How to Write a Cheerleading Captain Essay

When a coach selects the captain of a cheerleading squad, often he will ask for an essay, a crucial factor in his decision-making process. While a cheerleading captain's fitness, leadership skills and enthusiasm are all crucial to her role, being able to express these things to others is important as well. A well-organized, concretely expressed essay will show the coach that you're the best fit for the job.

Instructions

    • 1

      Write your opening paragraph, beginning by explaining what cheerleading means to you and why you want to be captain of the squad. Do you have a particular vision of what cheerleading means that sets you apart? Do you have special experience or unique skills? Be concrete. If there's a personal and meaningful experience you have had connected with cheerleading, share it, but be concise.

    • 2

      Pick two or three topics for the body of your essay and plan a paragraph or two for each one. You might want to discuss your leadership abilities, your devotion to training, or experiences you have had that have prepared you for the role of captain. An effective strategy for one paragraph might be to concede a weakness you have, showing that you're aware of it and take steps to overcome it.

    • 3

      Use examples as you write. In good writing, the rule is always, "Show, don't tell." If you decide to write a paragraph about leadership, you won't be able to think of more than a sentence if you "tell" about your leadership skills. So, don't just say, "I have excellent leadership potential"; show how you have exemplified that. Maybe you have led teams before in more informal situations, such as in summer camp. Or maybe you're just used to being in charge of your little brother. Whatever your experience, "show" it -- tell brief stories, provide examples and use imagery.

    • 4

      Use positive language. Demonstrate that you're fully convinced of everything you're saying. Don't say, "I feel I will make a great captain." Instead say, "I'm sure that I will make a great captain because ...." Make sure your tone is positive and optimistic; you're writing about cheerleading, after all. Show that you enjoy what you do, not just that you like to boss people around.

    • 5

      Leave a strong image in your reader's mind with your conclusion. Ask yourself how your last sentence can be memorable and make your essay stand out from the others. You should briefly summarize what you have already said, but don't limit yourself to this. Instead of saying you'll be the hardest-working captain ever seen, end with an image of your hard work. If an after-school job brought you out into the hot sun to sweat miserably for hours every day, and you never missed work or came late, convince the coach you'll bring the same commitment to being captain of the cheerleading squad.