Here is my short video presentation to help you answer what I think is the best of the five Common Application Essay prompts: Number 4. (This video complements the post I wrote on How to Answer Prompt 4 in this blog, as well as my popular writing guide, Escape Essay Hell!)

In this short video, I quickly help students understand why writing about a “problem” can lead to a standout essay for The Common Application.

First, I explain what the prompt is asking from the writer, and then I step them through a brainstorming process to find a juicy problem for a narrative-style essay.

The second half of the video I walk students through the simple steps to writing a compelling and meaningful “slice-of-life” essay about one of their problems.

I hope you find it helpful! (To make the screen larger, click the YouTube icon in the lower righthand corner.)