How to Choose a Winning Writing Sample
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you’ll submit a writing sample your Admissions Counselor will love reading.
Many colleges require a writing sample as part of the application process. However, like King’s, some colleges give students the opportunity to choose the essay to submit. Does anyone else feel a little stumped when given the freedom to choose their college essay?
The freedom to choose your writing sample allows you to play to your strengths and submit a paper that helps your Admissions Counselor learn more about you. Here are a few guidelines to help you write or choose a stellar writing sample:
- Your content should have a clear purpose. If you submit a persuasive essay, take a position and persuade rather than simply inform. Is a descriptive personal narrative more your style? That’s great! Just be sure to tell a personal story with detailed description. Remember to cite words/ideas that are not your own! Don’t plagiarize. If you’re not sure how to cite, talk to a teacher or professor to help you sharpen your skills.
- Structure your paper to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Keep your format—things like margin width, line spacing, quote citation—uniform. Consistency is key!
- I will not belabor this point, but please (please!) proofread. You can avoid grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors if you just edit your work. Ask a family member or friend to be a second pair of eyes in proofreading!
- We want your unique voice to shine in your writing sample, but remember to keep your style and tone consistent. For example, descriptive essays are specific and tangible, argumentative essays are coherent, and there is no unnecessary repetition.
- Be creative. Find a fresh and inviting way to tackle a subject! Personal narratives shouldn’t be soap-box rants (it’s not your diary) or passionless commentary (it’s not a log of what you ate for breakfast). Similarly, argumentation is not simply a lecture, summary of others’ opinions, or a series of “this is good” or “this is bad.” Show authentic passion, be creative in your illustrations, and research your topic—just make sure, again, to cite your sources.
Writing samples are important because it reveals to the Admissions team another layer of who you are. You’re not simply a name on our computer screens—allow your vibrancy to shine bright through your submitted paper or essay. You want to submit your best work. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you’ll write or choose a writing sample we’ll love reading. Happy editing/writing!
To submit a writing sample as part of an application to The King’s College, here’s what we’re looking for:
- An academic-style paper that you’ve written for class that includes citations
- Approximately 1000-2000 words
- Please avoid submitting blog posts, journal entries, stream-of-consciousness, and creative writing pieces. Show us your best work!
- Email your writing sample to us at admissionsoffice@tkc.edu.
// Photo by Christin Hume //