clep college composition essay examples

Writing a Stellar CLEP Essay

Welcome back to our third and final installment of our CLEP essay tips! In our first and second blog , we talked about lots of things you can do to prepare, and now is the time to discuss how to write a stellar essay when you take the exam.

It can be challenging to remember how to write an essay, especially if you haven’t written one in awhile. While our CLEP exam review materials don’t include resources for writing an essay, we’re here to give you some informal guidance in our blog. Take a look at how to break down your essay, and find the best in CLEP test prep courses from SpeedyPrep!

Getting Set Up

We’ve mentioned this in a previous blog, but it’s really important that, first and foremost, you fully understand exactly what the essay prompt is asking. For this example we’re going to use a sample prompt from CLEP College Board , for the American Literature exam.

“For the first essay, a common theme in American literature and a list of major American authors are provided. Test takers are asked to write a well organized essay discussing the way that theme is handled in works by any two of those authors.”

As an example, let’s use two popular pieces of American literature: The Grapes of Wrath and Harlem . This book and poem, respectively, are famous examples of 20th century American literature, by contemporary writers John Steinbeck and Langston Hughes.

To start, note that the prompt says “ discussing the way that theme is handled in works by any two of those authors. ” We have bolded the key words. Identify the keywords in your essay prompt because your success depends on fulfilling these tasks.

This tells us we need to write an essay where we talk about how theme is used by two authors. It will probably be easiest to compare the similarities between the works, remembering to always come back to the stylistic choices of the authors .

Paragraph 1: The Intro

Before you write, come up with a cohesive thesis statement. A thesis statement is the sentence that states your point of view on the topic. It serves as the summary of the argument you will make in your essay. We could go into a full blog post about writing a great thesis statement, but for the sake of time, here’s a general formula for this prompt:

(Author 1) and (Author 2) (do what the prompt is asking) to show (theme).

Our practice thesis for this essay is as follows: Both Steinbeck and Hughes use the concept of unfulfilled dreams as a theme to show hardships faced by Americans.

Your intro should be about five sentences, with the final sentence explaining what your thesis is. The first few sentences should cover some of the basics of the two works, similar to this (though you very well might want to expand more on your own essay).

“The Grapes of Wrath” and “Harlem” are exceptional examples of 20th century American literature. While written at different points in time, they cover some similar topics, which provide a voice for American people across a span of several decades. Both Steinbeck and Hughes use the concept of unfulfilled dreams as a theme to show hardships faced by Americans.

Paragraphs 2-4: The Body

The body paragraphs are like the bullet points of your essay, but going into more detail. These three paragraphs will present evidence on three topics you plan to cover to support your thesis. When planning your essay, it is helpful to write out some bullet points for yourself to follow in writing the body paragraphs.

For your body paragraphs, you want to bring in a solid piece of evidence that backs up your thesis statement — more specifically, a new piece of evidence every time. After stating your evidence, you use the rest of the space in each paragraph to explain what you mean. We can’t stress this enough: every single thing that you’re writing should have some connection back to your thesis, and back to the prompt itself.

Here’s an example of a good body paragraph:

The wording choices used by both Hughes and Steinbeck represent the overarching theme of unfulfilled dreams and hardships faced by Americans in the 20th century. In “The Grapes of Wrath,” Steinbeck writes “… in the eyes of the people there is the failure; and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath.” Steinbeck wrote this book about the Joad family during the Great Depression. When he uses the word “failure,” he’s referring to this theme of dreams that could not come true, and the consistent letdowns that came from such a period of economic hardship. Similarly, Hughes speaks in vivid imagery of “what happens to a dream deferred,” or a dream that does not come true. He talks of it “festering like a sore,” continuing with the theme of the pain that comes from an unfulfilled dream, more so in the context of the inequities faced by African Americans. Both authors focus on their wording to convey this theme of hardships faced by Americans, and how this led to many dreams that couldn’t be pursued.

Paragraph 5: The Closing

Closing paragraphs are gratifying to write, because it feels good to finish up a well-written essay. Your closing paragraph pulls everything together. Make sure you bring it back to the thesis and prompt once more, and provide a brief summary of some of your points (but worded in a different way). Use three to five sentences to close out your essay, and restate your thesis in a slightly altered way. For this essay good closing sentences could be “The theme of unfulfilled dreams was used by both Steinbeck and Hughes to represent the trials faced by the American people. This theme still serves as a relevant topic in today’s literature — as well as society as a whole.”

Writing an essay can seem challenging, but it’s like anything in life: the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel with it. Practice responding to prompts, reference our other two blogs for tips on getting set up for the big day, and make sure you feel confident on how to write a well-organized and well-structured essay — all of these components will help you feel more prepared for the test. In the meantime, remember that you can rely on SpeedyPrep for incredible CLEP exam review courses and resources — get started today!

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CLEP College Composition Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

The College Board administers the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), which offers affordable exams to help students across the country receive college credits. This article covers the CLEP College Composition exam, which tests your writing skills and general English knowledge.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free CLEP College Composition practice test!

What is the CLEP College Composition Exam?

As mentioned previously, if you are already familiar with a particular subject without having a college education, CLEP exams can be taken to earn college credits for those subjects. If you have learned the exam material through life experience, previous studies, or on-the-job training, you can take this one exam and receive college credit as if you took the one-semester course!

By taking and passing the CLEP College Composition exam, you can skip the composition class at college, which could potentially result in the following:

• Save you money because the test is cheaper than a semester at college
• Allow you to earn three or more college credits
• Add flexibility to your degree program
• Allow you to graduate on time or possibly to graduate ahead of schedule

It is important that you check with your college before taking this exam to make sure it is an exam they will accept.

CLEP College Composition Exam Eligibility

There are no eligibility requirements to take this exam! CLEP exams are available for anyone to take at any time, regardless of age or formal education.

Generally, you will see the following groups of people taking the CLEP College Composition exam:

• Homeschool students
• High school students who are preparing to graduate
• College students
• Adults who are returning to school
• Professionals who want to use the exam results to help advance their careers
• Applicants to master’s degree programs that still have undergraduate prerequisites they need to fulfill

CLEP College Composition Exam Outline

The CLEP College Composition exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions and two essays. The multiple-choice questions have a time limit of 55 minutes, while the essays are timed at 70 minutes.

The multiple-choice questions are split into four categories:

Conventions of Standard Written English (10%)

The knowledge and skills tested in this section include:

• Logical comparison
• Punctuation
• Identification of correctly written sentences
• Logical agreement
• Sentence boundaries
• Passive and active voice

Revision Skills (40%)

• Sentence structure
• Transitions
• Evaluation of evidence
• Use of language
• Organization
• Consistency of point of view
• Main idea and thesis statements
• Topic sentences
• Level of detail
• Author’s appeal
• Rhetorical effects
• Awareness of audience

Ability to Use Source Materials (25%)

• Reference materials
• Source evaluation
• Integration of resource material
• Source documentation

Rhetoric Analysis (25%)

In this section, you will be asked to write two essays.

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CLEP College Composition Exam Registration

The CLEP College Composition exam is administered year-round on a very flexible schedule, and you can register via the College Board website.

First, you must create a College Board account. This will allow you to register, and you will be able to see any exams you have taken and view the grades of the exams you have taken. You can also request a transcript from this page.

During the registration process, you will need to pay the $90 exam fee and choose whether to take the exam at a testing center or from home via an online proctor.

Testing In-person

Once you have selected the testing center, date, and time that works best for you, you will need to print your exam ticket. You will not be admitted into the testing center without this printed ticket (a screenshot of the ticket will not be accepted).

Testing Remotely

Before you register, you should ensure that you meet the system requirements:

• You must have a PC desktop or laptop (Macs, Chromebooks, and tablets are not supported).
• Your computer must be using the Windows 10 operating system (Windows 11 is not supported).
• Your computer must have the most recent version of Google Chrome installed.
• You must have a speaker of some kind, internal or external (headphones are not allowed).
• You must have a camera and microphone, internal or external.
• You must have a reliable internet connection.

Once you have selected the date and time that works best for you, you will need to download the ETS Online Test desktop application. This app is what allows you to take the exam on your computer at home.

In-person Testing

On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. Once you arrive, you will be asked to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID, as well as your printed registration ticket.

Before you enter the testing room, you will be asked to leave all personal items (cell phone, bag, coat, notes, food, etc.) in a secure locker outside the testing area. Since you are not allowed to bring your own calculator, a TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator will be made available within the testing software:

Remote Testing

On the day of your exam, you will need to log in to your CLEP account 15-30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time. Once you have logged in, you will need to download and install the Proctortrack desktop application. Within this app, you will be asked to verify your identity with a face scan, and you will need to scan your photo ID. You will also be asked to scan your testing room using your webcam.

Once the check-in process is complete, you will need to open the ETS Online Test desktop app, and the proctor will get you set up and start the exam.

During the exam, you must ensure that no one enters your testing area. If someone comes into your room, you must immediately ask them to leave, and you cannot say anything else.

How the CLEP College Composition Exam is Scored

CLEP exams are scored with one point for each correct answer, and you will not have points removed for any incorrect answers or skipped questions. The number of correct answers you have will be your raw score.

Your raw score is converted into a scaled score, which is typically in numeric form ranging from 20 to about 80.

An unofficial score report will appear on the screen as soon as you finish the exam, and an official report will be made available the day after the exam when you log in to your CLEP account.

Passing Score

Each college has its own CLEP score requirements, so there is no universal passing score. You can usually find this score requirement on your college’s website or course catalog.

According to the American Council on Education, a scaled score of 50 or higher is often what colleges require.

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How to Study for the CLEP College Composition Exam

How to study effectively.

Your success on CLEP test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking CLEP College Composition practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free CLEP College Composition exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:

• The questions you got wrong
• The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right
• The ones you found difficult or slow to work through

This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.

Answer Explanations

Additionally, many CLEP College Composition practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.

Comprehend Each Topic

As you go along, keep in mind that the CLEP practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.

Strategy for CLEP College Composition Practice

When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:

• Remove Limitations. Take the first test with no time constraints and with your notes and CLEP study guide handy. Take your time and focus on applying the strategies you’ve learned.
• Time Yourself. Take the second practice test “open book” as well, but set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish in time.
• Simulate Test Day. Take any other practice tests as if it were test day. Set a timer and put away your study materials. Sit at a table or desk in a quiet room, imagine yourself at the testing center, and answer questions as quickly and accurately as possible.
• Keep Practicing. Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it’s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you’ll be able to focus on recalling the material you’ve learned.

How many questions are on the CLEP College Composition exam?

There are 50 multiple-choice questions and two essays on the exam.

How long is the CLEP College Composition exam?

The total time limit for the exam is about 2 hours; the multiple-choice questions are timed at 55 minutes, and the essays are timed at 70 minutes.

What is the passing score for the CLEP College Composition exam?

There is no set passing score for the exam, but a scaled score of 50 is recommended.

How much does the CLEP College Composition exam cost?

The exam fee is $90.

By Peter Rench

Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.

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by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: May 24, 2024

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CLEP / College Composition (+ Modular)

Free Practice Test: CLEP College Composition (+ Modular)

Rea clep college composition.

*At the time of publishing.

• Exam Study Guide
• Free Practice Test
• Recommended Study Tools

No one wants to do it . . . but everyone has to! Passing freshman composition is a degree requirement for nearly all college students. But why sit in a classroom for fifteen weeks when you can prepare for and take the CLEP Composition Modular test!

The CLEP Composition Modular test assesses what would be covered in a first-year writing class in college. The test is divided into two parts: 90 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes and 2 essays written in 70 minutes.

The multiple-choice section covers basic concepts like The Conventions of Standard Written English (grammar, voice, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, etc), Revision Skills (organization, transitions, evaluation of author, point of view, etc.), Ability to Use Source Materials (evaluating sources, research, and documentation, including MLA, APA, and CMS), and Rhetorical Analysis (appeals, tone, use of language, evaluation of evidence, structure).

The essay section will give students the choice of prompts to write about. Each college has their own way of presenting this section of the test, so make sure you do your research about what the process is for your college.

Fast College Composition (+ Modular) Study Guide

Whether you have been an English scholar or not, remember that you have been speaking English your whole life! You undoubtedly know more than you think you do. And remember, there is no literature on this test. This is strictly about writing, how to write using research, and how to analyze writing.

The Multiple-Choice portion is divided into four areas:

Conventions of Standard Written English (10%)

This section will assess your skills in writing sentences, recognizing fragments and run-ons, agreement (pronouns, subject-verb, case and number), and recognizing things like active versus passive voice and idioms or figures of speech. You will also need to brush up on your punctuation! The two areas most students make mistakes on are in using commas (which have about 50 rules!) and using semi-colons. There are hundreds of interactive grammar quizzes and tests available online if you need some practice.

Revision Skills, Including Sentence-Level Skills (40%)

Here is where the test assesses how well you can proofread and revise a draft. It measures your ability to organize logically, evaluate evidence, your awareness of audience and purpose, your ability to recognize appropriate tone, main ideas, thesis statements, topic sentences, point of view, and sentence-level errors. This test is designed to see how well you pay attention when you are reading a draft. Are you able to see all the errors? Can you correct them properly? Try finding some drafts online to read through or go over some of your high school work and determine what mistakes you tend to make – then you will be more aware of what you are looking for.

Ability to Use Source Materials (25%)

How are your research and reference skills? This is where the test will assess how thoroughly you can integrate research, evaluate research, identify what references are the best, and how thoroughly you document sources (works cited, bibliography, in-text citations). There will be single questions to answer as well as passages where you will have to demonstrate the above skills. If you have never written a research essay before, which is happening more and more, it is in your best interest to read some researched essays and become familiar with documentation formats MLA, APA, and CMS.

Rhetorical Analysis (25%)

When we read literature and write about it, we are usually summarizing. In freshman composition, students move from summarizing to analyzing. This section of the test has reading passages where you will demonstrate your ability to think critically, identify style and purpose, analyze your audience, and identify the context of the writing. These passages will contain the rhetorical appeals, rhetorical effects, evaluation of evidence, and evaluation of language used.

Essay Section (Modular Only)

The Essay Section requires students to respond to two essay prompts; however, the topics are not known to the test taker beforehand. Be prepared to write about just about anything! Each school has its own method for applying this portion of the test. It could be completed on a computer, or it could be written by hand.

College Composition (+ Modular) Free Practice Test

Question 1: which sentence has a consistent point of view.

• As the musicians finished the concert, you could tell the audience wanted more.
• When Lucy got her dog, you could tell it was mean.
• After the movie, Joe and I went to visit our friends.
• As the kids walked away from recess, we were sa

CLICK FOR ANSWER

Correct Answer: C. After the movie, Joe and I went to visit our friends.

Explanation: “Joe and I” matches the use of the pronoun “our”. The other sentences use a mix of different points of view, making them inconsistent. For example, a) should be “she could tell it was mean”, not “you could tell it was mean.”

Question 2: Which of the following is a rhetorical appeal?

• All of the above

Correct Answer: C. All of the above

Explanation: The rhetorical appeals are based on an old, Greek dude named Aristotle. He identified them as ways to persuade or argue when using writing. Ethos is the credibility of the person writing the piece, pathos is an emotional appeal to the reader, and logos is the logic of facts and evidence.

Question 3: Which of the following is a method of formal documentation?

Correct Answer: A. APA

Explanation: APA stands for American Psychological Association format. This format is used primarily in the sciences and political/historical studies. MLA, Modern Language Association, is used in the humanities. CMS, Chicago Manual Style, is used in journalism. Answers b-d are just made up ??

Question 4: Before you begin writing an essay, you have to consider three things

• Audience, tone, and purpose
• Diction, audience, and purpose
• Vocabulary, diction, and tone
• Audience, tone, and format

Correct Answer: A. Audience, tone, and purpose

Explanation: Anytime you are getting ready to write an essay, you really have to think about who it is you are writing for (audience) because you want to use the right tone (conversational or formal). If you are writing for friends or family, you can have that informal, conversational tone, where you don't have to worry about being too serious?? For academic writing, you need to write to your teachers and peers – so, a formal tone would be better. You also need to figure out why you are writing the essay – what is your purpose? Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, compare, or argue?

Question 5: Choose which of the following would be the best search engine to use for reliable research

• Google Scholar

Correct Answer: B. EBSCO Host

Explanation: EBSCO Host is a database of scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and book reviews. The next best choice would be Google Scholar as it has similar resources. Google and Wikipedia are never a good option because their search returns are not always considered reliable.

Question 6: Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

• The teacher gave each student a printed handout, a printed worksheet, and the story.
• He wanted to race to the gym, climb the rock wall, and swim in the pool.
• Bobby had to collect rock, leaf, and weeds.
• Josey needed to have her teeth clean, her hair brushed, and her breakfast cooke

Correct Answer: B. He wanted to race to the gym, climb the rock wall, and swim in the pool.

Explanation: The correct sentence shows a parallel construction. The verbs are all written in the same tense and are followed by a prepositional phrase. The other sentences do not have adequate parallel structure.

Question 7: Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

• Hailey never wanted to see that horrible show so she said no.
• However, Camren never listened to the critics.
• But Camren did want to see it and went.
• There were terrible reviews about that show from lots of critics.

Correct Answer: B. However, Camren never listened to the critics.

Explanation: When you start a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, you must place a comma after it. There must also be commas between conjunctions and independent clauses (which is just a complete simple sentence). The remaining sentences are missing commas or are written in passive voice.

Question 8: Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

• Fred and Ginger goes to the movie together.
• Colby drove to the house and eat dinner with his girlfriend.
• Tony and he brother are very close.
• Lucy's meeting with her father was cancelled.

Correct Answer: D. Lucy's meeting with her father was cancelled.

Explanation: Here we have pronoun agreement between “Lucy” and “her”. The remaining sentences had errors in pronoun use, verb inconsistency, and subject-verb agreement.

Question 9: Which of these sentences would be a good thesis statement for the following essay prompt?

• Prompt: Write a 5-7 page argument on whether you agree or disagree with standardized testing in public schools.; Standardized testing in public schools is bad for kids because it takes too long.
• Kids shouldn't have to take standardized tests because it takes away from learning.
• Standardized testing in public schools should not be allowed because students lose class time, the tests are expensive for the schools, and the tests often have errors in them.
• Students should take standardized tests because that's the way it's always been.

Correct Answer: C. Standardized testing in public schools should not be allowed because students lose class time, the tests are expensive for the schools, and the tests often have errors in them.

Explanation: A good thesis statement has three parts: the topic (standardized testing in public schools), the writer's opinion (agree or disagree), and at least three arguable points to discuss in the essay (claims). Standardized testing in public schools (topic) should not be allowed (opinion) because students lose class time, the tests are expensive for the schools, and the tests often have errors in them (claims).

Question 10: Which of the following is the best example of using proper formal language in a paper?

• Witnesses reported that the lion fell from a stony cliff.
• A giant cat, in a dramatic swoon, lunged to its death in the abyss.
• The beast fell precipitously from the jagged and moory cliff.
• The lion unceremoniously dove from the craggy edge of the precipice.

Correct Answer: A. Witnesses reported that the lion fell from a stony cliff.

Explanation: When you are using formal language, it is important to remember NOT to sound like a thesaurus! Using words like “witnesses” instead of people or “reported” instead of “saw” give your writing a formal tone without overusing pretentious words ??

Question 11: Example of Essay Writing Section (see context for prompt)

• Many possible answers

CLICK FOR QUESTION CONTEXT

Let’s say you were given a prompt like this: For many years, there has a been a debate over whether or not students should be allowed to have their cell phones on during class. Choose a side and write your point of view.

Correct Answer: A. Many possible answers

Explanation: This question doesn't have one single correct answer, but should demonstrate your ability to think logically and structure a grammatically correct answer. "Students should not use cell phones in class because they are distracting. When a student is using a cell phone, he or she is not paying attention to the teacher. They also may be distracting their neighbors through their cell phone use. In both cases, the student is not learning about the lesson being taught. Texting on a cell phone may seem acceptable because it doesn't make a lot of noise, but when a teacher is trying to teach a lesson, he or she is looking around the classroom to make sure everyone is paying attention. When a teacher has to stop the lesson to tell someone to put away a cell phone, that is very distracting to everyone."

More CLEP College Composition (+ Modular) Study Resources

Official clep study guide.

While quite short on the study side of things, the official CLEP book is the go-to final practice test. Since this is the only official practice test available, I normally use it as my final spot check before taking the test.

REA offers a great combination of study guide and practice questions. This book functions well as the central pillar of a strong CLEP prep strategy, with resources like the Official CLEP Study Guide (above) providing a great final practice test at the end.

InstantCert Academy

The website looks like it was made before the internet, but it’s legitimately the single most useful study guide I’ve found yet. Basically it’s a series of flashcards that help you study in a fast paced and fun way.

CLEP College Composition Practice Test

After the long stretches of class time you spent in high school and possibly community college learning about the writing process, you may be less than thrilled at the idea of taking another course teaching the ins and outs of writing. For many college students, a College Composition course is a common and mandatory part of first year curriculum. However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean everyone is receptive to taking the course.

CLEP College Composition Study Guide and Flashcards

Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.

What can you do in this instance? It’s worth noting that you have options if you aren’t up for taking a College Composition course and want to free up that slot for a different class. Your first and most important option is the CLEP College Composition exam.

The CLEP is meant to evaluate your knowledge of a first-year college course subject of your choosing. Should you earn a passing score, you will earn full credit for the course and without having to take it, enabling you to devote that time slot to a class you want to take.

The CLEP College Composition exam comes in two halves: one essay question and 95 multiple choice questions, the former of which you can choose whether or not to answer. Because this exam is a bit more extensive than the others, it may be worth your while to develop a thorough study plan so you can earn the best possible score. To help you as you study, Mometrix Test Preparation has developed a CLEP College Composition practice test.

This free study tool includes CLEP College Composition practice questions covering every subject you will need to know for the real exam, including:

• Rhetorical Analysis (25 percent)
• Conventions of Standard Written English (10 percent)
• Ability to Use Source Materials (25 percent)
• Revision Skills (40 percent)

We hope this practice test will aid you as you prepare for this exam. For best results, we encourage you to use it alongside our companion CLEP College Composition study guide.

Additional Free CLEP Practice Tests

• CLEP American Government Practice Test
• CLEP American Literature Practice Test
• CLEP Analyzing Interpreting Literature Practice Test
• CLEP Biology Practice Test
• CLEP History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 Practice Test
• CLEP Human Growth and Development Practice Test
• CLEP Humanities Practice Test
• CLEP Introductory Psychology Practice Test
• CLEP Natural Science Practice Test
• CLEP Principles of Management Practice Test
• CLEP Principles of Microeconomics Practice Test
• CLEP Social Sciences and History Practice Test

• Transcript Template
• Speaking Invitations
• Career Guidance
• CLEP Resources

College Composition CLEP

The College Composition CLEP exam assesses writing skills taught in most first-year college composition courses. Give your student a leg up by encouraging him to develop his writing skills before he enters college. Students who pass this exam will earn 6 college credits and save themselves 15 weeks of class time.**

The exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions and two timed essays. Students must pass both parts to receive a passing score on the exam. This is the only exam where you have to wait for your scores in the mail, after the essays are evaluated. Start by assessing your student’s skills on the multiple choice section with these practice questions from The College Board. The Official CLEP Study Guide is a helpful resource, providing sample essays and scoring guidelines. The first essay is based on the student’s own experience, reading or observations. The second essay, according to College Board, will require candidates to develop a position by building an argument in which they synthesize information from two provided sources, which they must cite.

Students are given 30 minutes to write one essay, and 40 to read the sources provided and write the second. The instructions will be similar to this:

First Essay: “To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.” Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Second Essay: You have 40 minutes to read the information provided from two sources and to compose an essay responding to the topic. Use the information write an argument for or against the issue presented. Your response must include both sources and use correct documentation whether you summarize, paraphrase, and/or quote from the articles. Include the writer’s last name, the title of the work, or any other reference  to clearly attribute the information to its writer.

Preparing for this exam will also help students prepare for other upcoming essays such as those for standardized exams (ACT/SAT), scholarships, and college admission essays. It’s a win-win approach to education, making the most use of his time. Check out the Strategies to turn any essay from Good to Great below.

Practice writing 5-paragraph essays with the free online website Learning Express that can be accessed if your public library subscribes to the online database called Learning Express. Look for “Learning Express”, then the “College Prep” tab, then “ACT Prep” and “ ACT Writing Practice ”.  Here is Anoka County Library’s Link that is open to non-subscribers (as of today!). Another good resource to prep this exam is to sign up for the SAT Question of the Day on the College Board site. A question will be e-mailed to you each day. The grammar questions are similar to what you need to know for this exam.  I would encourage your 7 th grader to start receiving these.

Curriculum Suggestions

We completed a year-long course with WriteShop I and finished with The Least You should Know about English (forms A, B, or C are the same, just different practice questions). I also used this list of 501 writing prompts for practice on writing impromptu essay.

Other recommended curriculum:   Lightening Literature. When studying World History study, consider LLATL

Strategies to Turn Any Essay from Good to Great

Information provided by EssayEdge . Permission to reprint granted.

  Strategy 1: Smaller paragraphs are better paragraphs

• There is no single correct number of paragraphs – 5 does not have to be the magic number.
• Don’t try to cram too much content in a single paragraph – have a single focus in that paragraph. No paragraph should be longer than 25% of the page.
• Sometimes an idea needs two paragraphs to fully develop. That’s okay!

Why is this great? Small paragraphs are positive because:

• The are more visually appealing and digestible (good first impression).
• They force you to make a point quickly and be succinct.
• They keep the energy of the essay up – the reader won’t get bogged down in your writing.

Strategy 2: Be specific and avoid generalizations

• Ask yourself: How is your story/answer unique? Avoid statements that everyone writes: “I want t o become a doctor because I love science and want to save lives.” This would probably true for all medical students. You want to stand out and put a face on your essay. If everyone can write it, you will struggle to stand out. Try: “As a pediatric rheumatologist, I will research treatments for children suffering from juvenile arthritis.” This statement is likely connected to you and only you. A very good thing. It helps your essay pop and your writing stand out.
• Add some details: Ask yourself – Is this as specified as I can be. “My volunteer experience has opened my eyes to the difficulties faced by the impoverished” is too general. Instead, try: “Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity motivated me to … “ Have a finished essay that can only be written by you and you alone.

Why is this great?

• It will help your essay stand out. It takes your essay from a pile of papers to having a personality.
• Essays that are specific tend to have fewer clichés and you want to avoid those.
• You’ll save space by not stating the obvious. Ask yourself: Is that content absolutely vital? If not, dump it. Be detailed to be more effective.

Strategy 3: Improve your Word Choice

• Don’t just avoiding generalizations but make your writing more descriptive. “I walked up to the counter and asked to speak with a manager.” Change to: “I swaggered up to the counter and demanded to speak with a manager.” Two words changed, but the picture painted is entirely different. “After adding the chemical to the small container, steam began to come out the top.” Can be improved to: “After pouring sulfuric acid into the beaker, steam began billowing out the top.” This one provides more information, uses fewer words and creates a vivid picture.
• Use Adjectives and Adverbs sparingly.  “I was extremely tired and my legs were very sore after completing the challenging workout.” Blah, blah. How about: “I finished the 10-mile run exhausted and with cramped legs.” Use better nouns and verbs, not just throw in more adverbs and adjectives. More descriptive without adding length.
• Banish ‘very’ from your essay.
• Better word choice, especially active verbs and descriptive nouns make your writing more engaging and compelling. You want them fully engaged and interested in reading, not just wanting to get through it.
• You will use fewer forms of the verb “to be.” Anything you can do to cut down on their use will likely make your essay more engaging.
• Better nouns and verbs help you save space; make every word counts.

More tips are available at EssayEdge.com

* Resource: Many colleges award credit based on the American Council on Education recommendation, which is six credits for the College Composition CLEP. Tuition and fees at Minnesota colleges range from $180 to $1,550 per credit hour. Multiplied by 6 credits equals a significant savings!

**Always check your individual college’s CLEP policy for variations in the number of credits awarded and their CLEP course equivalency chart.

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Good to Know: CLEP Essays

While all CLEP exams are multiple choice, a few exams have essays- some are required and some are optional. In this post, we’ll do a quick run-down of where you’ll find essays.

These must be typed! If your teen is not a proficient typist, you’ll want to work on that prior to attempting a CLEP essay. I used Typing.com in our homeschool. It’s easy and free.

No formatting options. No underline, italics, spell-check, etc. Everything is in plain text.

Optional Essays

Optional CLEP essays are unique, and families should understand their place in the CLEP exam score report.

Think of the essay as optional for the COLLEGE, not for you. This means that CLEP testing centers can facilitate an extra essay for a college if the college wants. You as the test taker don’t have to opportunity to take optional exams unless they are arranged in advance.

The  American Literature ,  Analyzing and Interpreting Literature ,  College Composition Modular  and  English Literature  exams all have optional essays that some colleges and universities may require. Whether a student needs to take an optional essay for the above subjects is up to the discretion of the institution they are or will be attending.

Unlike the required essays, optional essays are NOT assigned or graded by The College Board. These essays are “extras” that any college or university can send to be added to your exam for test day. The standardized portion is graded per usual by The College Board, and your essay is sent back to the institution for grading. There is no way to take the optional exam unless your target college agrees to provide it and grade it.

It is not common for colleges to ask for optional essays. In over two decades of reading CLEP policy, I’ve only encountered 3 colleges that ask for optional essays. Liberty University, a popular choice among HS4CC families, does require an optional essay for Analyzing and Interpreting Literature.

Required Essays

  College Composition  exam requires test takers to write two essays . These essays are part of your score report and graded by The College Board. Since the essay requires additional time for grading, a student’s score report is NOT immediately available at the completion of the test.

In addition to the multiple-choice section, the College Composition exam includes a mandatory essay section that tests skills of argumentation, analysis, and synthesis. This section of the exam consists of two essays, both of which measure a test taker’s ability to write clearly and effectively. The first essay is based on the test taker’s reading, observation, or experience, while the second requires test takers to synthesize and cite two sources that are provided. Test takers have 30 minutes to write the first essay and 40 minutes to read the two sources and write the second essay. The essays must be typed on the computer.

First Essay: Directions 

Write an essay in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement provided. Support your discussion with specific reasons and examples from your reading, experience, or observations. 

Second Essay: Directions 

This assignment requires you to write a coherent essay in which you synthesize the two sources provided. Synthesis refers to combining the sources and your position to form a cohesive, supported argument. You must develop a position and incorporate both sources.  You must cite the   sources whether you are paraphrasing or quoting.  Refer to each source by the author’s last name, the title, or by any other means that adequately identifies it.

Essay Scoring Guidelines

Readers will assign scores based on the following scoring guide.

6 – A 6 essay demonstrates a  high degree of competence and sustained control , although it may have a few minor errors.

A typical essay in this category

• addresses the writing task very effectively
• develops ideas thoroughly, using well-chosen reasons, examples, or details for support
• is clearly-focused and well-organized
• demonstrates superior facility with language, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
• demonstrates strong control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics, though it may contain minor errors

5 – A 5 essay demonstrates a generally high degree of competence, although it will have occasional lapses in quality.

A typical essay in this category:

• addresses the writing task effectively
• develops ideas consistently, using appropriate reasons, examples, or details for support
• is focused and organized
• demonstrates facility with language, using appropriate vocabulary and some sentence variety
• demonstrates consistent control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics, though it may contain minor errors

4 – A 4 essay demonstrates  competence , with some errors and lapses in quality.

• addresses the writing task adequately
• develops ideas adequately, using generally relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
• is generally focused and organized
• demonstrates competence with language, using adequate vocabulary and minimal sentence variety
• demonstrates adequate control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics; errors do not interfere with meaning

3 – A 3 essay demonstrates  limited competence .

A typical essay in this category exhibits one or more of the following weaknesses:

• addresses the writing task, but may fail to sustain a focus or viewpoint
• develops ideas unevenly, often using assertions rather than relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
• is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
• displays frequent problems in the use of language, using unvaried diction and syntax
• demonstrates some control of grammar, usage, and mechanics, but with occasional shifts and inconsistencies

2 – A 2 essay is  seriously flawed .

• addresses the writing task in a seriously limited or unclear manner
• develops ideas thinly, providing few or no relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
• is unfocused and/or disorganized
• displays frequent serious language errors that may interfere with meaning
• demonstrates a lack of control of standard grammar, usage, and mechanics

1 – A 1 essay is  fundamentally deficient .

• does not address the writing task in a meaningful way
• does not develop ideas with relevant reasons, examples, or details
• displays a fundamental lack of control of language that may seriously interfere with meaning

0 – Off topic.

• Provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic, is written in a language other than English, merely copies the prompt, or consists of only keystroke characters.

* For the purposes of scoring, synthesis refers to combining the sources and the writer’s position to form a cohesive, supported argument.

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Author: Jennifer Cook-DeRosa, M.S.

Executive Director of Homeschooling for College Credit View All Posts

2 thoughts on “ Good to Know: CLEP Essays ”

Hi, Jennifer!

I look forward to reading each article you send. Today’s was especially timely, as Jonathan is currently preparing to take the Comp CLEP! ☺️

As always, I’m thankful for all you do! May the Lord bless you, Sharon

Ohhh Sharon, I’m rooting for him- keep me posted!! And thank you as always! -Jennifer

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English CLEP Essay Topics

Discussion in ' CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit ' started by retake , Mar 12, 2009 .

retake New Member

I'll be taking either the English Comp CLEP w/ essay or the Freshman Comp CLEP w/ essay in a couple of weeks. I've been practicing writing five paragraph essays on random topics. However, I was wondering if anyone who took these exams can post what their essay topics were. That way, I can get a better idea of what to expect. I'm a little afraid of this exam, because my results on the Peterson's practice tests have been poor. I've been scoring in the low forty percentile, while my results on the IC flashcards have been 90%+. I'm also a little concerned about the essay due to my inability to think of things to write about. This is especially difficult for me when it comes to very general topics. I guess I'm just uncreative. Anyway, I would appreciate some example topics.  

Nobody? Okay, I'll start with a topic that I heard. From 123collegedegree.com: How computers have affected the way we work today vs. 100 years ago.  

bazonkers New Member

I took the GRE exam a few days before taking this exam. I will say that the essay on this CLEP exam is EXACTLY the same kind of essay you get on the GRE in the Issue-Perspective Section. You obviously won't know what the essay is before hand but you will have a much easier time finding sample GRE essays on the internet. There are plenty of tips for writing this essay as well. Here is the official list of GRE essay topics. These should give you a good idea of what to expect on the CLEP exam. http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=b63ce7b9edfb5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=06a7e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD That url seems all crazy and I wonder if it'll work in long term. If not, this is how you find it: Go to www.ets.org Click on "GRE" in the Tests column In the Test Takers section, click on "Practice for a GRE Test" Click on "Prepare for the General Test" Click on the "Writing Topics" tab Click on "Issue Topics" in the "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" Task section  

Ian Anderson Active Member

retake said: ↑ Anyway, I would appreciate some example topics. Click to expand...

retake said: ↑ ......................I'm also a little concerned about the essay due to my inability to think of things to write about. This is especially difficult for me when it comes to very general topics. I guess I'm just uncreative. ..........................QUOTE] I use a writng formula that has worked well for me over the years - both for college and for business writing. A very similar technique is described in: Berk, Joseph & Susan (1991). Managing Effectively - A Handbook for First-Time Managers . New York: Sterling Publishing Company. (See Chaper 11, pp. 99 - 109). Click to expand...

Simeon2009 New Member

Hi there, I don't know if you've taken the exam yet, but here are some sample essay topics that were in the study guides I used: - "Proponents of term-limit legislation, which limits the amount of time elected officials can serve, argue that such laws make politicians less beholden to lobbyists and donors and mandate an influx of fresh ideas to the political process. Opponents, however, argue that, by increasing the number of inexperienced legislators, such laws will actually give more power to lobbyists, fund-raisers, and long-term unelected government bureaucrats." Write an argument in which you discuss whose argument, the proponents of term limits or its opponents, you find more persuasive. Explain your position using reasons and/or examples taken from your own experiences, philosophy, or reading. ******************************* Here's another topic: - There is an old French saying: "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Do you think it is true in some instances, but not in others? Using specific examples, write an essay explaining your position, drawing on your personal experience, observations, or books you have read for support. Hope this helps!  

cframe New Member

Essay topics My HS son practiced using these online resources: http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/ Once there (you may need to sign up for a free account), choose College Prep and then either ACT Preparation or SAT Preparation. From there, select Writing Practice Tests. AP and CLEP are both put put by Collegeboard so the content of the exams can be very similar. My HS son practiced using these prompts and passed.  

Neuman23 member

I'm a little afraid of this exam, because my results on the Peterson's practice tests have been poor. I've been scoring in the low forty percentile, while my results on the IC flashcards have been 90%+. I'm also a little concerned about the essay due to my inability to think of things to write about. This is especially difficult for me when it comes to very general topics. I guess I'm just uncreative.  

cristina02 New Member

My sister who graduated Bachelor of Science and Education major in English took up that exam. She told me that it was difficult yet she still passed the exam. I remember she said that her essay was all about education on this days generation.  

retake said: ↑ I'll be taking either the English Comp CLEP w/ essay or the Freshman Comp CLEP w/ essay in a couple of weeks. ............... Click to expand...

Daniel Eldredge New Member

If you have a lot of problems writing essays, you can use my advice. I usually read many essays on various topics to find interesting ideas for my own essay. At https://studydriver.com/walt-whitman-essay/ you can find an essay on any topic or just order an essay. It is very simple and convenient. Usually, here I read various essays about poets, such as Walt Whitman. Everything is very high quality and professionally written. Personally recommend.  

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Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. as a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. what lessons have you learned in life thus far what will your classmates learn from you in short, how has your lived experience shaped you  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (required for all applicants. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. we believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about, 3. duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community., 4. we recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. why is this community meaningful to you you may define community however you like. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place, things to consider: think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. you can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community, why were you inspired to act what did you learn from your effort how did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Scoring CLEP Essays

College Composition and Spanish with Writing essays are graded by college professors. Below are additional facts about essay scoring:

• Essays are scored by readers who are college faculty members, not by computer programs that search for patterns or word pairings.
• Each reader participates in an online training course and passes a certification test before the scoring session.
• Scoring rubrics and guidelines are designed to measure college-level skills and knowledge.
• Test takers respond to two essay topics, spending approximately 45 minutes on each. Each essay is scored by at least two separate readers.

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College Composition Essay

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