write an essay on gratitude

Gratitude Essay

500 words essay on gratitude.

Gratitude is a beautiful way of enriching our lives. It refers to the feeling and attitude of appreciation and thankfulness for the good which we receive in life. It has been proven scientifically that when we express our gratefulness to other people, we feel happier and calmer. Thus, it allows goodness to enter our lives. For instance, when a stranger holds the door for you or greets you, it makes you feel happy. Thus, a gratitude essay will teach us how advantageous gratitude is.

Advantages of Gratitude

Gratitude can have a lot of advantages to our personal as well as social life. First of all, it strengthens our relationship with others. When you have a thankful feeling, it will strengthen the bond with the other party and enhance the trust factor and feeling of respect and love .

Moreover, it also makes us happy. When we express gratitude or receive it, we feel happy either way. As a result, people who have gratitude do not stress out a lot. Similarly, being full of gratitude makes society sensible.

In other words, people become considerate and never leave a chance to say thank you to others. Thus, it helps society to progress in the right direction with the right tools needed for the development of it.

Most importantly, gratitude reduces comparisons and promotes acknowledgement. When we become thankful, we do not compare ourselves to others. Thus, it helps us acknowledge our own achievements and blessings and remain content.

How to Practice Gratitude

There are a lot of ways through which we can practice gratitude. Some of the most effective ones include making a note of every good thing which happens to us every day. Moreover, also note the people behind it.

This will help you to return the favour at an appropriate time. Never forget to return this favour as they deserve it too. Moreover, always make sure to appreciate everything in life ranging from nature to animals .

We are lucky enough to have animals, green plants, fresh air and much more. Thus, never stop acknowledging the importance of these essential things. Moreover, always remember to say thank you to different community helpers.

It can be anyone, whether your gardener or sweeper or even the police officers. Make sure you thank them for their service whenever it is possible for you. Remember that to wake up every day is no less than a blessing itself.

So, make sure to be grateful for a new day and thank the almighty for making you wiser and stronger with each passing day. Most importantly, try to avoid complaining about things when they don’t go your way. You don’t know about the blessing behind it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of Gratitude Essay

All in all, gratitude is the most essential human expression which proves that humans are sensible and have emotions. Moreover, this emotion does not just limit to humans but also animals. Often, we see then express their gratitude and return the favour. Thus, we must always express our gratitude.

FAQ of Gratitude Essay

Question 1: Why is gratitude important?

Answer 1: Gratitude is strongly and constantly connected with greater happiness. It is what helps people feel more positive emotions, appreciate good experiences, advance their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Question 2: How can gratitude change your life?

Answer 2: Gratitude can change your life as it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t have. It can change your life  because it is the single most powerful source of inspiration that any individual can tap into if they simply stop and pay attention to the simplistic beauty and miracle of life.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essay Curve

Essay on Gratitude – Examples, 10 Lines to 1200 Words

Essay on Gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can transform our lives in profound ways. In this essay, we will explore the importance of practicing gratitude on a daily basis and how it can improve our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From boosting our mood and enhancing our relationships to increasing our resilience and overall happiness, gratitude has the ability to shift our perspective and help us appreciate the abundance in our lives. Join me as we delve into the transformative power of gratitude.

Table of Contents

Gratitude Essay Writing Tips

1. Start by defining gratitude and its importance in daily life. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in life. It is a powerful emotion that can improve mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

2. Share personal experiences or examples of moments when you felt grateful. This could be a simple act of kindness from a stranger, a supportive friend during a difficult time, or a beautiful sunset that brought you joy. These examples can help illustrate the impact of gratitude in your own life.

3. Discuss the benefits of practicing gratitude regularly. Research has shown that expressing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, improved physical health, stronger relationships, and reduced stress. By focusing on the positive aspects of life, you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook and attract more positivity into your life.

4. Explore different ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily routine. This could include keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, practicing mindfulness and meditation, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the small joys in life. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can train your mind to focus on the good and develop a more grateful attitude.

5. Address any challenges or obstacles that may prevent you from feeling grateful. It’s important to acknowledge that life is not always perfect and there will be times when it’s difficult to find things to be thankful for. However, even in the midst of challenges, there are still opportunities to practice gratitude and find moments of joy.

6. Reflect on the impact of gratitude on your relationships with others. Expressing gratitude towards loved ones can strengthen bonds and create a sense of connection and appreciation. By showing gratitude towards others, you can also inspire them to cultivate a more positive and grateful mindset.

7. Conclude your essay by emphasizing the importance of gratitude in leading a fulfilling and meaningful life. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience. By practicing gratitude regularly, you can cultivate a more positive and optimistic outlook, leading to greater happiness and well-being.

Essay on Gratitude in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in life. 2. It helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives and fosters a sense of contentment and happiness. 3. Practicing gratitude can improve our mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. 4. It strengthens relationships by fostering a sense of connection and mutual appreciation. 5. Gratitude encourages us to see the good in others and acknowledge their contributions to our lives. 6. It can help us overcome challenges and setbacks by shifting our perspective to focus on what we have rather than what we lack. 7. Gratitude promotes a sense of abundance and fulfillment, leading to a more positive outlook on life. 8. It encourages us to pay it forward and spread kindness and generosity to others. 9. Gratitude can improve our physical health by reducing inflammation and boosting our immune system. 10. Overall, cultivating a mindset of gratitude can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Sample Essay on Gratitude in 100-180 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. When we practice gratitude, we are acknowledging the good things in our lives and expressing appreciation for them. This simple act can help us shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to increased feelings of happiness and contentment.

Gratitude also has the power to strengthen relationships and build connections with others. When we express gratitude towards someone, we are showing them that we value and appreciate them, which can deepen our bond with them.

In addition, practicing gratitude can improve our mental and emotional well-being. Research has shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Overall, gratitude is a powerful tool that can help us lead happier, more fulfilling lives. By taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in our lives, we can cultivate a positive mindset and create a ripple effect of positivity in our relationships and communities.

Short Essay on Gratitude in 200-500 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. It is the act of being thankful and appreciative for the good things in our lives, both big and small. When we practice gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to increased happiness and overall well-being.

One of the key benefits of gratitude is its ability to improve our mental health. When we take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, we are able to reframe our thoughts and see things from a more positive perspective. This can help to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve our overall mental well-being. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can lead to increased levels of happiness, optimism, and life satisfaction.

Gratitude also has a positive impact on our physical health. Studies have found that people who regularly practice gratitude have lower levels of inflammation, improved heart health, and stronger immune systems. This is because gratitude can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which in turn can have a positive effect on our physical health. By focusing on the good things in our lives, we are able to cultivate a sense of peace and contentment that can benefit our overall health and well-being.

In addition to its mental and physical health benefits, gratitude can also improve our relationships with others. When we express gratitude towards others, we are able to strengthen our connections and build trust and rapport. Gratitude can help to foster a sense of appreciation and mutual respect, leading to more positive and fulfilling relationships. By showing gratitude towards others, we can create a cycle of positivity and kindness that can have a ripple effect on those around us.

Practicing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to cultivate a more positive and fulfilling life. There are many ways to incorporate gratitude into our daily routine, such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to others, or simply taking a moment to reflect on the good things in our lives. By making gratitude a regular practice, we can experience the many benefits it has to offer and cultivate a greater sense of happiness, well-being, and fulfillment.

Essay on Gratitude in 1000-1500 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. It is the feeling of being thankful and appreciative for the blessings and positive aspects of our lives. When we practice gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, which can lead to greater happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being.

Gratitude is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced and materialistic society. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need more in order to be happy and successful. This mindset can lead to feelings of discontent and dissatisfaction, as we are always striving for the next big thing without taking the time to appreciate what we already have.

However, research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a multitude of benefits for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Studies have found that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They also have stronger immune systems, better sleep quality, and improved relationships with others.

One of the reasons why gratitude is so powerful is that it helps us to shift our perspective from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we are able to see the positive aspects of our lives more clearly and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. This can help us to feel more content and satisfied with what we have, rather than constantly striving for more.

Gratitude also has the power to improve our relationships with others. When we express gratitude towards others, whether through a simple thank you or a heartfelt gesture, we are able to strengthen our connections and foster a sense of mutual appreciation. This can lead to greater trust, understanding, and empathy in our relationships, as we are able to recognize and value the contributions of others.

In addition, gratitude can help us to cultivate a more positive outlook on life. When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we are able to see the good in every situation, even in the face of challenges and adversity. This can help us to develop resilience and optimism, as we are able to find silver linings and opportunities for growth in difficult circumstances.

Practicing gratitude can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal, where we write down three things we are thankful for each day. This can help us to cultivate a habit of gratitude and train our minds to focus on the positive aspects of our lives. We can also express gratitude through acts of kindness, such as volunteering or helping others in need, which can not only benefit those we are helping but also bring us a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

In conclusion, gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. By practicing gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to greater happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being. Gratitude can help us to cultivate a mindset of abundance, improve our relationships with others, and develop a more positive outlook on life. It is a simple yet transformative practice that can bring joy and contentment into our lives. So let us take a moment each day to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the blessings and positive aspects of our lives.

Related Essays

Essay on A Visit To A Fair – 10 Lines, 100 to 1500 Words

Value of Games And Sports – Essay in 10 Lines, 100 to 1500 Words

Essay on Importance of Teacher – 100, 200, 500, 1000 Words

Essay on A Visit To A Museum – 100, 200, 500, 1000 Words

Essay on Effect of Social Media On Youth

Essay on Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji – Short & Long Essay Examples

Essay on Nuclear Family – Short Essay & Long Essay upto 1500 Words

Essay on Anudeep Durishetty – 10 Lines, 100 to 1500 Words

Essay on Non Violence – Samples, 10 Lines to 1500 Words

Covid 19 Responsive School – Essay in 10 Lines, 100 to 1500 Words

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Essay About Being Grateful: 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Looking at life in a more appreciative way is key to success and happiness. Read this guide if you want to write an essay about being grateful.

Keeping a positive outlook on life can be challenging in a world where we constantly hear bad news. However, it is important to stop focusing on the negative and become more grateful for what we have.

Being grateful is a principal practice to follow to live a healthy, productive life. Even when you feel like nothing good has happened, think of the simpler aspects of life, things as commonplace as having a meal, a bed to sleep on, and even waking up to another day. Being grateful can help you focus your energy on something more positive, lightening your load when life gets too heavy. 

If you want to write an essay about being grateful, here are some essay examples for inspiration. 

For help with your essay, check our round-up of best essay writing apps .

1. 7 Things That I Am Grateful For. What About You? by Steve Spring

2. how gratitude can help you through hard times by robert emmons, 3. feel and express gratitude by dr. hyder zahed, 4. the importance of being grateful by deborah jepsen, 5. choose to be grateful. it will make you happier. by arthur c. brooks, 1. what is gratitude to you, 2. what are you grateful for, 3. why should you be more grateful, 4. is gratitude still “good” even if you don’t mean it, 5. why has gratitude become such a hot topic.

“I have a lot to be grateful for. If I had been born in another time or place my life might have been very different. I might not have had been blessed with the life I have now. I have an amazing life. It is great to be focused on my goals and trying to improve my life…But, I need to make sure that I am taking some time to be grateful for everything and everyone that I have in my life. If you want to be happy you need to learn to be grateful. What are you grateful for today?”

Spring lists seven things he is grateful for and explains why he is thankful for each. These include his home, food, and, most significantly, the mistakes he has made in the past. He provides excellent insight into why he is grateful for these seemingly basic items and does an excellent job of justifying his points. Ultimately, the takeaway from this article is that while life is not perfect, we always have a lot to be grateful for. Gratitude is a choice.

“Being grateful is a choice, a prevailing attitude that endures and is relatively immune to the gains and losses that flow in and out of our lives. When disaster strikes, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances. Yes, this perspective is hard to achieve—but my research says it is worth the effort.”

This essay reflects on being grateful even when experiencing tough times. It is easy to be grateful when all is well in our lives.

Robert Emmons suggests performing a comparison between good times and bad times. You may then realize that your situation is better than you thought. He also says that rather than thinking about a difficult time or a particular challenge in a negative light, we can think about it in the sense that it has helped us grow, making it something to be grateful for. 

Embracing gratitude can be a challenge in itself, but it is ultimately self-serving. Being grateful makes you count your blessings and makes you feel good.

“For, whatever you genuinely feel grateful for, you will have multiply in your life. Think about it, if you gave a gift to another and that person told you, ‘I am so grateful for the gift. I can’t believe how kind you were to give it to me. You have made me so very happy,’ you’d want to give that person another gift. So you could be feeling genuinely appreciated while at the same time bring a little happiness to another.”

Zahed, in his essay, reminds us to be grateful for everything that contributes to our happiness and wellbeing, no matter how small. Similar to Emmons, he also discusses turning sorrow and disaster into something to be grateful for, in a sense. Being grateful is a commitment that we must choose to enhance our lives. It’s all about how you measure your success.

“Gratitude promotes optimism and helps us to develop a more positive outlook. It lets us pause for a moment to reflect on something we have in our life right now instead of always striving for more … the next goal, the new dress, the new toy, the new car, or the house renovation …Gratitude is simply cultivating a genuine appreciation for what we already have.”

From a more scientific perspective, Jepsen discusses the health benefits of gratitude, both psychological and physical. Gratitude makes us more optimistic and helps us reflect on what we have rather than constantly wanting more. She also encourages readers to share their appreciation with others, even through something as simple as a smile. 

“Be honest: When was the last time you were grateful for the spots on a trout? More seriously, think of the small, useless things you experience — the smell of fall in the air, the fragment of a song that reminds you of when you were a kid. Give thanks.”

This opinion piece by Arthur C is similar to the other works on this list. Brooks encourages readers to choose gratitude. He says that acting grateful can help you feel grateful and that being grateful can uplift the mood of those around us. Gratitude offers benefits for the individual and the collective. Finally, he says to find gratitude in everything, no matter how small it is. 

Essay Prompts About Being Grateful

Consider how you were introduced to the concept of gratitude as a child. Was it discussed with you, and were you encouraged to express gratitude, or is it something you have come to understand and appreciate in adulthood? How do you personally feel about being grateful? Are there any experiences in which you wish you acted more gratefully? Explore gratitude through your own experience.

As illustrated by Steve Spring, it can be beneficial to list the things you are grateful for and maybe discover a few more you had not considered along the way. Categorize aspects of your life and the parts for which you are grateful. You could then perform a comparison with someone from a different background or country and speculate on how your lists may differ. Finally, consider how quickly a person’s life can change. Should tragedy befall you, would you still be able to find things to be grateful for?

This angle allows you to showcase inspirational examples of the benefits of gratitude. Why is it important to be grateful and maintain a positive outlook on life? And what do people get out of it? The essay examples above offer excellent sources for this prompt. There are measurable benefits.

Some would say it is important to show gratitude even if you don’t mean it sincerely. Others argue that it would be worse to be insincere. What do you think? Does insincerity qualify as gratitude, even if you try to be polite or act kindly to spare someone’s feelings? Or is genuine gratitude something else altogether? If we cannot offer sincere thanks, are we actually being grateful?

In recent times people are talking more about the benefits of gratitude and researching to prove its merits. The popularity of gratitude journaling is vast; you can purchase bespoke gratitude journals to record your thoughts on the topic daily and even take a course to learn how to do it. Investigate where this trend originated and examine how it has been embraced throughout society.  

If you’d like to learn more, in this guide our writer explains how to write an argumentative essay .

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Gratitude — Essence of Gratitude: the Power of Appreciation

Essence of Gratitude: The Power of Appreciation

• Categories: Gratitude

About this sample

Words: 651 |

Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 651 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 392 words

2 pages / 817 words

1 pages / 502 words

1 pages / 602 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Gratitude

The act of showing gratitude is a simple yet profound gesture that has the remarkable ability to transform both individuals and communities. In a world often consumed by haste and ambition, taking a moment to express [...]

Life is a precious and fragile gift that we often take for granted in the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. It is easy to get caught up in the challenges and stresses of life, but it is essential to remember that each day [...]

The Ross Gay’s book Catalogue of unabashed gratitude consists of several poems with rich content. The report analysis herein will cover three poems from the book such as “Burial,” “Weeping,” and “Catalogue of Unabashed [...]

Happiness is a chief human concern because it provides purpose and meaning to our actions. A chief concern of a sub-discipline within psychology resolves around the conditions and prerequisites for human happiness in general. [...]

As a part of this course, learning positive in both theory and practice is imperative as envisioned in our syllabus. As such, one learns how to help others increase their happiness and well-being with a goal of producing a [...]

In The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani, the narrator is a young Jewish man living in Fascist Italy prior to World War II. As more racial laws become implemented in Italy, he develops a deeper relationship with [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Resources ›
• For Students and Parents ›
• College Admissions ›
• Essay Samples & Tips ›

Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude

Tips and Strategies for the 2021-22 Common App

• Essay Samples & Tips
• College Admissions Process
• College Profiles
• College Rankings
• Choosing A College
• Application Tips
• Testing Graphs
• College Financial Aid
• Advanced Placement
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

One major change to the Common Application in the 2021-22 admissions cycle is the addition of a new essay prompt. Option #4 now reads, "Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?"

This new prompt replaces the earlier question about solving a problem : "Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma--anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution." Keep in mind that colleges and universities still want to learn about students interested in solving significant problems, and you still have the "Topic of Your Choice" option if you feel your essay would fit well under the former option #4.

According to Common App , the new prompt serves a couple purposes. First, it replaces a prompt that wasn't very popular among college applicants. More importantly, it gives applicants the opportunity to write about something positive at a difficult time in world history. Rather than write about significant problems, challenges, and anxieties, the new prompt #4 invites you to share something heartfelt and uplifting.

The Importance of Gratitude and Kindness

During the college application process, it's easy and tempting to focus entirely on your personal accomplishments: good grades, challenging AP courses, leadership experiences, athletic ability, musical talent, and so on. Even community service can sometimes come across as focused on your self—hours spent to bolster your application credentials.

Gratitude, however, is a largely selfless feeling. It's about your appreciation for someone else. It's recognizing that your growth and success wouldn't be possible without others. When you express gratitude, you aren't saying "look at me!" Rather, you are appreciating those who have helped you become you.

The folks at Common App have expressed that the new prompt allows students to write about something positive. This is true, but the prompt serves a bigger purpose in the admissions selection process. Highly selective schools end up rejecting thousands of well-qualified applicants, and those decisions will often come down to questions of character rather than GPA and SAT scores.

Think of it this way: when a college is choosing between two students who are academically strong and impressive on the extracurricular front, they will choose the student who seems to be the most kind and generous. Admissions officers are building a campus community with their admissions decisions, and they want to create a community filled with students who appreciate others, build each other up, and recognize the contributions of peers, staff, and professors. They want to admit students who will be kind roommates, collaborative lab partners, and supportive team members.

Chris Peterson, an assistant director of admissions at MIT, wrote a blog post in which he identified three essential qualities for getting into one of the world's most selective schools: do well in school, pursue your passion, and be nice. He notes that this last quality "cannot be overstated." MIT is not a Common Application member, but the point applies perfectly to the value of prompt #4. A winning essay doesn't say "me, me, me!" It shows that you are not only an accomplished person, but also someone who knows how to say "thank you."

Breaking Down the Essay Prompt

Before crafting your essay on prompt #4, it's essential to understand everything that the prompt is asking you to do as well as what it is not asking. The prompt is just 28 words long:

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

The prompt has several important elements to consider.

"Reflect"

The very first word in the prompt is one of the most significant. "Reflect" means much more than "write about" or "describe." When you reflect on something, you look inward and reveal self-awareness. You employ critical thinking skills to explain why something is important. Reflection is an act of self-discovery as you examine what you have learned and why it was meaningful.

Here's a quick example:

Unreflective writing: Coach Strauss always taught the team the value of hard work. We practiced hours every day regardless of the weather. The coach's strategy paid off when we won the state championship. The effort we put in wasn't always enjoyable, but the team's success showed that the path to success requires sacrifices.

Reflective writing: I used to resent those miserable and seemingly endless soccer practices in the rain or even snow. Looking back, I now recognize the value of what Coach Strauss was teaching the team. To succeed, we need to work through small obstacles. We need to persevere even when motivation is hard to find. We need to recognize that we always have room for improvement, and we need to support each other as we work towards that goal. I can now see that her lessons were about much more than soccer, and thanks to her I am not just a better athlete, but a better student, peer, sister, and community member.

The first example describes the writer's soccer experience. Nothing in the passage looks inward to analyze the importance of Coach Strauss to the writer's personal awareness and development. The second passage succeeds on this front—it expresses gratitude for Coach Strauss and the way that her lessons helped the writer grow.

"Something" and "Someone"

A nice feature of the Common Application is that all of the essay prompts are designed to give you a lot of latitude in how you respond. The words "something" and "someone" in the new prompt #4 are deliberately vague. You can write about anyone and anything. Possible choices for the person you focus on include

• A teacher who helped you realize your potential or see the world in a new way.
• A coach who taught you valuable skills.
• A family member whose support, love, or guidance helped you become the person you are today.
• A peer who was always there for you in challenging times.
• A student you mentored or tutored who ended up teaching you something valuable in the process.
• A member of your church or community who had a meaningful and positive impact on your life.

The wording of the prompt implies that the "someone" is a living person, so you'll want to avoid writing about an author, God, a pet, or a historical figure (but feel free to use prompt #7 for these topics).

As you think about the "something" that the person did for you, make sure it is meaningful. It needs to be something that has changed you in a positive way.

"Surprising"

When the prompt states that you should write about something that has made you "happy or thankful in a surprising way," don't get too hung up on that word "surprising." This doesn't mean that you need to be shocked or overwhelmed by whatever it is that a person did for you. Don't think of the term "surprising" as something that made you speechless and caused an adrenalin rush. It does not need to be something earth-shattering or even unusual. Rather, the "surprise" can simply be something that expanded your world view, made you think about something you hadn't considered before, or caused you to appreciate something new. Some of the best essays focus on something small or subtle that changed you in a meaningful way.

"Gratitude"

The essay's focus on "gratitude" and thankfulness means that you absolutely must show appreciation for someone other than yourself. One main purpose of this essay, in fact, is to show that you recognize the contributions that others have made to your personal journey. Be generous. Be kind. Show that you value the people who have made you into the person you are.

"Affected" and "Motivated"

Here's the tricky part. Essay #4 is all about recognizing someone else and showing gratitude for the way in which that person has enriched your life. That said, every college application essay needs to be about you. The admissions folks aren't really interested in learning about someone else. They are interested in learning about the student they are considering for admission.

This means you have a careful balancing act to perform with essay option #4. You need to write about the person who contributed to your life in a meaningful and surprising way, but you also need to be introspective and present why that person was so important to you. What did you learn from the person? How did you grow? How did that person change your world view, strengthen your convictions, help you overcome an obstacle, or give you a new sense of direction?

When you answer questions like these, you are writing about yourself. The true goal of this essay is to show that you are a grateful, kind, thoughtful, introspective, and generous person. The focus isn't so much on the person you are writing about, but your ability to cherish that person.

Avoid These Mistakes

You can write about anyone who was important to you, and your gratitude can be for something large or small as long as it affected you in a meaningful way. There are, however, several mistakes you want to avoid when responding to the prompt:

Don't display ego . Prompt #4 is about acknowledging the important contributions others have made to your life, so a boastful or egotistical tone will be entirely out of place. If at its heart your essay says "Coach Strauss helped make me into the award-winning national champion I am today," you've missed the mark.

Do more than describe . Make sure you "reflect" and explore how the person "affected" and "motivated" you. A winning essay needs to be thoughtful and introspective. If you spend the entire essay describing the person who has made you grateful, the admissions folks won't get to know you better and your essay won't have done its job.

Don't be clever with the "someone." Write about a real living human being who has enriched your life in a direct way. Don't write about yourself, God, Abe Lincoln, or Harry Potter. You also don't want to write about a sports idol or musician—while they may have influenced you, they didn't actually do something specifically "for you."

Attend to the Writing

Never forget that your Common Application serves not just to help the admissions folks get to know you, but also to show that you are a capable writer. No matter what your major is, a significant part of your college GPA is going to stem from writing. Successful college students can write clear, engaging, error-free prose. You'll want to pay careful attention to your essay's style , tone, and mechanics. At a highly selective university with more qualified applicants than can be admitted, the difference between an acceptance and rejection can come down to some glaring grammatical errors in the essay.

If you aren't confident in your writing ability, seek help. Have multiple people read your essay. Get feedback from parents and peers, Even more valuable will probably be feedback from your high school counselor and English teacher, for they have more experience with personal essays.

A Final Note for Common Application Option #4

This essay prompt can be approached is so many different ways, but at its heart, the essay needs to accomplish one thing: it needs to show that you are the type of person the college wants to join their campus community. Make sure you come across as someone who is kind, generous, and thoughtful. Show that you care about good writing by crafting an engaging essay that is free of any significant errors. Finally, don't be afraid to let your personality shine. Don't hold back (within reason) if you are a quirky or humorous person. The essay needs to sound like you.

• "Grandpa's Rubik's Cube"—Sample Common Application Essay, Option #4
• Tips for the Pre-2013 Personal Essay Options on the Common Application
• "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
• 5 Tips for a College Admissions Essay on an Important Issue
• Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place
• Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story
• Sample Common Application Essay for Option #5
• Model Essay on Identity
• "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
• Tips for Writing an Essay on an Event That Led to Personal Growth
• Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure
• Tips for the 8 University of California Personal Insight Questions
• Should an Application Essay Be Single-Spaced or Double-Spaced?
• Tips for an Application Essay on a Significant Experience