Now it's your turn! You have thought a lot about what you believe and what you don't believe. Now it's time to write the big essay. In a 5 paragraph essay, write what you believe! Read on for some very helpful hints.

Remember the following as you write:

• Use details to draw the reader in. Be specific and avoid using abstract expressions and phrases such as “the best day of my life” or “I’d never known greater grief” to describe emotions of love or loss. Make the emotions real and immediate by noting specifics and details that draw the reader into your experience.
• Employ all the senses to convey your ideas to the reader: sight, sound, taste, touch, and hearing.
• Make sure that beyond all the idea development, your readers can summarize the MAIN IDEA that you BELIEVE. You should not have to hit the readers over the head with a summary statement such as “What I am trying to say…” or “What I really mean is…” In fact, such a closing is almost insulting or an indication that you fear you have danced around the belief without making it crystal clear. You must aim to leave the readers clear and satisfied—whether they agree with what you believe or not. Sometimes a brief echo of the opening is the most satisfying clincher to bring a personal essay full circle.