Personal essays can cover a wide range of topics and styles, such as:
No matter what order or sequence you choose, stay consistent. If you’re a new essayist, going out of order may confuse the reader, so keep things in order through your writing. More experienced writers and essayists regularly play around with narrative structure and time to keep things interesting for the reader.
A personal essay wants the essayist’s considered reflections, whether they relate or not. This fragmentary nature makes it ideal for writing about and during times of transition and confusion.
How do I write a personal essay?
You simply start writing. You write your way into it, letting one thing lead to another, never knowing where you are going or how you will end. Only by writing the words will you start to discover what it is you are writing about.
Some examples of personal essays include:
Lopate’s take: Didion, a native Californian, came to essay writing through journalism, and her meticulous reporting skills shine through everything she writes. While many essayists flee from the topical, she is attracted to it, drawing fascinating connections among various cultural phenomena of the day, from rock songs to California weather to the Manson Family murders. Regardless of the topic, we want to know what Didion has to say about it; after being bombarded by what all the half-wits are saying, we need to see what a sophisticated eye like Didion’s sees. There’s something poignant in her cool, incisive prose style (Hemingway was a major influence), particularly in her presentation of self — generally as small (a kind of little girl in the corner), timid, inarticulate, and not especially likable. Like Baldwin, Didion demonstrates an invaluable skill of the personal essayist: the ability to make herself a compelling character.
What is the personal essay?
The personal essay is the freest form of literature: this also makes it the hardest to define. Broadly speaking, it can be broken into two sections: narrative and opinion. It is an account of your experience. It is your thoughts on a subject. The best essayists are able to weave these sections together.
Write what you know is something we’ve all heard as writers. It speaks to orienting ourselves to our experiences, interests, and passions. This is where you find your unique voice. You might think your life is too boring and devoid of any noteworthy content. That’s where creativity comes into play. Sure, maybe everybody writes about family and relationships, but this is where you share your unique take on the topic. Maybe you make a new connection, or share an unexpected lesson. Remember, even in the most mundane moments, there’s a story.
In this class you’ll craft your own original personal essay. We’ll begin by identifying key components of the form and then delve into generative writing in and outside of class. We'll also read numerous examples by authors such as CJ Hauser, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Leslie Jamison. You’ll then hone and strengthen your essay through class workshops, and finally, you'll brainstorm possible expansions or revisions.
What Is a Personal Essay in Writing
Is there a universal truth you wish to convey with your essay? For example, you may want the reader to come away feeling as though they can do anything if they work hard and push through obstacles, or you may want to explore the impact that one person can make on another’s life.
[PDF] Elements of a Personal Essay
The personal essay is a great entry point into creative nonfiction, but it can also take complex forms: narrative, lyric, and more. The personal essay also allows us to explore the nature of truth and of the world through the lens of our own experience.
The Difference Between Memoir and Personal Essay
Do you have a burning story to tell—your own? Using creative non-fiction to tell our own stories and find our writing voices can be incredibly empowering. In this 8-week class, we’ll explore the personal essay as a way to tell these stories.
How to Write a Personal Essay: 6 Tips for Writing Personal Essays
Your main points may simply be the order of events, or they may be more specific facts that drive the details of your story. Choose the main points before you start writing. That said, if you’re writing a literary personal essay, you can always explore these main points through .
Definition and Examples of a Personal Essay
Before you start writing, know what your main points will be. Structure an outline that determines what each part of your essay structure will talk about. This will drive your writing.
7 Helpful Tips on How to Write A Memorable Personal Essay
Finish your essay with a memorable conclusion that calls back to the introduction. This should summarize what you have written about, bring closure for the reader and give you the chance to reflect on what the life event taught you. A good personal essay conclusion leaves a reader wanting more or encourage them to reconsider their worldview.