Measure Me by Kiva

Measure Me by Kiva - June 2015 Scholarship Essay

People say the best way to judge someone is by their actions. Sometimes, though, the best way to get to know a person is with their words. When you read someone’s writing, you can begin to learn their mind. You learn what they think, how they develop their thoughts and ideas, how organized they are, how creative they can be, and so much more. An essay really gives you a clear sense of a person.

Writing essays is never something that I have enjoyed. Oh, I am capable of it. I can learn grammar and writing rules, and can master the art of essay writing, but it always seemed like a chore to me. I enjoyed writing fiction and poetry- that interested me. On the other hand, essays were just plain boring. However, the more I have applied for scholarships, the more I realize how important your essays are. It is how people get to know you- through your writing. Your essays contain your words, thoughts, and ideas. Therefore, they contain a part of you, and of your mind. A test cannot properly assess you. Yes, it can measure your knowledge of something, but it cannot tell you anything other than how well you know the subject the test covers. An essay, on the other hand, is personal. It is unique to each person; an essay’s content cannot be predicted. There may be a prompt, but there is no right or wrong answer to that prompt, because each essay represents the thoughts of an individual.

An essay differs from person to person. Some may find they have similar ideas, while others may find themselves on the complete opposite end of the spectrum of opinions. Even when writing a research essay, there is room for creativity. You can develop your essay in any way you see fit. If you have an opinion, it is yours to defend. If you have an idea, it is yours to explain. If you have an experience, it is yours to describe. Your essay is yours, and it speaks volumes about yourself. How organized it your essay? Perhaps that is an indication of how organized you are. How inventive and original is your essay? It shows your creativity. How well written is your essay, how eloquent? It conveys your speech, your eloquence, your unique sound. When you read several books by an author, you begin to learn how that author sounds. You learn what that author thinks is good, bad, or funny. You can almost imagine having a conversation with him. His words become familiar to you, and you feel as if you know him. An essay is the same.

Your essay is almost as crucial as a first impression. It is a glimpse of who you are. If your essay comes from you, then surely it is a part of you. An essay is, in my opinion, the best form of assessment. It is the quickest way to show someone who you are, what you believe, how you think. It measures so much more than your basic knowledge. It measures you.