Search results
Here's how to write a compelling sports essay that will make you stand out. Know the Cliches to Avoid. The first step is to recognize the overused cliches that make admissions officers roll their eyes when they see them. Some of the most common ones include: Learning about leadership/teamwork - Almost every sports essay mentions this one.
- What’s Covered
- What Makes A Sports Essay Cliche?
- How to Make Your Sports Essay Unique
- Great Examples of College Essays About Sports
- Where to Get Your College Essay Edited For Free, Or by An Expert
Sports essays are cliche when they follow a standard trajectory. Some of these trajectories include writing a story about: 1. An agonizing defeat 2. Forging bonds with teammates 3. Overcoming adversity 4. Overcoming an injury 5. Refusing to quit 6. Victory during a big game Because sports essays have very similar themes and “lessons learned,” it ca...
1. Focus on a specific moment or reflection.
The college essay is a way for students to humanize themselves to admissions officers. You do not feel human if you are describing yourself as just another player on the field! One important way to make your essay about you(not just about sports) is by focusing on a specific moment in time and inviting the reader to join you in that moment. Explain to the reader what it would be like to be sitting in that locker room as you questioned the values of the other players on your team. Ask your rea...
2. Use sports to point out broader themes in your life.
The main risk when writing about sports is neglecting to write about yourself. Before you get started, think about the main values that you want to express in your sports essay. Sports are simply your avenue for telling the reader what makes you unique. As a test, imagine if you were a pianist. Would you be able to talk about these same values? What if you were a writer? Or a chemist? Articulating your values is the end, and sports should simply be your means. Some values that you might want...
3. Turn a cliche storyline on its head.
There’s no getting around the fact that sports essays are often cliche. But there is a way to confront the cliche head-on. For example, lots of people write essays about the lessons they learned from an injury, victory, and so on, but fewer students explain how they are embracing those lessons. Perhaps you learned that competition is overwhelming for you and you prefer teamwork, so you switched from playing basketball to playing Dungeons & Dragons. Maybe, when your softball career ended abrup...
Example #1
Why it works: What’s especially powerful about this essay is that the author uses detailed imagery to convey a picture of what they’re experiencing, so much so that the reader is along for the ride. This works as a sports essay not only because of the language and sensory details, but also because the writer focuses on a specific moment in time, while at the same time exploring why Taekwondo is such an important part of their life. After the emotional image is created, the student finishes th...
Example #2
Why it works: In the beginning, you might think this is another cliche sports essay about overcoming adversity. But instead, it becomes a unique statement and coming-of-age tale that reads as a suspenseful narrative. The author connects their experience with martial arts to larger themes in their life but manages to do so without riffing off of tried-and-true themes. Through statements like “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I wa...
Example #3
Why it works: This essay is about lessons. While the author is a dancer, this narrative isn’t really about ballet, per se — it’s about the author’s personal growth. It is purposefully reflective as the student shows a nice character arc that begins with an eager young ballerina and ends with a reflection on their past. The primary strength of this essay is the honesty and authenticity that the student approaches it with. In the end, the student turns a cliche on its head as they embrace the i...
Have a draft of your college essay? We’re here to help you polish it. Students can participate in a free Peer Review, or they can sign up for a paid review by CollegeVine’s experts. Sign up for your free CollegeVine accounttoday to start improving your essay and your chances of acceptance!
Feb 7, 2024 · Sports have been plagued by issues such as discrimination, racism, and sexism. However, sports can also be a catalyst for positive social change. The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the role of athletes in promoting social justice and equality.
It's true that sports can be a common essay topic, but what makes your essay stand out is the unique perspective and personal insight you bring to it. Focus on a specific aspect or moment in your involvement with soccer that sparked personal growth or taught you a valuable lesson.
Writing about sports in your college essay can be a great idea if you approach it in a unique and personal way. While it's true that some sports-related essay topics are considered cliché, like sports injuries or victories, there's still a way to make yours stand out.
Feb 2, 2022 · This article will discuss “How to Write a Sociological Essay” with insider pro tips and give you a map that is tried and tested. An essay is written in three phases: a) preparing for the essay, b) writing the essay, and c) editing the essay.
People also ask
Are Sports Essays cliche?
Can you write a non-cliche college essay about sports?
Should you write about sports in your college essay?
How do you deal with a cliche in a sports essay?
Mar 23, 2023 · These Common App essay examples demonstrate a strong writing ability and answer the prompt in a way that shows admissions officers something unique about the student. Once you’ve read some examples and are ready to get started, read our step-by-step guide for how to write a strong Common App essay.
