Preface
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?
How This Book Is Different
Introduction
WHAT’S THE ESSAY GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Chapter 1
WHERE IT ALL BEGINS: Identifying Your Student Type
Chapter 2
BRAINSTORM FOR IT: The Questionnaire
Chapter 3
GET IT DOWN ON PAPER: The Freewrite Exercise
Chapter 4
MAKE IT COUNT: Choosing the Best Prompt for You
Chapter 5
ORGANIZE IT: The Outline
Chapter 6
WHEN TO USE “IT’S”: The Skinny on Contractions
Chapter 7
TIDY IT UP: The Draft
Chapter 8
MAKE IT UNIQUE: Your Version of the Most Common Long Essays
The Sports Essay
The Community Service Essay
The Outdoor Adventure Essay
The International Travel Essay
Chapter 9
WATCH IT: Red-Flag Topics and How to Tackle Them
The Pity Essay
The Sexism Essay
The Loner Essay
The “Mea Culpa” Essay
The “Taking a Stance” Essay
Chapter 10
DON’T PUSH IT: How to Take a Moderate Risk
Chapter 11
WRAP IT UP: A Few Final Pointers
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INDEX