Assessment/Entry Essay - 'Where I see myself in 5 years time' - HELP!?

Question

I am due to go to a Diagnostic Day for a course in College, which basically screens and assesses you to see if you are right for the course. It is very important to me and I want to get it right, but I just don't don't know how to put that topic into an essay! How to write it and where to start? Don't you normally need facts and quotes to back it up?

Also, should I add any of my past to it? Big myself up? I know where I want to be and what I want to be doing but I am struggling to put it in Essay form.

I am a Mature student and this course is a one year access to Higher Education course (if I pass I can apply for University).

Any help would be appreciated xx

Answer 1

It's really not necessary to use quotes in an essay. To get started I suggest that you brainstorm or write an outline with key words or phrases of your future plans. A brainstorm of ideas or an outline are ways to organize your thoughts as to what your plans are for the near future.

About adding something from your past, it's a good idea for your opening paragraph if you know how to link some of your past or present experiences with how you'd like to view yourself in the next five years. In fact, if you can summarize a past experience that may help you to achieve your future goals, that would make a great topic sentence.

When writing an essay it is very important that you state your topic in that first paragraph. From there, you develop the rest of the essay in two or three more detailed paragraphs. Finally, don't forget to synthesize or round it up in the last paragraph so as to give a sense of closure.

The basic parts of an essay are: 1. An introductory paragraph with a topic sentence or main idea. 2. The body, which is where you develop your topic with details and supporting sentences. 3. The conclusion: This may be a summary or even a very personal opinion that will serve to give a sense of closing.