Personal essays are a form of creative nonfiction that allow writers to share their personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings with readers. They can be written on a wide range of topics, and often focus on a specific event or moment that had a profound impact on the writer.
Example 1: “Growing Up with Anxiety”
In this personal essay, the writer describes their experience growing up with anxiety. They discuss how it affected their daily life, including their relationships and academic performance. They also reflect on how they learned to cope with their anxiety and how it has shaped them as a person.
Example 2: “The Day I Realized I Wasn’t Straight”
In this personal essay, the writer describes a pivotal moment in their life when they realized their sexual orientation was not what they had thought it was. They talk about the feelings of confusion and fear they felt, as well as the process of coming to terms with their identity.
Example 3: “My Summer in India”
This personal essay is about the writer’s experience traveling to India for the first time. They describe the culture shock they felt, the people they met, and the lessons they learned about themselves and the world.
Example 4: “The Loss of My Grandmother”
In this personal essay, the writer reflects on the death of their grandmother and the impact it had on their life. They talk about their memories of her, the grief they felt, and how they coped with the loss.
Example 5: “Overcoming My Fear of Public Speaking”
This personal essay is about the writer’s experience overcoming their fear of public speaking. They discuss how the fear affected their life and how they worked to overcome it, including the strategies they used and the lessons they learned.
In all of these examples, the writers were vulnerable and honest in sharing their personal experiences. They used vivid details, clear language and it made the reader fully immerses in the story. Personal essays often resonate with readers because they allow them to see themselves in the writer’s experiences and feel a connection to the story.
