The Harvard Tutor’s College Essay Handbook: A step-by-step Guide for the Non-Writer by Katerina Manoff
**Available only as a Kindle Download
Harvard Tutor’s College Essay Handbook
Do we really need another book about writing College Essays? Actually, yes we do because the majority of books deliver vague advice and present essay examples that lead to imitative efforts. However, this is not that type of book.
The Harvard Tutor’s College Essay Handbook prompted me to search my classroom for listening devices (I didn’t find any) as her advice sounded eerily familiar. Perhaps because we have had similar experiences with students who think they have nothing to say because they have had boring lives or the superstars who just want to brag about achievements rather than reveal something real and personal.
The book provides a direct set of steps to follow and is aimed at students who feel that writing is not their forte as well as a section dedicated to non-native English speaking students. The instructions are easy to follow and helpful with suggestions for students who have followed the directions but are still feeling lost. To avoid overwhelming students, the length of the book is an unimposing 106 pages. However, those 106 pages are just what you need to know without a lot of fluff and filler. The information is provided succinctly, and then the reader is directed on what steps to take.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book as a resource for all students writing American College Application essays. It will hold your hand and take you to the end with helpful advice and clear instructions.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by the author to review, but this has not affected my evaluation of the book.