When
I first read the blog posting for the requirements on the Essay Contest, my jaw
nearly dropped. Was I actually reading correctly? This essay allowed me to pick
any contest essay to write about, the options were endless! I had to contain
myself as I scoured the internet for creative writing contests. Not only was I
completing a require paper for college, but I was also entering my work for
recognition! Score.
I
began thinking about the different topics I could write about. This was quite
challenging, as there were so many contest thesis to touch upon. Initially, I
wanted to write a poem or a short story, creative writing has always
entertained my mind and imagination. I wouldn’t even think about this paper as
an assignment, more-so a free-time writing. However, I ran into numerous
problems when searching for legitimate contest sites. Many contests for
creative writing entries have already been past-due the deadline; as well as
the crowd suggested was that of high-school teenagers. I then simply googled
‘’contest essay for college students’’ and lots of science/research sites
appeared. Bummer. ‘’Growing up really does stink sometimes’’ I thought.
My
topic of choice focused on the power of belief, and how humans fall into the
deception of psychologically accepting false reality. The contest essay was
actually a reflective analysis of what I have been learning in General
Psychology the past couple of classes. Having the information accumulated to
back up my statements and theories were already taken care of, now it was just
a matter of constructing the actual essay. Unlike the narrative essay, the
contest essay I have choose was geared more towards tangible knowledge, one
where statistics played a dominate part in supporting my arguments. I
formulated a theory and backed it up with information I recalled in my
Psychology class. I also researched different ‘’science proven’’ medicine
practices, and analyzed what was truly happening. Was it really science, or was
it just the person’s beliefs that were affecting the results? I based my essay
mainly on health related topics because my audience would be able to relate to
it more effectively.
To
be honest, I didn’t expect high remarks on my paper when I turned it in for
peer reviews. I wrote my paper the day before it was due with thoughts about
baking bread later that night. However, the reality was that this paper focused
on concrete evidence to support my arguments, all in which I have given
graciously. My peers told me the paper was interesting and that they learned a
lot of new information about the power of belief. Of course I had a few minor
spelling errors (from not proof-reading) which I corrected when redrafting it.
I took into consideration the feedback of one peer mate, they told me to relate
this information towards my personal life. ‘’Have you ever experience this type
of reverse psychology?’’ they asked. I thought about it for a while, and
couldn’t really think of anything. I finally caved in and started to
‘’creatively embellish’’ the stories of how it has affected my dramatically. I
thought this would give my essay more creditability, if a real human being can
relate it must be real right? I made my small revisions and turned it, 98/100.
Awesome!
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