I have written 2 versions for this essay, the first of which is more of an experiment (and I'm leaning more towards that one), and the second is a bit more traditional.
Please let me know what you think, which of these essays should I improve and which to discard, and any suggestions as to how to improve (especially structure-wise).
The prompt for both of these is:
Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (100 to 250 words)
Here are the essays -
V1 (363 words):Hey you,
We haven't been introduced yet, so be you a girl, a guy, a vegan, or even a Pastafarian believing in the Flying Spaghetti Monster - know that we'll get along just great. What I want to share before we officially become roommates, though, is a very important piece of information regarding myself:
I live by the Iguana Rule.
"What's this Iguana Rule?" you may ask, and "Why should I even care?". To answer the former, let me explain what the Iguana Rule is and how it came to be - the Iguana Rule was first conceived as an alternative to the well known Five Second Rule, except that instead of a grace perioud of 5 seconds you may only pick up a piece of food you have dropped on the ground if a live iguana had not stepped on it. This may sound weird, or as just an excuse to be disgusting. It's actually very serious business - especially in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where life-endangering encounters with hungry iguanas are common. This rule was created in order to prevent useless loss of limbs and even lives, stemming from the fact that iguanas can step on your Dorito faster than you can blink, daring you to try and snatch it back while looking at you mockingly with those piercing, cold-blooded eyes.
In other parts of the world the Iguana Rule isn't as relevant for obvious reasons.
To answer the latter, maybe this hypothetical Iguana Rule was invented solely for the sake of this letter, trying to grab your attention, future roommie, and tell you this - if you can bare to live with someone who believes in that silly Rule, then you can bare living with me. Know that I'm a pretty ordinary guy, and that the only weird things I actually do are collecting juggling balls (I own over 100 different ones) and coins (exactly 1643); I cook for a dozen even if I'm the only one eating; and my pet peeves are high heels and mornings.
... and if no one is watching and I drop a Dorito on the floor, I might cite the Iguana Rule and pick it up.
Yours,
Oriyan.
V2 (266 words):Dear roomate,
Before meeting for the first time I'd like you to get to know me a bit better, so you can have a better idea of who your future roommie is. First, let's start with the most important facts:
- I live by the Iguana Rule (basically a variation of the Five-second Rule involving live iguanas rather than keeping time).
- I own over 100 different juggling balls, about 200 fantasy & sci-fi novels, and exactly 1643 coins from 47 different countries.
- I hate only three things with a passion: cockroaches, high heels, and mornings.
If you can put up with my little quirks, then know that being my roommate also comes with several advantages -
I cook with a passion and make the meanest meat empanadas you will have ever tried, and once a week I will cook for us my favorite dish, Shakshuka (an Israeli dish based on eggs and tomatoes). I love playing Guitar Hero, meaning we can jam together for hours if you're up for the challenge. As my roommate and friend, we will also most likely discuss one of my three favorite subjects: (1) Juggling Physics (or "Where the heck did that ball come from to hit me?") (2) Sweet Nostalgia (or "Remember that cartoon thing with the mice that had abs and lived on mars? That was awesome") (3) Ethical Dilemmas (or "Should I pick up that Dorito I just dropped? I don't see any iguanas...")
Surely we'll get along no matter what, so let's have fun as new roommates, as friends, and as Stanford freshmen.
Yours,
Oriyan.
Please let me know what you think, which of these essays should I improve and which to discard, and any suggestions as to how to improve (especially structure-wise).
The prompt for both of these is:
Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better. (100 to 250 words)
Here are the essays -
V1 (363 words):Hey you,
We haven't been introduced yet, so be you a girl, a guy, a vegan, or even a Pastafarian believing in the Flying Spaghetti Monster - know that we'll get along just great. What I want to share before we officially become roommates, though, is a very important piece of information regarding myself:
I live by the Iguana Rule.
"What's this Iguana Rule?" you may ask, and "Why should I even care?". To answer the former, let me explain what the Iguana Rule is and how it came to be - the Iguana Rule was first conceived as an alternative to the well known Five Second Rule, except that instead of a grace perioud of 5 seconds you may only pick up a piece of food you have dropped on the ground if a live iguana had not stepped on it. This may sound weird, or as just an excuse to be disgusting. It's actually very serious business - especially in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where life-endangering encounters with hungry iguanas are common. This rule was created in order to prevent useless loss of limbs and even lives, stemming from the fact that iguanas can step on your Dorito faster than you can blink, daring you to try and snatch it back while looking at you mockingly with those piercing, cold-blooded eyes.
In other parts of the world the Iguana Rule isn't as relevant for obvious reasons.
To answer the latter, maybe this hypothetical Iguana Rule was invented solely for the sake of this letter, trying to grab your attention, future roommie, and tell you this - if you can bare to live with someone who believes in that silly Rule, then you can bare living with me. Know that I'm a pretty ordinary guy, and that the only weird things I actually do are collecting juggling balls (I own over 100 different ones) and coins (exactly 1643); I cook for a dozen even if I'm the only one eating; and my pet peeves are high heels and mornings.
... and if no one is watching and I drop a Dorito on the floor, I might cite the Iguana Rule and pick it up.
Yours,
Oriyan.
V2 (266 words):Dear roomate,
Before meeting for the first time I'd like you to get to know me a bit better, so you can have a better idea of who your future roommie is. First, let's start with the most important facts:
- I live by the Iguana Rule (basically a variation of the Five-second Rule involving live iguanas rather than keeping time).
- I own over 100 different juggling balls, about 200 fantasy & sci-fi novels, and exactly 1643 coins from 47 different countries.
- I hate only three things with a passion: cockroaches, high heels, and mornings.
If you can put up with my little quirks, then know that being my roommate also comes with several advantages -
I cook with a passion and make the meanest meat empanadas you will have ever tried, and once a week I will cook for us my favorite dish, Shakshuka (an Israeli dish based on eggs and tomatoes). I love playing Guitar Hero, meaning we can jam together for hours if you're up for the challenge. As my roommate and friend, we will also most likely discuss one of my three favorite subjects: (1) Juggling Physics (or "Where the heck did that ball come from to hit me?") (2) Sweet Nostalgia (or "Remember that cartoon thing with the mice that had abs and lived on mars? That was awesome") (3) Ethical Dilemmas (or "Should I pick up that Dorito I just dropped? I don't see any iguanas...")
Surely we'll get along no matter what, so let's have fun as new roommates, as friends, and as Stanford freshmen.
Yours,
Oriyan.