How to Craft Your Essay for the Dorothy W. Franklin GED Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Reflect on your personal journey, including any challenges you faced in obtaining your GED. Consider what experiences shaped your educational goals.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Include specific metrics or outcomes, such as grades, projects, or leadership roles.
• The Gap: Identify what you lack in your current educational journey and explain how the scholarship will bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational and career aspirations.
• Personality: Highlight unique aspects of your personality that showcase your values and motivations. Use anecdotes to illustrate your character.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create a structured outline. Start with an engaging introduction that draws the reader in. Follow with body paragraphs that cover each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus and logical flow. Conclude by summarizing your goals and reiterating how the scholarship will aid your educational journey.

Drafting Voice and Style

Your essay should be written in an active voice, focusing on your personal experiences and insights. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead, use specific examples and metrics to illustrate your points. Start with a concrete moment or story that captures your journey, then transition into your reflections and insights.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, take time to revise your essay. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What does your story reveal about you? How does it connect to your goals? Ensure that your essay conveys a sense of purpose and direction. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your message further.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When writing your essay, steer clear of common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or generic statements.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject is present.
• Refrain from including invented facts or vague claims about your passions.
• Ensure each paragraph has a clear focus and contributes to the overall narrative.