Lesson Four: Essay Clichés 

In everyday language, clichés are simply common expressions that make it easy to get one’s point across. For example, “He really put his foot in his mouth” is a convenient way to make the point that “He said something that he should now regret saying.”

What is acceptable in spoken language, however, often sounds quite bad in writing. Good writing must be original: Always aim to state your ideas in engaging language and from a fresh perspective.

In addition to the general clichés of the English language, you have to watch out for those that are more specific to the application essay. The challenge here is that these themes have become clichés precisely because they are valuable and significant, so you do not want to ignore them entirely. You simply have to find fresh ways to convey hackneyed ideas. The best advice is to be as specific and personal as possible, thereby emphasizing your uniqueness. The following is a list of some of the most egregious clichés, within the context of a bland statement:

• As I finished the race, I realized I had learned the value of hard work and appreciated the fact that I could accomplish anything if I set my mind to it.
  

• Working in this atmosphere made me appreciate the value of diversity.
  
• With each member contributing something valuable to our purpose, I soon recognized the importance of teamwork.
  

• As the young child embraced me in gratitude, I discovered the true value of making a difference in people’s lives.
  

• That summer in New York truly broadened my horizons.

There is no way to reword the above sentences to make them significantly stronger. The problem lies in the very approach their writers have taken. A reliance on clichés is usually indicative of superficial ideas and telling instead of showing. The only way to improve upon the above sentiments would be to enrich them with concrete details and add depth using a more personal perspective.

Move on to Lesson Five: Introductions and Conclusions