Confessions of a Former Writing Hater by Dana

Confessions of a Former Writing Hater by Dana - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

I used to hate writing. It felt pointless, like a chore the education system imposed just to keep us busy. Every essay assignment filled me with dread, and I would stare at the prompt, imagining all the other things I could be doing to prepare for my future. Sure, I’d complete the assignments, but not without resentment—and it took ages because of how much I disliked the process.

That all changed thanks to my AP English Language and Composition teacher, Mr. Duffy.

I already knew him as my Latin teacher’s husband, so I was excited to finally have him as a teacher. My excitement faded quickly, though, when he assigned a 400-word essay on the first day of school. I was stunned. Who assigns an essay like that on the first day of school? I went home annoyed, imagining all the free time I’d lose to this “wasteful” writing task.

Then I read the prompt: “Use lyrics, musical elements, and music videos to explain in 400 words or less why you like your favorite song.”

It caught me off guard. I had never been asked to write about myself like this. At first, I thought the analysis required would make the task even more tedious. But as I started brainstorming, something unexpected happened: I was actually having fun.

I chose Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u,” which I considered to be my “Song of the Summer,” and breaking down the lyrics and music video turned into an enjoyable challenge. I found meaning in every detail, from the sarcastic tone of the lyrics to the imagery of a burning room representing rage. I even gave small elements symbolic importance, like the singer’s long hair symbolizing growth, something I would’ve laughed at before. I ended up writing 392 words, stopping only because of the word limit.

When Mr. Duffy praised the essay, saying I had “flashes of brilliance” in my analysis, it was a turning point for me. For the first time, I felt like my writing mattered. That feedback gave me confidence, not just in his class but in every piece of writing I tackled afterward.

Through this one assignment, I learned that writing is what you make it. If you approach it with curiosity and openness, it can be creative, meaningful, and even enjoyable. That shift in mindset didn’t just help me in his class—it helped me craft essays that eventually got me into college. Mr. Duffy didn’t just teach me how to write better; he taught me how to see writing as a tool for discovery and self-expression.