| Introduction.
Part I: Putting Yourself on Paper.
Chapter 1: Becoming More Than a Statistic: What the Essay Does for You.
Chapter 2: Exploring the Subject of the Essay — Yourself.
Chapter 3: Writing for the Tired, the Poor (The Admissions Office).
Chapter 4: Keeping It Legal.
Part II: Getting Your Head Ready for Writing.
Chapter 5: Writing as Process, Not Product.
Chapter 6: Storming Your Brain: Idea Gathering Techniques.
Chapter 7: Building a Structure to Support Your Ideas.
Chapter 8: Putting It All In Order: Creating an Outline.
Part III: Writing the Rough Draft.
Chapter 9: Showing, Not Telling Your Story.
Chapter 10: Constructing Good Paragraphs.
Chapter 11: Leading with Your Best Shot.
Chapter 12: Going Out with a Bang: The Conclusion.
Chapter 13: Overcoming Writer’s Block.
Part IV: I’d Like to Finish before Retirement Age: The Final Draft.
Chapter 14: Making a List and Checking It Twice: Grammar and Spelling.
Chapter 15: Smoothing the Rough Edges: Polishing the Essay.
Chapter 16: Leaving a Good Impression.
Chapter 17: Final Answers: The Last Word on Format.
Part V: Analyzing Questions from Real Applications.
Chapter 18: Composing Essays Starring You.
Chapter 19: Describing Significant Strangers and Friends: Essays About Other People.
Chapter 20: Responding to Essay Questions in the Subject Areas.
Chapter 21: Getting the Most Out of Short Answers.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 22: Ten Myths About the College Essay.
Chapter 23: Ten Great Essays to Inspire You.
Chapter 24: Ten Absolute Musts for College Essays.
Appendix: Personal Inventory.
Index.
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