What Is a Personal Essay?

A personal essay is a piece of writing that serves to describe an important lesson gathered
from a writer’s life experiences. The essay often describes a significant event from a first-person
perspective, and can be done in various writing styles, like a formal essay or as creative
nonfiction. Personal essays usually have a conversational tone that creates a connection with the
reader. This type of essay can be inspiring and uplifting, or it can serve as a warning to others to
avoid the author’s mistakes.
Personal essay topics cover a variety of different subject matters. They could be about the
first time you failed a test in high school, an estranged family member, a moral turning point
encountered during adolescence, a war experience overseas, a survival of abuse, or a professor
that changed the way you feel about the world. Any moment in your life that sparked growth or
changed you in some way can be written about in a personal essay and enriched by your personal
opinion.

How to Structure a Personal Essay

A good personal essay should contain an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. The standard length is about five paragraphs, but personal essays can be longer or
shorter, as long as they contain all three basic sections:
● Introduction: The first sentences of your essay should include a hook that captures the
reader’s attention. Provide a personal statement that you plan on proving in the body of
your essay, and try to form a unique connection with your audience.
● Body: The body of your essay is the meat of your story that should include your main
points and personal evidence supporting the thesis statement of your narrative essay. This
is where you, as a writer, share how your personal experiences shaped your point of view,
and reflect on the knowledge gleaned.
● Conclusion: Your conclusion should restate your thesis and contain the moral of your
story or a revelation of a deeper truth. Review why this essay matters and sum up the
things you want the reader to take away from this particular piece.