VIS is authorized by the College Board to provide AP (Advanced Placement) courses. The following article is from the official College Board website.
VIS 為美國大學理事會（College Board）正式認證學校，經授權可開授AP課程。以下文章出自於美國大學理事會 College Board 官網，提供中文翻譯給學生家長參考。

Original source 原文出處: 
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/your-college-application/write-your-essay/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay

Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay
寫出好文，申請世界頂大

How to Write an Effective Essay 如何寫出好的留學申請申論文章

Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.

Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.
大學申論文章是申請大學過程中，一個展現個人特色的機會。許多海外頂尖大學，把申論文章當作直接了解學生、讓學生用自己的文字表達的重要方法。不妨把握機會，在成績這個數字以外，讓自己的申請更具個人色彩，在關鍵的時刻發揮決定性的作用。寫作時請把握以下訣竅：

Tips for Essay Writing 申論文章寫作技巧

A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.
典型的申請大學申論文章，或稱為個人表述文章，長度大約在 400 至 600 字，要在這麼短的篇幅中表達自己，絕非易事。這樣重要的環節，千萬不要急就章或是拖到最後一刻。請將它視為申請過程中的關鍵事項，遵照以下訣竅，寫出有力的好文，讓它在申請世界頂大過程中為你加分。
 

1. Start Early. 儘早開始

Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.
You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.

不需要每天寫它，但要預留修改與編輯的時間。你可能會發現自己想換個主題或是想到更好的架構。不管哪種狀況，愈早開工愈好。
很少人在壓力下還能寫出好文，請儘早開始，在交件日前幾週就把初稿完成。多數留學顧問都會建議在十二年級的前一個暑假就開始寫。給自己充裕的時間，才能想到最適合寫的重點、打造最棒的文章。

 

2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions. 充分了解提示與說明

Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.
在你開始寫作前，請花點時間了解學校想要你談的是什麼。千萬別略過說明，交出不合基本要求、主題不符的文章。看清楚提示、斟酌字數，了解每所學校獨特的需求。

 

3. Create a Strong Opener. 開頭要有力

Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.
Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.

學生對申論文章最常見的困擾、就是不知道要怎麼寫開頭。寫作過程充滿挑戰性，而其中最難的莫過於文章開頭的用字。

最好的做法就是多花點時間思考文章該如何破題，文章開頭等於是幫整篇文章架設舞台。第一段就能決定能否引起讀者關注，也能立刻讓你的文章更顯獨特、和其他申請者不同。

 

4. Stay on Topic.  不要離題

One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.
A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.
不離題也是寫作過程中的要點之一。如果你一次申請超過十所學校，要寫的文章太多，很容易會偏離主題。

學生最常犯的錯誤，就是想要把某一篇申請文章套用在別所大學申請上。或許會省時，不用重新寫，但是會帶來嚴重後果。最後你會寫出一篇太籠統、沒重點、讓讀者困惑的文章。請記住，每申請一所學校就寫一篇新文章，不管要花多久時間都要重新寫。

 

5. Think About Your Response. 預先思考你的回應

Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.

如果你對文章的主題有熱情，就別先預設申請考官會想看到怎樣的文章，這樣寫起來會比較輕鬆 (也會更好讀)。例如，如果你所有朋友都在寫新冠病毒，那你就更不該寫這題目，除非你有非講不可、深刻動人的親身體驗。不管你選什麼主題，千萬不要套用老套回應，要有創意。

 

6. Focus on You. 主角是你

Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.

申論文章的提示，通常會給你很大的自由度，但學校這方其實會希望你的主角是自己（只要不是過於私密的主題）。入學申請官表示，好論文可以讓學校更認識申請學生，這個層面的理解是他們從其它申請資料裡看不出來的。

 

7. Stay True to Your Voice. 用自己的表達方式

Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.

用你平常的字彙、避免平常你不會用的花俏修辭。想像你對著整個班級、都是不認識的同學，讀著這篇文章。語調要有信心，避免會有損自信的字眼。

 

8. Be Specific and Factual. 切中主題、真切表達

Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.

強調真實的經驗，在文章裡你有足夠的空間闡述你的某項成就，但是要忍住別誇大不實，入學申請官每年都讀上千篇文章，很容易就找到破綻。

 

9. Edit and Proofread. 改稿校對

When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.

寫完最終稿，記得用電腦的拼字檢查功能再更正一次錯誤。把文章放個幾天再回來讀，更能找到錯字或是文法問題。最後再請老師、爸媽或是大學學長姐(最好是讀英文系或是傳播學系的人) 幫你快速看一次。最後的最後，記得檢查字數是否合規。

 

 

Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.
留學申請時，寫申論文的過程可能很折磨。但是寫出一篇架構完整的好文，在關鍵的時刻發揮決定性的作用，為你加分。請把握以上訣竅，申請每所學校都要寫出令人印象深刻的好文。

Original source 原文出處:  
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/your-college-application/write-your-essay/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay
 

If you would like to discuss college options further, please make an appointment with our college counselor Ms. Rosalyn Shih ( collegecounseling@vis.tp.edu.tw) to find out more.

如果VIS同學們想進一步討論如何選擇海外的大學，請與VIS的升學顧問 Miss Rosalyn Shih ( collegecounseling@vis.tp.edu.tw ) 預約晤談以了解更多資訊。