When writing essays that make an argument based on your personal merits, such as admission essays, it only makes sense to focus on our positive traits.  After all, demonstrating an unusual fixation for your negative characteristics is both unhealthy and unlikely to impress anyone in a good way.

However, most anyone who reviews admission essays and similar documents will always look for balance.  Writing nothing but glowing reviews of yourself is not only tacky – it makes you look like you’re overcompensating for hidden flaws.  As such, including some negative characteristics in there will keep your essay grounded.

Here’s the rub, though.  If you flat out state a negative characteristic (such as “I can be stubborn” or “I’m not a morning person”), it becomes all too easy to judge you based on them alone.  To successfully communicate them while not harming your own goals, you’ll need to dress them up with a little flavor.

1. Present them as a source of motivation

Negative characteristics are usually best presented as a source of motivation.  Instead of being resigned to them, you paint the traits as a catalyst for even greater achievements.

2. Present them as an eye-opener

If you experienced failure or a struggle, you can talk about them in the context of being eye-opening episodes that have made you a better person.  Remember to stay mellow and grounded – some overzealous writers have gone overboard using this, turning their papers into a veritable soap opera.

3. Infuse them with humor

Nothing creates a positive atmosphere as much as a good disposition.  If you can integrate some humor while presenting your weaknesses, it can soften their overall impact, apart from painting you as a person who can handle difficulties without being harshly affected by it.

Writing Essays Well

Of course, you can always do without the obligatory “weaknesses” portion by foregoing the use of a good proofreading software for English writers.  Send your essay in without the benefit of a thorough check and let your poor grammar shine as your worst characteristic.

Achieving Success With Your Graduate Admission Essay

Writing a graduate admission essay is a daunting exercise you must complete to get admission to your favorite school or college. … Make a list of things you have achieved that can be added to the college admission essay. Confidence is the key. Always try to establish a balance between your positive and negative experiences by speaking in a neutral but serious tone. If you have got over the negative experience and come out of if a winner, mention it with confidence. …

MFA Blog: New Mailbag, Friday November 13, 2009

“Mail them to Graduate and International Admissions (GIAC) at P.O. Box 7608, Austin, TX 78713. Make sure your name is clearly identifiable and the program to which you are applying (WRITING–Major Code 6-93500).” ….. of the Clarion workshops, but from the sounds of it, you’re not exactly writing space opera so don’t fret, I’d say! I do agree that genre is always a thorny issue with MFA applications and toning down the bizarre shit might well work in your favour. …

Death at New Life – Thom Stark / Semper Reformanda

It seems an operational hazard of my posting on your site, which is why I offered not to post anymore – not because I’m running away and hiding. I just don’t want to get caught up in all the (sometimes) negative rhetoric. 12/13/2007 11:39: 00 AM. Blogger …… If you mean that we must learn to tone down the absolutist nature of our claims before we can make claims, I don’t believe that’s at all what Jesus meant,

Restructuring and Reculturing Schools to Provide

On the other hand, she tried to taper off her academic Spanish while talking to family members as well as toning down her “school girl” speech characteristics when talking with neighborhood friends. … And also we had to write an essay on a hero in English. I wrote about my mom and how she’s my role model and how she inspires me. In AP English, the class I’m in now, when you’re writing your essay they’ll say try to bring your personal experiences in cause that makes your .. …

“Narratives of suffering overcome”

Application essays are extremely important, and writing a boring one is an absolute kiss of death. If you’re applying to a liberal arts college like Vassar, you need to use your essay to make it clear to admissions people that you’re the kind of … You know, I know that the tone of this blog is supposed to be all nice and everything, but as someone who knows how little consideration your average university gives to physically disabled people, this pisses me right off. …

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