Study the essay topic or question. Figure out if it will require research or if it is simply asking you to write about yourself. It is important to understand the question so you can answer the topic or question correctly. Discussing special attributes or accomplishments that set you apart from other candidates and describing your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your field of study are a couple examples of scholarship essay topics. Also, because the main goal behind any scholarship essay question is to learn more about you, decide how the judges will learn more about you through your essay.
Brainstorm. Take out a sheet of paper and write down different ideas you can talk about in your essay. It is important for these ideas to reflect your passion for the scholarship.
Write an intriguing introduction. You want the reader to be interested right away, so he will keep reading the essay. An example of an intriguing introduction would be to include a unique fact about yourself, such as how you will be the first person in your family to attend college. It is essential to make the reader believe in your passion for the scholarship right away. However, do not summarize everything about yourself in the first paragraph. Begin with an anecdote, and talk about the details later in your essay.
Use transitions in the introduction and throughout the essay. These will keep your essay organized and show your reader where he is going next and why it's a logical step. An example of a good transition would be, "Once I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian, I started volunteering at my local animal shelter." Other good transitions include words like then, after, secondly and finally.
Take a break after you write the first couple of paragraphs of your essay. It is important to take a breather and to not stress out about finishing it too quickly. After a 30-minute break, you can return with a fresh set of eyes and more ideas.