How to Craft Your Essay for the Smith Literary Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, gather material across four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, education, and any pivotal moments that have shaped your identity. Consider how these experiences have influenced your literary interests and goals.
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments, whether academic, artistic, or community-oriented. Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate your impact, such as awards, publications, or leadership roles.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you still seek to achieve or learn. Articulate how the scholarship will help bridge this gap, enhancing your educational journey and future contributions to the literary community.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values, interests, and motivations. Specificity in these details will help the committee connect with you as an individual.

Outline Your Essay

Begin drafting a structured outline that organizes your thoughts logically. A suggested structure might include:

1. Introduction: Open with a vivid scene or moment that encapsulates your passion for literature.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one of the four buckets, ensuring a clear connection to the scholarship’s goals.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and express your commitment to using the scholarship to make a meaningful impact in your field.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and clear, concise language. Avoid clichés and generalizations; instead, focus on specific experiences that illustrate your points. Make sure to engage the reader by reflecting on how your experiences have shaped your perspective and future aspirations. Remember to answer the “So what?” question in each section to highlight the significance of your experiences.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. Read your essay with fresh eyes, checking for clarity, coherence, and engagement. Ensure that each paragraph contributes to a unified narrative and addresses the scholarship's themes. Solicit feedback from trusted mentors or peers, and be open to constructive criticism.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following common mistakes:

• Starting with clichéd phrases or overly broad statements.
• Failing to provide specific examples or metrics to support your claims.
• Neglecting to connect your personal narrative to the scholarship’s objectives.
• Using passive voice or vague language that obscures your achievements.