Up Close & Personal «AUTHENTIC | 2025»
To write a deep personal essay that lives up to the title "Up Close & Personal," you must move beyond a simple play-by-play of events and focus on internal transformation and the "truth of literature". 1. Identify Your Core "Why"
A successful deep essay often follows a "Show and Tell" approach—providing both the scene and the commentary that explains its significance. Marina Benjamin on Crafting the Personal Essay Up Close & Personal
: Avoid focusing on "winning" or outward success. Instead, explore how a setback or ordinary moment (like family traditions) shaped your character. 2. Crafting the Narrative To write a deep personal essay that lives