The main body of a narrative essay is the most important part because it tells the whole story. This is where you state the facts, provide examples, give details, and guide the reader through the plot. According to the five-paragraph essay structure, it has three body paragraphs, but this may depend on the length and word count. File a claim. Provide evidence of the grounds for the complaint. Explain to the warrant how the grounds support the claim. Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limitations of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. Choose a topic that interests you. Apply the adage “write what you know” to your college essay: think about what makes you unique, then apply that knowledge to your broader theme. Because the words in the Common App essay are long and have few formal instructions, organizing a response can seem intimidating. Fortunately, at CollegeVine, we've developed a simple approach to crafting strong, unique answers. This section explains how to: 1 Think, 2 Organize, Write a Common Application essay. Here are some tips to help you get started. Start early. Don't leave it until the last minute. Give yourself time when you don't have other homework or extracurricular activities waiting for you.