How to Write Your Essay for the Richard L. Floyd Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a rich narrative for your essay, explore the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your musical journey. What experiences have shaped your passion for music? Consider specific moments, such as performances, lessons, or challenges you faced.
• Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments in music. This can include awards, leadership roles in music groups, or community service related to music. Use metrics and specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
• The Gap: Identify what you seek to achieve through further education. What skills or knowledge do you currently lack that this scholarship will help you acquire? Be honest and specific about your goals.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reflect your values and character. Share anecdotes that reveal your dedication to music and your vision for the future.

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay to ensure clarity and flow. A suggested outline includes:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that encapsulates your passion for music.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets. Ensure each section transitions smoothly to the next, maintaining a logical progression.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how this scholarship will impact your educational journey and future contributions to the music community.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, aim for an active voice that emphasizes your role in your experiences. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead, focus on specific actions you took and the outcomes of those actions. Each paragraph should convey a single idea and connect back to the central theme of your commitment to music.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your essay. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights or reflections do you provide that demonstrate personal growth? Ensure that each part of your essay contributes to a cohesive narrative that answers the scholarship's prompt effectively.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Cliché Openers: Avoid starting with overused phrases. Instead, engage the reader with a unique moment.
• Vagueness: Provide specific details, metrics, and examples to support your claims.
• Passive Voice: Use active voice to make your writing more engaging and direct.