Absolute Standards 237 Critical Incident Appraisal 238 Checklist Appraisal 238 Graphic

Hurricane Katrina- a Natural Disaster Free Essays

Did you know that a hurricane is basically a small tornado? When warm air and cool air collide over a large water source such as a sea or ocean, a hurricane is made. Hurricane Katrina just happened to be the second largest hurricane in United States history. Being formed in the Caribbean Sea, it was at first a category 1 hurricane. We will write a custom essay sample on Hurricane Katrina- a Natural Disaster or any similar topic only for you Order Now It gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico, placing it’s rank at category 5. After hitting Louisiana at it’s highest peak, it decreased to category 3. Winds at 120 miles per hour and waves as tall as three stories high put together the most horrifying event ever known to Americans. During evacuation, many people fled to a safe area in search of shelter. Texas was one place that most people went to since they welcomed them more than any other state. However, after the victims got there, crime soared and Texans had no way to control or deal with so much crime. Because of this, it is very unlikely that Texans will welcome victims with such hospitality next time. There was, however, a dome built to house the Katrina victims: the Astrodome. Even though the Katrina victims had so many places to go, some were forced to stay behind because of hospitalization, they were abandoned by their caretakers, a lack of transportation, e. t. c. Out of all areas that were hit by Katrina, New Orleans suffered the most damage. 80% of the city was flooded. About 204,000 homes were either damaged permanently or temporarily and more than 800,000 citizens uprooted from New Orleans. The population shrunk to 75% of it’s original population. The number of homeless people doubled to 12,000 people within two years. Experts have estimated that it will take 8 to 11 years for New Orleans to fully recover from Katrina. Most people think of hurricane deaths as direct, but in reality, deaths caused by hurricanes are mainly indirect. Some examples of indirect deaths caused by Katrina are suicide, illness, murder, starvation, and dehydration. Mental illness and tragic suffering can lead many people to suicide. Lack of medical care can lead to infection or weakness, causing more deaths. Because of lack police force, crime rate and murder was at it’s peak. Since there was no way to access food overseas or through land, starvation and dehydration was very common. During and after Hurricane Katrina, the economy crashed. There was an estimated $200 billion worth of economic damage. Not only did the prices for gasoline, oil, and other chemicals increase, but there were shortages in many areas all over America. The failed economy in America also upset the economy internationally. India, Iran, Russia, and Cuba were just some other countries affected by the international terror. Oil was the part of the economy that was affected the most. There were about 580 reports of oil, petroleum, and other hazardous chemical spills. Only one of these spills alone would release about 1 million gallons of oil. Because of this, they had to reduce oil use greatly to have any remaining at all. Another reason is that 60% of oil imports traveling through the Gulf couldn’t get through. In consequence, the Department of Energy was forced to release 30 million barrels of emergency oil. Through all of these disappointments, there is some pleasure caused by Hurricane Katrina. It caused the construction of of innovation funds. In time, the areas hit by Katrina were renovated and the most beautiful that they’ve ever been. There was also an international hurricane awareness introduced by Katrina. Other countries and America now know to be more prepared for future hurricanes similar to Katrina. It also created the ability to redevelop land using more modern technologies. The land hit today has the most advanced technology in the country. Even though Katrina has had some good outcomes, it was overall horrid. It has affected America and the rest of the world in sad, cruel ways. Thousands of people died, others were relocated, supplies were minimized, and it took people years to recover from their experience. â€Å"not just a disaster of nature, but a breakdown of government. † The words of Barack Obama, current President of the United Stated. Seven years have passed by, and since 2005, America had made great progress. Besides the very few places and people that are still recovering, it is almost as if these horrid times have never existed. But even though damage has almost gone away completely, we will always remember the damage and hardships that were due to Hurricane Katrina: a natural monster. How to cite Hurricane Katrina- a Natural Disaster, Papers

Street Racing Essay Example For Students

Street Racing Essay The intricacies that are involved in turning a regular car into a Street Racer are many; and racers pour their souls into these magnificent machines. After seeing the Fast and the Furious many people have or wanted to become involved in street racing. They do not realize that this is a sport that takes knowledge, hard work, and nerve. Many of these racers have spent their lives under a car, learning the trade and improving upon it. As I have learned, this is not just a hobby; it is a way of life. This lifestyle does carry a price, racers face persecution from police and the general public. They have their cars impounded and defaced by those who reject racing. Having a racer is not illegal, but some of the things people do with them are. This is what the general public does not understand. The IRA* is a legal racing circuit that embraces Street Racers. We will write a custom essay on Street Racing specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now It gives the much-needed outlet to build magnificent cars and race them legally. Police are not the only worry on a racers mind. Death, fraud, and theft are the dark side of this moon. Some racers lack legitimate funds for equipment, and they resort to theft and fraud. This is where the misconceptions of the general public resonate. Yes there is crime; and laws are broken, but in everything there is a good and bad. So I warn anyone who pursues this life, enjoy the good, and be ready for the bad. What drives these racers to this lifestyle? They have an addiction to speed. The six-cylinder engine fuels this need for speed. Some may think that their two hundred thousand dollar car is fast, with these engine modifications will have an Accord blowing the doors off a Ferrari. The six-cylinder engine has six pistons pumping in six cylinders; hence, the name. Fuel is injected and burned; causing gas compression (picture a shaken soda bottle). This compression forces the pistons up and down that move your car. With compression in the cylinder, the Turbo comes into play. If two balloons were filled with air, one half and the other full, which would go faster? This is the job of the Turbo. Burning requires air, and when you introduce more air a fire is larger and hotter. It forces compressed air into the engine, letting it burn more air each time the pistons pump increasing boost**. There is a drawback to more air, more heat in the engine. Heat in the engine makes the air denser, causing a loss in compression. The Air Intake solves this problem. It sucks in cold air and pumps it into the engine, making the air less dense and letting the turbo do its job. As you drive, air rushes past your car. It hits the front of your car and the intake, and this cold air is forced to the engine. As a combination, the turbo and intake greatly improve power and speed. I said earlier that the engine burns fuel and air to cause compression. With a high-burning gas injected into the engine, you gain instant horsepower***. Nitrous Oxide is a gas that burns hotter and faster than regular fuel. When it is directly injected into the cylinder, it burns at a greater rate to the fuel, increasing speed greatly. Through a switch on the wheel, a driver engages a certain amount of NOS**** from a tank in his car. Through a nozzle, the driver decides how much gas he wants then the burst is pressed. With this high-powered gas, too much can literally burn so hot that it melts your engine. These drivers take the risk of wanting too much speed and blowing their engine apart. .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .postImageUrl , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:hover , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:visited , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:active { border:0!important; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:active , .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89 .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9acef1b302e319cf3d2a971036e88e89:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Business Environmental Laws And Ethics Essay A NOS boost can shake the welds off the engine and the driver out of the car; this is why its a blessing and a curse.If a driver wants to be safe in a high-speed car that has NOS and other modifications, they need protection. Also many gauges that tell them whats going on in their car. Safety is a major concern for these racers, so they make a number of safety enhancing modifications. Racing seats have shoulder straps that hold

organic compounds essays

organic compounds essays Carbohydrates are a major source for living organisms. Our mitochondria break down carbohydrates and use the chemical energy released from its bonds to live. Carbohydrates have four functions, which include energy metabolism, structural components, and cell-to-cell contacts and recognition. The basic unit or monomer for carbohydrate is monosaccharide or simple sugars. An example of monosaccharide would be glucose, fructose, and galactose. Carbohydrates are composed of thousands of monomers are called polysaccharides. Some examples of polysaccharides would be starch, cellulose, and glycogen. Lipids store energy, protect and cushion body organs, are structural components of membranes, and are chemical messengers of hormones. The monomers of lipids would be fatty acids. Types of fatty acids would be fats which include oils and animal fats, phospholipids which include the cell membrane structure, waxes which include water proof coating on leaves, fruits, feathers, skins of animals, and steroids, which include cholesterol, sex hormones, and bile acids. Proteins are very important. They provide structure. Organic catalysts are mostly made up of proteins. They are also used to store energy and act as chemical messengers to hormones and antibodies. Amino Acids are the monomers of proteins. The basic parts of an amino acid are an amine group, a carboxylic group, and a side chain and all attached to an alphas of fibrous proteins would be muscles, hair, cartilage, veins, and ducts. Globular proteins are proteins that transport oxygen and nutrients, fight invasions by foreign objects, help maintain homeostasis in the body, transport electrons and catalyze reaction that would take too long in their absence. The last organic compound is Nucleic Acids. Nucleic Acids are ...

The 13 Best College Essay Tips to Craft a Stellar Application

The 13 Best College Essay Tips to Craft a Stellar Application SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In many ways, the most labor-intensive part of your college application process is the essay. It’s not just about forwarding transcripts or entering a list of extracurricular activities- you have to craft something personal and compelling to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your resume. In this article, we’ll go over our 13 best tips for writing college essays. We’ll give tips for every step of the process including planning, writing, and editing your essay, as well as some quick and easy tips to boost any essays you already have written! With these college essay tips, you’ll be that much closer to the best admissionsessay ever! 5Tips for College Essay Planning Doing a good job planning makes the college essay process that much easier. These five college essay tips will help you get started and pave the way for a great final product. #1: Make a Plan of Attack for Your Essays The first thing you’ll need to do is identify all the essays you’ll need to write and their deadlines. It may help you to make a spreadsheet with the essay guidelines for each school, the word count, the prompts, the due date, and any special instructions. This will help you figure out: How many essays you’ll need to write, and how long those essays need to be. Whetheryou can reuse any essays: In general, you can reuse essays for prompts that are about your life, broadly similar in theme, and have a similar word count. You probably can’t reuse essays that are very specific to the college, like â€Å"Why This College† essays. Which essay you should write first: You’ll probably want to start first on the essay with the earliest application deadline. Alternatively, if you have plenty of time or the deadlines are close together, you could start with the longest essay (which will take the most time) or the essay that will be used for the most schools (like a Common Application essay). Do what you feel most comfortable with. With all this information gathered, you’ll be able to make a plan of attack for your essays and make sure nothing gets lost in the application shuffle. (In fact, I actually advise keeping track of all necessary components of your application in a spreadsheet for the same reason). #2: Start Early You want to start writing way before the deadline. If possible, give yourself at least two months, and maybe even more time if you can. This will make sure that you have enough time to adequately plan your essay, draft it, and edit it. And, of course, the more essays you have to write, the earlier you should start! Don't worry, you don't need to start this early. #3: Choose the Right Topic Choosing the right topic has two facets: first, choosing the right prompt (if there’s a choice) and second, choosing the right topic to write about for that prompt. The Right Prompt If there’s a choice of prompts, you may want to actually start by brainstorming the specific topic or thing in your life that you want to write about, and then reverse-engineer back to the most appropriate prompt. Most college essay prompts are pretty vague, so a broad range of topics and issues can be applied. You can also use prompts to help you brainstorm if you’re having a hard time figuring out what to write about. Think about the prompt that seems most appealing to you at first. What intrigues you about it? What do you think you could communicate about yourself through that question? Here’s some tailored guidance on some of the most common college essay prompt types. And if you’re writing a Common Application essay, here’s advice on how to choose the right Common App prompt for you. The Right Topic When you’re trying to choose something about your life to write about, consider the following: What are you excited to write about? A good college essay can be about a wide variety of topics, but it should show that you’re passionate about something. This could be anything from a hobby you have to your favorite book or even your most beloved stuffed animal, just so long as you can make it memorable and positive. Also, your writing will be a lot better if you are writing about something you care about and are interested in! Whatever you write about should be primarily about you. You should be the focal point. Even if you’re writing about someone who has influenced you, for example, you need to relate it back to yourself. What does this tell admission officers about you? What makes you stand out? This should be something that goes beyond what’s in the rest of your application. Your test scores and GPA are already there. What really shows something unique about you? Choose a topic you can be honest about. If you’re not being genuine, it will end up coming through in your writing. So don’t write about how much your membership in Youth Group meant to you if you only went to make your mom happy and you actually didn’t care that much. In general, you should avoid topics that are overly controversial, like things that are politically charged, doing things that are illegal, or anything involving graphic descriptions of any bodily function. So if you’re going to write about recovering from hip surgery, probably leave out the gory details of you being constipated and your oozy scars. Check out our 35 brainstorming techniques for college essays for even more help coming up with a topic! If you’re really stumped, consider asking your friends and family what they think could be good topics. They may help you figure out something memorable and interesting. But also, don’t feel like you have to write about a topic just because someone else thinks it would be great. You need to be genuinely interested in what you’re writing about to write an engaging essay! Be as passionate about your topic as this man is about table tennis. #4: Decide on Your Approach In general, there are two main approaches you might take to write your essay. It might primarily take a narrative format, or it might take a thematic format. In a narrative format, you’ll be relating a particular anecdote or experience and what it means to you. In a thematic format, you’ll present a particular theme- say, your love of parakeets or your secret talent for balancing books on your head- and expound on that theme in a descriptive way to reveal more about you and your personality. Sometimes your approach will be determined by the prompt or topic that you choose. For example, if a prompt says to relate a particular event or anecdote, you’ll probably use a narrative approach. By contrast, if you want to write about how your favorite book changed your life, that will probably be a thematic essay. #5: Write an Outline Doing a little bit of outlining before you put fingertips to keyboard to write your essay is always a good idea. You don’t necessarily need to make a super-detailed plan before you starting writing, but a general idea of where you are going and the points you want to make will be very helpful when you start drafting. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending a lot of time staring at a blank Word document. Yes, good, very detailed essay plan. 4 Top College Essay Writing Tips Here are four tips for writing college essays and making sure your workstands out in a good way: #6: Use Specific Details The more details you use, the more your writing will come alive. Try to use words that are vivid and specific, instead of ones that are vague like â€Å"nice,† â€Å"good,† and so on. This will really flesh out the scene and help the reader picture what’s going on. So take something like this: One of my biggest accomplishments in life was teaching my little brother to ride a bicycle. I encouraged him to keep going when he fell down. Now he’s a great cyclist! To something more like this: One of my biggest accomplishments in life was teaching my eight-year-old brother to ride the racy red bicycle he got for his birthday. He wanted to give up when he took a tumble and skidded across the sidewalk. But while I bandaged up his knees with Batman band-aids, I convinced him to give it another try. I told him to think about how he would be able to bike all around the neighborhood exploring. Now I smile whenever I see him zooming down our street- wearing his helmet, of course! See the difference? Wouldn’t you rather read the second one? Think how boring this angel statue would be if it was just kind of vaguely chiseled out of the rock. #7: Be Genuine It’s important to get beyond the superficial in your personal statement. You should be writing about something that’s genuinely important or significant to you, so try to get beyond the surface. Instead of writing vague platitudes about how you really like the violin but it’s hard, really get at the meat: did you ever think about quitting? What’s frustrated you the most? What really keeps you going? This means you shouldn’t try to write about things where it’s too painful to be honest. So if your parents got a divorce last year, it may be too raw to write about, which is perfectly fine. If, however, they got divorced when you were 5 and you can honestly reflect on how it changed your life, go for it. Of course, you want to be honest in a reasonable and appropriate way. If you overshare, it will make it seem like you have bad judgment or don’t understand social norms- not good impressions to give the admissions committee. So probably don’t write about how much you despise your mother and think she is evil since she had an affair with your school librarian. It’s fine to feel how you feel, but there are some things that are a little too charged to write in your college essay. #8: Be Unique, but Not Bizarre You definitely want your writing to set you apart- but you want it to set you apart in a good way. This means you want high-quality writing about unique experiences and qualities you bring to the table that aren’t covered elsewhere in your application. This does not mean you should get really avant-garde with your essay formatting. Don’t send in a piece of art instead of an essay, or make a video, or write a poem instead of an essay, unless those things are explicitly allowed. Similarly, while your essay doesn’t have to be 100% deadly serious in tone, you should be careful with humor. This doesn’t mean absolutely no jokes or tongue-in-cheek moments or that your essay should read like an 18th-century book of sermons. But if your essay relies too much on humor, you’ve got a lot riding on whether or not the person reading your essay â€Å"gets† it. They may well be annoyed. So deploy humor carefully and selectively. Sermons not necessary. #9: Avoid Cliches and Platitudes The more cliches you use in your writing, the more boring and less insightful your essay will be. Cliches are phrases that are so overused that they are essentially meaningless, and they are likely to make any reader roll their eyes. Phrases like â€Å"a dime a dozen,† â€Å"outside the box,† â€Å"cold as ice,† â€Å"dirt cheap,† â€Å"flash in the pan,† and so on are frequently deployed in conversation because they convey a common idea quickly. But you don’t want your essay to be common, so avoid cliches. Try to think about how you can communicate the same idea in a more specific and interesting way. Here’s a list of over 600 cliches. But for the most part, you won’t need a list; you’ll know something is a cliche because you will have heard it a million times already. You should also avoid platitudes or sweeping generalizations about life. These are statements that are so broad and far-reaching as to be both obvious and completely uninsightful. So avoid making statements like â€Å"And that’s how I learned that hard work pays off,† or â€Å"There’s no ‘I’ in team.† You may think you sound sage or wise, but the truth is, platitudes are going to sound immature and poorly-formed to the reader. Similarly, don’t say things that sound like they could come from an inspirational quote account on Instagram. (See, ahem, â€Å"You miss 100% of the shots you never take,† â€Å"Shoot for the moon,† and so on.) How do you avoid the platitude problem? Try to keep what you’re saying specific to you. So instead of saying â€Å"And that’s how I learned that hard work pays off,† try, â€Å"This experience helped me to realize that when I put concentrated effort into something that’s important to me, I can accomplish it even when there are roadblocks.† Keep the focus on what you can and will do in your own life. Avoid saying anything like this at all costs. 2 Tips for Editing Your College Essay You may think that once you’ve gotten a draft done that you’re good to go. Not so! Editing is one of the most important parts of writing the best college essay possible, and here are two essential college essay tips for editing. Tip #10: Ask for Help It’s always wise to get another set of eyes on your college essays. In fact, several sets of eyes is even better! Other people can help you make sure your essay flows, you have enough detail, that everything is relevant, and that you sound as engaging and interesting as you really are! They can also help you catch typos and other minor errors- although you’ll want to double and triple-check for that yourself before submitting. Here’s advice on how to ask for help with all parts of the college essay process, including editing. Tip #11: Be Prepared to Cut a Lot Brace yourself for cutting up your initial draft into tiny little ribbons and rearranging the remaining pieces Frankenstein-style. A first draft is really just a starting place to get your ideas down before you revamp the entire thing into a more streamlined, better organized, highly polished version. So you have to be ready to let go of pieces of your essay, no matter how much you love a particular turn of phrase or analogy. The ultimate goal is to turn the rough stone of your first draft into a polished and clear piece of writing- and that’s going to take a lot of chipping and sanding! Your finished essay is like this duck: many pieces arranged into an amazing whole. 2 Final Tips for College Essay Success Here are two quick but essential college essay tips you can implement easily. Tip #12: Have a Standout First Sentence One thing you can do to give any essay a boost is to make sure that your first sentence is attention-grabbing. If you can pique the interest of the admissions counselor right away, you’ll help keep their attention throughout your essay. Here’s our guide to getting that perfect first sentence! Tip #13: Triple-check for Typos and Errors The most important quick thing you can do for your essay is to make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. It will make your essay look sloppy and unfinished, and that’s the last thing you want! College admissions officers expect a polished product, and there’s nothing less polished than misspelled words and comma splices. Looking all polished up and mighty fine. 13 College Essay Tips: Key Takeaways for a Great College Essay To recap, here’s our 13 tips for the best college essay ever: College Essay Planning Tips: Create a plan of attack for all of your essays so you can keep track of everything. Start early- at least two months before the due date, if not more. Choose the right prompt and topic for you. Decide between a narrative or a thematic approach to the topic. Outline before you start writing! College Essay Writing Tips: Use vivid, specific details. Be genuine- get beyond the superficial. Be unique, but not bizarre. Avoid cliches and platitudes; they are boring and unimaginative. College Essay Editing Tips: Get other people to look at your essay. Be prepared to change, cut, and rearrange a lot! Final Tips for College Essays: Make sure your first sentence is stellar. Triple check for typos and grammatical errors! Imagine the essay you could write about the time you painted Mr. Lurker's claws. What’s Next? You’ve read our tips for success- now see 10 college essay mistakes to avoid. Looking for some college essay examples? See 133 essay examples and expert analysis here, along with 11 more places to find great college essay examples. Check out our complete guides to ApplyTexas essays, UC Personal Insight questions, and the Common Application essay! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: