Monday Morning Essay Tip: Earning Your Keep
August 25th, 2008 | Posted in Monday Morning Essay Tips, Blogroll
Anyone who has written an email that has been misunderstood, let alone an MBA application essay, is no doubt aware of the subtleties of language and the simple nuances that can change a message’s meaning. Well, these nuances need not only be negative. Indeed, it is entirely possible to invigorate a simple sentence by choosing a more active verb, such as ”earn.”
By using “earn” in the examples below, instead of the more passive approaches, we change one word and thereby change each sentence’s meaning. Suddenly, you are in control—suddenly you worked hard and, as a result, attained great accomplishments.
Bad: “I received my PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of So-and-So.”
Good: “I earned my PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of So-and-So.”
Bad: “I was promoted from junior to senior analyst.” (Also bad because of passive voice.)
Good: “I earned a promotion from junior to senior analyst.”
Bad: “As a result of obtaining my MBA, I will be able to….”
Good: “As a result of earning my MBA, I will be able to….”
Once you have finished your essays, review them and check to see how often you can replace certain words with the word “earn” or a form of the word “earn”—you’ve earned it!
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