How to Craft Your Essay for the Doodle for Google Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts by reflecting on the four material buckets: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Consider what experiences have shaped your identity and aspirations. Reflect on family, culture, education, and significant life events.
• Achievements: List your notable accomplishments, focusing on measurable outcomes. Think about leadership roles, academic successes, or community involvement.
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek growth. What skills or knowledge do you lack that this scholarship can help you acquire?
• Personality: Highlight unique traits and values that define you. Consider moments that reveal your character and commitment to making a difference.

Outlining Your Essay

With your brainstorming complete, create a structured outline. Aim for a clear beginning, middle, and end.

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid scene or moment that captures the reader's attention. This could be a personal story that encapsulates your journey or a pivotal experience.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one of the four buckets. Use the STAR method to detail your achievements and challenges, emphasizing the actions you took and the results.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how your experiences have prepared you for future challenges and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and specific language. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying, “I have always wanted to help others,” provide a concrete example of a time you made a difference. This specificity will make your essay more compelling.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, take a step back and revise. Ensure each section answers the “So what?” question. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences connect to your future goals? This reflection will deepen the impact of your essay.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generalized statements that do not add value.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always attribute actions to yourself.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is key.
• Ensure clarity and coherence in your writing; each paragraph should flow logically to the next.