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How to Write a Video Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide and Tips

• by Joseph Kenas
• January 5, 2024
• Writing Tips

The video essay has become an increasingly popular way of presenting ideas and concepts in the age of the internet and YouTube. In this guide, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a video essay and tips on how to make it.

While it is easy to write a normal essay, the structure of the video essay is a bit of a mystery, owing to the newness of the term.

However, in this article, we are going to define what is a video essay, how to write a video essay, and also How to present a video essay well in class.

What is a Video Essay?

A video essay is a video that delves into a certain subject, concept, person, or thesis. Video essays are difficult to characterize because they are a relatively new form, yet they are recognized regardless. Simply, video essays are visual compilations that try to persuade, educate, or criticize.

These days, there are many creatives making video essays on topics like politics, music, movies, and pop culture.

With these, essays have become increasingly popular in the era of video media such as Youtube, Vimeo, and others.

Video essays, like photo and traditional essays, tell a story or make a point.

The distinction is that video essays provide information through visuals.

When creating a video essay, you can incorporate video, images, text, music, and/or narration to make it dynamic and successful.

When you consider it, many music videos are actually video essays. 

Since making videos for YouTube and other video sites has grown so popular, many professors are now assigning video essays instead of regular essays to their students. So the question is, how do you write a video essay script?

Steps on How to Write a Video Essay Script

Unscripted videos cost time, effort, and are unpleasant to watch. The first thing you should do before making a video writes a script, even if it’s only a few lines long. Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of writing a script. All you need is a starting point.

A video script is important for anyone who wants to film a video with more confidence and clarity. They all contain comparable forms of information, such as who is speaking, what is said, where, and other important details.

While there are no precise criteria that a video essay must follow, it appears that most renowned video essayists are adhering to some steps as the form gets more popular and acknowledged online. 

1. Write a Thesis

Because a video essayist can handle a wide range of themes, video analysis essays lack defined bounds. The majority of essays, on the other hand, begin with a thesis.

A thesis is a statement, claim, theme, or concept that the rest of the essay is built around. A thesis might be broad, including a variety of art forms. Other theses can be quite detailed.

A good essay will almost always have a point to express. Every video analysis essay should have a central idea, or thesis, that ties the film together.

2. Write a Summary

Starting with a brief allows you and your team to document the answers to the most pressing project concerns. It ensures that everyone participating in the video production is on the same page.

This will avoid problems of mixing ideas or getting stuck when you are almost completing the project.

3. Choose a Proper Environment and Appropriate Tools

When it comes to writing your script, use any tool you’re familiar with, such as pen and paper. Also, find a writing atmosphere that is relaxing for you, where you can concentrate and be creative.

Consider what you don’t have to express out loud when you’re writing. Visual elements will be used to communicate a large portion of your content.

4. Use a Template

When you don’t have to reinvent the process every time you sit down, you get speed and consistency.

It’s using your cumulative knowledge of what works and doing it over and over again. Don’t start with a blank page when I sit down to create a script- try to use an already made template. 

5. Be Conversational

You want scripts that use language that is specific and targeted. Always avoid buzzwords, cliches, and generalizations. You want your audience to comprehend you clearly without rolling their eyes.

6. Be Narrative

Make careful to use a strong story structure when you’re trying to explain anything clearly. Ensure your script has a beginning, middle, and end, no matter how short it is. This will provide a familiar path for the viewers of your video script.

7. Edit Your Script

Make each word work for a certain position on the page when you choose your words.

They must serve a purpose.

After you’ve completed your first draft, go over your script and review it.

Then begin editing, reordering, and trimming. Remove as much as possible.

Consider cutting it if it isn’t helping you achieve your goal.

 8. Read Your Script Loudly

Before recording or going on in your process, it’s recommended to read your script aloud at least once. Even if you won’t be the one reading it, this is a good method to ensure that your message is clear. It’s a good idea to be away from people so you may practice in peace.

Words that flow well on paper don’t always flow well when spoken aloud. You might need to make some adjustments based on how tough certain phrases are to pronounce- it’s a lot easier to change it now than when recording.

9. Get Feedback

Sometimes it is very difficult to point out your mistakes in any piece of writing. Therefore, if you want a perfect video essay script, it is advisable to seek feedback from people who are not involved in the project.

Keep in mind that many will try to tear your work apart and make you feel incompetent. However, it can also be an opportunity to make your video better.

The best way to gather feedback is to assemble a group of people and read your script to them. Watch their facial reaction and jot own comments as you read. Make sure not to defend your decisions. Only listen to comments and ask questions to clarify.

After gathering feedback, decide on what points to include in your video essay. Also, you can ask someone else to read it to you so that you can listen to its follow.

A video essay can be a good mode to present all types of essays, especially compare and contrast essays as you can visually contrast the two subjects of your content.

How to make a Good Video from your Essay Script

You can make a good video from your script if you ask yourself the following questions;

• What is the video’s purpose? What is the purpose of the video in the first place?
• Who is this video’s intended audience?
• What is the subject of our video? (The more precise you can be, the better.) 
• What are the most important points to remember from the video?- What should viewers take away from it?

If the context had multiple characters, present their dialogues well in the essay to bring originality. If there is a need to involve another person, feel free to incorporate them.

How to Present a Video Essay Well in Class

• Write down keywords or main ideas in a notecard; do not write details- writing main ideas will help you remember your points when presenting. This helps you scan through your notecard for information.
• Practice- in presentations it is easy to tell who has practiced and who hasn’t. For your video essay to grab your class and professor’s attention, practice is the key. Practice in front of your friends and family asking for feedback and try to improve.
• Smile at your audience- this is one of the most important points when presenting anything in front of an audience. A smiley face draws the attention of the audience making them smile in return thus giving you confidence.
• Walk to your seat with a smile- try not to be disappointed even if you are not applauded. Be confident that you have aced your video presentation.

Other video presentations tips include;

• Making eye contact
• Have a good posture
• Do not argue with the audience 
• Look at everyone around the room, not just one audience or one spot
• Rember to use your hand and facial expressions to make a point.

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

How to write a YouTube script that engages your audience: The ultimate guide

What type of content do you primarily create?

There’s no beating around the bush: if you want to take your YouTube video production to the next level, you need to be writing scripts for every video you publish. It’ll make your videos more consistent and more polished—two things that drive up viewership and attract new subscribers.

If you’ve never written a script before, don’t rule yourself out. This step-by-step guide teaches you how to write a YouTube script from scratch, complete with five bonus tips to make your outlines more engaging for viewers.

What is a YouTube script?

A YouTube script is a document that lays out what you’ll say in your video. Instead of just hitting record and saying whatever enters your brain, reading from a video script will ultimately help you produce better videos because you’ll be prepared. The document will serve as a list of key points you want to cover. 

There are a number of ways to write a YouTube script, depending on your presentation style. If you’re an experienced writer who can deliver a line naturally, writing your script verbatim will work well. If you prefer a more off-the-cuff delivery, a summary of the main points could be all you need. However you do it, a script will make your delivery smoother, more logically consistent, and much easier to edit.

3 reasons why you need a YouTube video script

Now we know what a YouTube script is, let’s take a look at why you should include them in your pre-production process. 

Better engagement

You didn’t start a YouTube channel to shout into the void. To get people interacting with your videos, you need to make them engaging. That’s where preparation comes into play.

A script allows you to plan out a hook that makes people want to watch, a beat-by-beat narrative that keeps them watching, and questions and CTAs that get them to take action. The longer they watch and the more they engage with your content, the higher your video will climb in YouTube’s ranks.

More impact

Spending time on your YouTube script allows you to dive deeper into specific topics. Research might change the way you approach the subject. Using statistics and real-life stories to corroborate your point can help you make a stronger impact with your videos. 

📺 Start learning: How do teleprompters work and do I need one?

Consistency

People feel more comfortable when they know what to expect from someone. If you’re a creator that publishes vastly different types of content each time you upload to YouTube , people won’t understand you or know what to expect, which could deep them from subscribing to your channel.

But if you create a video script template and use it for every new video, your content creation process will follow the same workflow and result in consistent videos—not just in terms of quality, but outline and structure too. 

How to write a YouTube script in 5 easy steps

• Identify your target audience
• Create an outline
• Define your hook
• Incorporate visual cues
• Practice your script and get feedback 

1. Identify your target audience

Before you put pen to paper, you need to know who you’re talking to in your YouTube content. Start by outlining your target audience—this will guide you when writing a script because you’ll have a better understanding of what they need to hear. 

Key things to keep in mind about your target viewers:

• Age, gender, and location
• Challenges or pain points
• Goals and motivations

Let’s put that into practice and say you’re a skincare content creator who is producing a YouTube video about skincare routines. If you didn’t know your audience inside out, you’d likely take a generic route and talk to people similar to yourself.

But if you know that your ideal viewer is a premenopausal woman who is suffering with breakouts because her hormones are changing, you’d write a completely different script—one with a much higher chance of not only reaching your audience, but engaging them too. 

2. Create an outline

Now that you know who you’re talking to, it’s time to start drafting your script. The document doesn’t have to be anywhere near video-ready yet. Your goal at this stage is to just move away from the blank page and jot down some bullet points to weave into your YouTube script. 

Start with some keyword research to understand the words someone would search for to find your video. For example: if you’re creating a YouTube video around the topic of walking for fat loss, your keyword research might indicate you should talk about the following topics in your script: 

• Why walking helps with fat loss
• How to calculate your step count target
• Tips to increase your steps 

From there, you can start to organize the talking points into sections. This will make it easier for you to cover a point in detail before moving onto the next, rather than jumping back and forth and making it much harder for viewers to follow.

3. Define your hook

Any good script has a strong hook. YouTube viewers have a plethora of videos to watch, and you need something to catch someone’s eye and convince them to watch yours.

The problem is: you don’t have long. The average viewer’s attention span is just over eight seconds , so your YouTube script needs to start off with a strong hook; something that:

• Piques someone’s interest
• Sparks an emotional response
• Resonates with your ideal viewer’s goals or challenges

Take this intro to Steven Bartlett’s vlog, for example. He introduces the video with a quick rundown of what his week looks like, complete with video clips of city skylines, him sleeping in cars, and him talking onstage to a theater full of people. It’s exciting, and viewers will know this video is for them within just a few seconds.

‎4. Incorporate visual cues

A video script isn’t just a place for you to jot down what someone will hear when they tune into your YouTube video. The best YouTube script templates have visual cues to marry the audio to what a viewer sees on screen, such as:

• Callouts or annotations 
• Transitions from one scene to another 
• B-roll to illustrate what you’re talking about (e.g. if you’re talking about dirt bikes, stock video footage of someone riding a bike) 

This process is made easy with Descript. Once you’ve written your YouTube video script and recorded the video footage, you can add transitions, B-roll, and even sound effects without leaving the script.

5. Practice your script and get feedback

The first draft won’t be the best one—that’s normal. Spend some time playing around with your script’s structure, language, and hook before you sit down to record. It’ll save any “Oh, I wish I said that instead!” moments during the editing process. 

Read your video script out loud to pick out any phrases that don’t sound right. If an idea pops into your head as you read, incorporate it into the video script and read it again.

Get friends and family—or even better, someone who already watches your YouTube channel—to take one last pass over your script. These people know who you are and what you sound like, so they’re the best ones to pick out any inconsistencies in your script and make sure your personality is still there. 

5 bonus tips and tricks to write a good YouTube script

Write in a conversational tone.

The YouTube creators who go viral and build loyal audiences do it because their followers can connect with them. That’s easier to do when your audience can easily understand what you’re saying. Big words and complicated jargon can turn viewers off—instead, write your script as if you’re explaining something to a friend.

A good way to judge whether your script will go over people’s heads is by using a writing assistant like Hemingway Editor, which rates the reading level of your writing. Aim for Grade 6 as a best practice, but don’t be afraid to adjust this based on your audience. If you’re creating kids’ videos, for example, you’d want a lower grade, whereas if you’re talking to founders about complex finance topics, you’d likely aim for a higher one.

Open a curiosity gap

A curiosity gap is a statement that makes viewers want to learn more, and it’s key to winning your audience’s interest and keeping them watching. Start your video with a question or a surprising statement, then keep opening more curiosity gaps throughout the video once the original question is satisfied. Be specific, but don’t give everything away too soon—you want to leave your audience wanting more.

Use pattern interrupts

A pattern interrupt is a change in language style that breaks your viewer’s thought pattern. If a section of your video script is too monotone, a viewer might know what’s coming next. But if you throw a pattern interrupt into the mix, it shocks them and makes them more engaged—which could make them less likely to click away from your video. 

Include a call to action

A call to action (CTA) tells someone what to do after watching your video. Whether you make money on YouTube or you’re just trying to build your audience, there are specific things you probably want your audience to do for you—and you need to be obvious with your ask.

In the outro of your YouTube script, be explicit about what the viewer should do. That might be:

• Subscribe to your YouTube channel
• Tune into a video playlist
• Follow you on social media 
• Join your email list
• Visit the website of the brand that’s sponsoring your video

⚡  Pro tip: When you publish your video, add cards anywhere you’ve put a CTA, and an end card at the end of your video. These features allow you to show links and suggested videos so you can make your CTA more effective.

Write short sentences

You want viewers to hang on every word you say. If your script is littered with lengthy sentences, you’ll run the risk of not only confusing viewers, but losing their attention. Keep sentences short and to the point. It might look blunt when those shorter sentences are written down, but they come across much more naturally when you read from your script.

⚡️ Pro tip: We’re all guilty of using words like “um,” “uh”, and “like” in our daily speech. Filler Word Removal is an AI-powered tool that’s available in Descript. It’ll automatically find those unnecessary words and remove them from your video—without having to search for them yourself. 

‎Repurpose your script

A YouTube script takes time and effort to create, but it doesn’t have to go to waste. Instead of throwing your script into the trash once you’ve used it to record a YouTube video, repurpose the document to get more mileage out of your content. For example, you could:

• Post the video script on your blog and embed the YouTube video
• Use snippets from the script as social media captions
• Add the script or outline into your YouTube video description

The YouTube video description use case, in particular, can help you reach more people on the video sharing platform. YouTube has its own search algorithm that connects viewers with new videos that are most relevant to their search query. If you’ve got keywords in your script and you add them to your YouTube video description , you’ll increase the odds of appearing in YouTube search results for those queries.

Create high-quality YouTube video scripts with Descript

The most successful YouTubers invest in tools that help them be more productive and produce high quality content. Descript checks both of those boxes, making it the ultimate tool for script writing and video editing.

As a free video editing software, Descript has a bunch of AI tools that make the entire YouTube video production process much smoother, including:

• Eye Contact to readjust your glaze if you were reading from a script
• Filler Word Removal to make your appear more confident on camera
• Script Rewriter that trims down the bloat in your self-drafted script 
• Studio Sound to remove background noise and improve audio quality 
• Social Post Writer to suggest captions or tweets to use when promoting your videos

The best part: there’s a bunch of tutorials and templates to get you up to speed, so you can start editing your first video within minutes.

Take a free tour today and see why some of the world’s top creators use Descript. 

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• How it works
• Insight Network

• September 13, 2023
• 9 minute read

With over 2.7 billion users, YouTube’s potential to land your brand videos in front of a global audience is unparalleled. For businesses seeking an edge in this sometimes overwhelming content landscape, crafting the perfect script can make all the difference. 

But where do you begin?

Enter Wordbrew’s definitive guide to writing a compelling YouTube script. By tapping into a synergistic blend of AI precision and human creativity, we’ve harnessed the best of both worlds. The result? A clear, concise, and comprehensive roadmap for YouTube scriptwriters and marketing professionals across all industries.

The art of writing effective YouTube scripts

For all kinds of businesses in all niches, YouTube offers a platform to share your unique Point of View (PoV) and enhance your brand’s visibility. A well-crafted script ensures that your content resonates with your target audience, emphasizing connection, authenticity, and trust.

But, the ripple effect of getting a YouTube script right goes deeper than simply building brand trust. More engaging scripts lead to just that—more YouTube engagement. Which in turn means more visibility in YouTube’s algorithms. When your viewers watch your video through to the end rather than backing out after a few seconds, it signals to the inner workings of the YouTube mind that your content is valuable and interesting—and something that should rank higher in future searches.

In short, an effective YouTube script can lead to:

• More video views
• A higher conversion rate 
• Increased brand recognition
• Greater visibility on Google search
• More qualified traffic reaching your website

Tools for unlocking trending YouTube content

Really want to engage your target audience? Find the topics that they care about. Centering your content around viewer trends can help you resonate more soundly with your customers, stay current, and build a sense of authority. But, harnessing the potential of trending topics requires more than just a keen intuition. 

A blend of AI technology and human expertise, akin to the hybrid content creation process, can help you pinpoint exactly what your viewers want. Let’s explore some essential tools and platforms to guide you to your next impactful topic.

1. TubeBuddy 

Specifically designed for YouTube creators, TubeBuddy offers a treasure trove of features, including keyword research, competition analysis, and trend alerts. Its ‘Keyword Explorer’ can give you insight into topics gaining traction, ensuring that your script aligns with what the YouTube community is hungry for.

2. Google Trends

A direct line into the vast data reserves of Google, this free tool showcases trending search queries from across the globe. Originally designed for journalists to get the jump on a trending story, the real strength of Google Trends lies in its ability to break down data by regions, time frames, and categories. 

By keeping an eye on spikes in specific search terms, you can craft your script to match peaks in global or localized interest around your industry and activities.

While primarily seen as an SEO tool, Ahrefs boasts a powerful keyword explorer that draws data from multiple search engines, not just Google. By analyzing top-performing content in your niche, you can gauge topic popularity and deep dive into related questions to find angles or sub-topics that haven’t been extensively covered.

The best part? There’s a section on their keyword explorer that deals specifically with YouTube data! 

Here at Wordbrew, we love a deep dive into Reddit for nuggets of content gold. These informal virtual conversations can be a beeline into the inner workings of your customer’s mind. Often dubbed ‘The Front Page of the Internet’, Reddit is a dynamic platform where discussions on virtually any topic under the sun take place. 

To know what fancies your audience, browse subreddits (topic-specific communities) that resonate with your channel’s focus. Here, you can discover questions, discussions, and topics that are gaining momentum. Crafting video content around these discussions not only addresses current trends but also answers specific questions and challenges faced by your target audience.

5. The human touch

While these tools are immensely powerful, remember that they complement, not replace, human intuition and creativity. Tools might show you what’s trending, but understanding why something is trending, tailoring it to your unique brand voice and perspective, and adding the emotional connection your customers crave requires a uniquely human touch. 

For instance, while Ahrefs might tell you that “sustainable travel” is a rising keyword, you will need to use your creativity and human empathy to unearth the emotional and societal reasons behind the trend, allowing for a more profound, nuanced script.

How to write a YouTube script: A step-by-step guide

So, you’ve analyzed trends and been head down in keyword research. Now, in front of you is a list of burning topics that, with the right treatment, will attract your target audience and keep them hanging onto your every word. But, where do you start when it comes to the actual scriptwriting?

1. Understand your audience

Before you set pen to paper, you must understand who you’re talking to. Recognize your audience’s needs, preferences, and challenges. Whether you cater to small businesses or large enterprises, knowing your audience is the first step in crafting a message that strikes a chord.

How do you get to know your audience better? 

It might not seem like it at first glance, but you have plenty of resources within your organization to call upon before you start commissioning expensive market research surveys. Talk to your sales and customer services team. Find out who they are talking to, what problems they need solutions to, who the customers are, and where they are based. 

You can also use the insights functions on your social channels to gain a clearer picture of your followers’ interests, ages, and when they are most active online.

2. Set clear objectives

Your content strategy should include clear objectives for your video marketing efforts. Is it to educate, entertain, inspire, or persuade? Your objectives will guide the script’s tone, content, and call to action.

Setting SMART targets will help you produce videos that drive real results. 

Using our sustainable travel example again, a holiday company promoting its sustainability credentials via a YouTube video might set a SMART target as follows:

3. Craft a strong introduction

Engage your audience from the get-go. Start with a compelling hook, a question, or a startling fact. This sets the stage for the value your video promises to deliver. Keep your intro short but powerful—ideally no more than 20 seconds long—and incorporate your brand logo, typography, and style to increase brand recognition. 

This from Recognize works well, drawing the viewer in by presenting a problem their target audience has and that they can solve.

RECOGNIZE | Explainer Video by Yum Yum Videos

4. Build your narrative 

YouTube is more than just sharing information—it’s about storytelling . Structure your content with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Take your viewers on a journey, one where they emerge more informed or inspired than before.

As brand stories go, you don’t get much more compelling than Google’s Parisian Love ad—which cleverly takes you through all the features of the search powerhouse without once uttering a word about what the website actually does. 

Parisian Love

5. Keep it conversational

While you might need to stay professional, strive to keep your script approachable. Use simple, clear language and think about how you talk, rather than how you write. The aim is to communicate, not complicate. Where you can, show rather than tell. 

Moz’s Whiteboard Fridays series does an excellent job of taking complex SEO topics and making them clear, understandable, and relatable to their audience. All the while keeping the tone conversational yet authoritative throughout. 

Stephen A. Smith on Skip Bayless, First Take, LeBron vs Jordan & More With Shannon Sharpe | EP. 85

6. Incorporate visual cues

Consider the visual elements accompanying your words. Will there be graphics, animations, or live shots? Align these with your script to create a cohesive experience that increases the clarity of what you are saying and helps define brand identity. 

Things you might want to consider:

• Displaying numbers or statistics as graphics.
• Using animation to show, rather than explain a complex process.
• Speaking directly to the camera rather than a voice-over to make your video more personal.

7. Conclude with a clear call to action

Every video should have a purpose. End with a call to action (CTA) that nudges viewers towards a specific action, whether subscribing, purchasing, or simply exploring more content. This is where setting your SMART goals comes in – when you know what your overarching goal is, you know what you need to ask your customers to do. 

With this video, AllRecipes does better than just a final CTA. With up to 40% of viewers bouncing – leaving – videos lasting up to 2-3 minutes, they’ve included a short, sharp call to action at the very start to capture as many of their audience as possible.

8. Review and refine

Even with AI-produced drafts at your disposal, the human touch is irreplaceable. Review your script with a critical eye. Edit for clarity, conciseness, impact—and, most of all, creativity. Remember, the empathy and creativity of a human writer are crucial to the hybrid content creation process, ensuring that your content truly resonates with viewers.

Storytelling tips for YouTube

For generations, humans have been telling stories. But why does storytelling have such an impact on us? And why should you use it in your YouTube videos? 

From cavemen sitting around a campfire to the modern day, the stories we tell all have something in common: An ability to engage and connect us. They play with our emotions, reel us in, and leave us with a message that stays with us to pass down through time. Use YouTube storytelling in your brand videos, and the message your viewers take home will be you. Here’s how to make engaging YouTube videos:

Build your narrative around empathy and emotion

YouTube is a platform where emotions can drive engagement. Craft stories that resonate emotionally, whether with humor, inspiration, or even surprise. Why does that matter? Because our emotions drive 95% of our purchasing decisions, so connecting with your customer’s subconscious is a powerful marketing tool.

Define your leading character

It might be you, your brand founder, or someone in your team with an engaging personality and confidence in front of the camera. Viewers connect with characters. So, build your video around someone who can lead your viewers through your brand journey with conviction and empathy.

Show, don’t tell

Leverage the visual nature of YouTube. Instead of just describing situations or concepts, show them. The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text—so, rather than telling or writing out an explanation of what you do, use graphics, animations, and other visual aids.

Best practices for writing a YouTube script

The inner workings of the YouTube algorithms are driven by engagement. Get viewers to watch your videos all the way through—or most of the way there—and YouTube will start ranking you higher up the search listings. But how do you ensure your videos and channel perform consistently?

Engage early

The first 10-15 seconds are crucial. This is when viewers decide whether to continue watching or click away. 

Be consistent

Maintain a consistent tone and style across your videos. This helps in building a recognizable brand voice and identity.

Be conversational 

Speak to your audience, not at them. Avoid overly formal language. Instead, focus on authenticity and relatability.

Time it right

While YouTube doesn’t have a strict time limit, attention spans do. Aim for scripts that translate to videos between 7-15 minutes long for educational or informational content.

In a world awash with digital content, YouTube offers a canvas for businesses to paint their brand stories. Crafting the perfect script is both an art and a science. It’s about understanding your audience, telling a compelling story, and ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Ultimately, it’s all about meaningful engagement

Trending topics are valuable, but they’re a means to an end, not the end itself. The end goal is authentic, meaningful engagement with your audience. As you employ these tools to guide your YouTube script topics, ensure you’re not just chasing views. Your content needs to be uniquely yours and portray your brand identity at all times. Don’t just piggyback off trends. Use them to showcase your unique perspective, voice, and value to your viewers.

In the fluid world of YouTube, where trends come and go, it’s this authentic connection with your audience that will stand the test of time. So, while you ride the waves of trends, ensure your content anchors are deeply rooted in genuine value and authenticity.

AI scriptwriting helps you follow those trends, generating content at speed that allows your brand to stay ahead of the wave. But, with the hybrid method, it’s the human touch that ensures the emotional connection with your audience.

Embrace the tools and techniques available, and let your brand’s voice resonate on YouTube like never before.

Need help writing your YouTube scripts? Start a project with Wordbrew today!

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Don’t Believe John Roberts. The Supreme Court Just Made the President a King.

This is part of  Opinionpalooza , Slate’s coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside  Amicus , we kicked things off this year by explaining  How Originalism Ate the Law . The best way to support our work is by joining  Slate Plus . (If you are already a member, consider a  donation  or  merch !)

The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority fundamentally altered American democracy on Monday, awarding the president a sweeping and novel immunity when he weaponizes the power of his office for corrupt, violent, or treasonous purposes. This near-insurmountable shield against prosecution for crimes committed while in office upends the structure of the federal government, elevating the presidency to a king-like status high above the other branches. The immediate impact of the court’s sweeping decision will be devastating enough, allowing Donald Trump to evade accountability for the most destructive and criminal efforts he took to overturn the 2020 election. But the long-term impact is even more harrowing. It is unclear, after Monday’s decision, what constitutional checks remain to stop any president from assuming dangerous and monarchical powers that are anathema to representative government. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor put it in her terrified and terrifying dissent, “the President is now a king above the law.”

Trump v. United States , Monday’s decision, has no basis in the Constitution as written. Donald Trump brought the case as a delay tactic, an effort to run out the clock on his prosecution before the November election. Special counsel Jack Smith has charged the former president with a series of crimes related to his conspiracy to block the peaceful transition of power in 2020, culminating in the insurrection of Jan. 6. The indictment weaves a narrative of election subversion out of various actions the president took—many of which involved abuse of his office. In response, Trump raised a claim of “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for any “official act” he took before leaving the White House. The theory was, again, largely designed to stall the case, but also meant to shield him from the most damning charges if the case moved forward. First, the Supreme Court abetted his stalling strategy , taking up the appeal then sitting on it for months. Now it has rewarded his larger plan, too, cutting the legs from Smith’s indictment.

The fundamental problem with Trump’s legal theory is that it has absolutely no basis in the text of the Constitution, history, or tradition . The Framers knew how to grant immunity to officeholders—they did it for members of Congress—yet expressly declined to immunize the president. So Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, located this nonexistent rule in, for lack of a better word, a vibe ostensibly expressed by bits and bobs of the Constitution. His views flow from the premise that the Framers envisioned a “vigorous” and “energetic” executive who could “fearlessly” carry out his duties. Fear of criminal prosecution, Roberts warned, could interfere with “vigorous, decisive, and speedy execution” of his obligation to ensure the law is “faithfully executed.” From this hazy generalization, the chief justice extracted an atextual “absolute immunity” for any “official act” that the president takes “within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority.” Thus, a president who accepts a million-dollar bribe in exchange for a pardon may never be criminally prosecuted, since his pardon power falls within this “exclusive sphere.”

Roberts also created, out of whole cloth, a second category of acts for which the president has “presumptive immunity,” which are at once broader and hazier. Any action that falls within “the outer perimeter of his official responsibility” now enjoys this robust immunity. How do courts know what falls within this category? They must ask if it is necessary “to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution.” Roberts suggested that this immunity may also be “absolute,” but “we need not decide that question today.” Rather, the lower courts will have to apply this Jell-O–style standard to the allegations in the indictment, deciding whether this immunity can be “rebutted.” Finally, the chief justice conceded that “unofficial acts” receive no immunity.

Where does that leave us? With a huge hole blown in this particular indictment and seeds sown for a future American dictator. To the first part: At the heart of Smith’s case are allegations that Trump tried to coerce the Department of Justice into interfering with the 2020 election, threatening sham investigations and wielding the agency’s powers to cow swing states into changing their results. These charges are critically important to Smith’s case; they show a president abusing the tools of his office in a desperate bid to remain in power, arguably the highest possible betrayal of the public trust. Yet Roberts declared that this coercion amounted to an “official act” that is absolutely immune from prosecution. Notably, if Trump had succeeded in using his DOJ to flip the results of the election, he would have been absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for a successful coup.

Roberts also granted presumptive immunity to many other acts in the indictment. Into this category, he placed Trump’s browbeating of Vice President Mike Pence to reject swing states’ electoral votes on Jan. 6, because he did not wish to chill the president’s ability to “discuss official matters with the Vice President” or “hinder the President’s ability to perform his constitutional functions.” Smith now bears the burden of rebutting this presumption of immunity by somehow showing that prosecution of this conduct does not pose “dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.” The chief justice’s rhetoric in this passage suggests that he does not believe Smith can meet that high standard. He lumped a ton of other conduct into this category, too, including the use of his “bully pulpit” to demand the rejection of electoral votes and foment the insurrection on Jan. 6.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, may be one of the most alarming opinions in the Supreme Court’s history. Her introduction lays out the stakes:

Today’s decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law. Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for “bold and unhesitating action” by the President, the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.

Sotomayor also rejected Roberts’ mushy hedging designed to make his opinion sound less extreme than it really is. Make no mistake, she wrote: The elements of his decision, “in effect, completely insulate Presidents from criminal liability.” The chief justice “invents immunity through brute force,” with “disastrous consequences for the Presidency and for our democracy.” His dance around “presumptive immunity” will, she warned, not prove “meaningful” in practice. As for the “unofficial” conduct that can allegedly still be prosecuted? Roberts narrows that category “almost to a nullity” by denying courts the ability to “inquire into the President’s motives.” Thus, a president may simply lie, claiming that an act was undertaken for some “official” reason, and receive near-impenetrable immunity.

Unlike Roberts, who glossed over much of Trump’s most egregious misconduct, Sotomayor dug into the sordid weeds of his scheme, explaining how it illustrates precisely the kind of conduct that merits accountability in our system. “It is not conceivable,” she wrote, “that a prosecution for these alleged efforts to overturn a presidential election” could “pose any ‘dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.’ ” To the contrary: The Constitution demands a transition of power when a president loses reelection, and Trump illicitly sought to interfere with that process. It gets the hierarchy of constitutional values exactly backward to insulate his most corrupt acts by labeling them “official,” Sotomayor warned. The majority’s approach frees every president to manipulate his authority as a weapon against perceived enemies, with potentially lethal results. She explained:

The Court effectively creates a law-free zone around the President, upsetting the status quo that has existed since the Founding. … When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

Sotomayor went on:

Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majority’s message today.  Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

The justice concluded her opinion on a chilling note: “With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”

After Friday, Smith’s Jan. 6 prosecution stands on shaky ground. The district court must now spend many more months parsing the distinction between acts that are absolutely immune, almost certainly immune, and non-immune (if this final category even really exists). If a trial ever happens—which would first require Trump to lose his bid to reclaim the presidency, since his DOJ would dismantle the criminal cases against him—it will take place in the distant future; Trump will surely appeal the district court’s application of Roberts’ foggy taxonomy, and may well receive another favorable decision at SCOTUS. Beyond that, all future presidents will enter office with the knowledge that they are protected from prosecution for even the most appalling and dangerous abuses of power so long as they insist they were seeking to carry out their duties, as they understood them. (Remember, courts cannot even question their motives.) The Framers of the Constitution, wary of reestablishing the monarchy they overthrew, carefully limited the chief executive’s powers. And six justices just crowned him king.

More From Forbes

How not to write your college essay.

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If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” college essay, you have come to the wrong place. The reality is there is no silver bullet or strategy to write your way to an acceptance. There is not one topic or approach that will guarantee a favorable outcome.

At the end of the day, every admission office just wants to know more about you, what you value, and what excites you. They want to hear about your experiences through your own words and in your own voice. As you set out to write your essay, you will no doubt get input (both sought-after and unsolicited) on what to write. But how about what NOT Notcoin to write? There are avoidable blunders that applicants frequently make in drafting their essays. I asked college admission leaders, who have read thousands of submissions, to share their thoughts.

Don’t Go In There

There is wide consensus on this first one, so before you call on your Jedi mind tricks or predictive analytics, listen to the voices of a diverse range of admission deans. Peter Hagan, executive director of admissions at Syracuse University, sums it up best, saying, “I would recommend that students try not to get inside of our heads. He adds, “Too often the focus is on what they think we want.”

Andy Strickler, dean of admission and financial aid at Connecticut College agrees, warning, “Do NOT get caught in the trap of trying to figure out what is going to impress the admission committee. You have NO idea who is going to read your essay and what is going to connect with them. So, don't try to guess that.” Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment, at Scripps College adds, “Do not write about something you don’t care about.” She says, “I think students try to figure out what an admission officer wants to read, and the reality is the reader begins every next essay with no expectations about the content THEY want to read.” Chrystal Russell, dean of admission at Hampden-Sydney College, agrees, saying, “If you're not interested in writing it, we will not be interested when reading it.” Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont elaborates, advising. “Don’t try to make yourself sound any different than you are.” He says, “The number one goal for admission officers is to better understand the applicant, what they like to do, what they want to do, where they spend the majority of their time, and what makes them tick. If a student stays genuine to that, it will shine through and make an engaging and successful essay.”

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Don’t Be Artificial

The headlines about college admission are dominated by stories about artificial intelligence and the college essay. Let’s set some ground rules–to allow ChatGPT or some other tool to do your work is not only unethical, it is also unintelligent. The only worse mistake you could make is to let another human write your essay for you. Instead of preoccupying yourself with whether or not colleges are using AI detection software (most are not), spend your time focused on how best to express yourself authentically. Rick Clark is the executive director of strategic student success at Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the first institutions to clearly outline their AI policy for applicants. He says, “Much of a college application is devoted to lines, boxes, and numbers. Essays and supplements are the one place to establish connection, personality, and distinction. AI, in its current state, is terrible at all three.” He adds, “My hope is that students will use ChatGPT or other tools for brainstorming and to get started, but then move quickly into crafting an essay that will provide insight and value.”

Don’t Overdo It

Michael Stefanowicz, vice president for enrollment management at Landmark College says, “You can only cover so much detail about yourself in an admission essay, and a lot of students feel pressure to tell their life story or choose their most defining experience to date as an essay topic. Admission professionals know that you’re sharing just one part of your lived experience in the essay.” He adds, “Some of the favorite essays I’ve read have been episodic, reflecting on the way you’ve found meaning in a seemingly ordinary experience, advice you’ve lived out, a mistake you’ve learned from, or a special tradition in your life.” Gary Ross, vice president for admission and financial aid at Colgate University adds, “More than a few applicants each year craft essays that talk about the frustration and struggles they have experienced in identifying a topic for their college application essay. Presenting your college application essay as a smorgasbord of topics that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor does not give us much insight into an applicant.”

Don’t Believe In Magic

Jason Nevinger, senior director of admission at the University of Rochester warns, “Be skeptical of anyone or any company telling you, ‘This is the essay that got me into _____.’ There is no magic topic, approach, sentence structure, or prose that got any student into any institution ever.” Social media is littered with advertisements promising strategic essay help. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money trying to emulate a certain style, topic, or tone. Liz Cheron is chief executive officer for the Coalition for College and former assistant vice president of enrollment & dean of admissions at Northeastern University. She agrees with Nevinger, saying “Don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect, slam dunk topic. The vast majority of college essays do exactly what they're supposed to do–they are well-written and tell the admission officer more about the student in that student's voice–and that can take many different forms.”

Don’t Over Recycle

Beatrice Atkinson-Myers, associate director of global recruitment at the University of California at Santa Cruz tells students, “Do not use the same response for each university; research and craft your essay to match the program at the university you are interested in studying. Don't waste time telling me things I can read elsewhere in your application. Use your essay to give the admissions officer insights into your motivations, interests, and thinking. Don't make your essay the kitchen sink, focus on one or two examples which demonstrate your depth and creativity.” Her UC colleague, Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the University of California at San Diego agrees, saying “Answer the question. Not doing so is the surest way we can tell you are simply giving us a snippet of something you actually wrote for a different purpose.”

Don’t Overedit

Emily Roper-Doten, vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial assistance at Clark University warns against “Too many editors!” She says, “Pick a couple of trusted folks to be your sounding board when considering topics and as readers once you have drafts. You don’t want too many voices in your essay to drown you out!” Scripps’ Romero agrees, suggesting, “Ask a good friend, someone you trust and knows you well, to read your essays.” She adds, “The goal is for the admission committee to get to know a little about you and who better to help you create that framework, than a good friend. This may not work for all students because of content but helps them understand it’s important to be themselves.” Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at The University of Pennsylvania adds, “Avoid well-meaning editorial interference that might seem to polish your writing but actually takes your own personal ‘shine’ right out of the message.” She says, “As readers, we connect to applicants through their genuine tone and style. Considering editorial advice for flow and message is OK but hold on to the 'you' for what you want to say and how you want to say it.”

Don’t Get Showy

Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, “Don’t be fancier than you are. You don’t need to put on airs.” He adds, “Yes, proofread your work for grammar and spelling, but be natural. Craft something you’d want to read yourself, which probably means keeping your paragraphs short, using familiar words, and writing in an active voice.” Connecticut College’s Strickler agrees, warning, “Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are not funny, don't try to write a funny essay. If you are not an intellectual, trying to write an intellectual essay is a bad idea.”

Anthony Jones, the vice president of enrollment management at Loyola University New Orleans offers a unique metaphor for thinking about the essay. He says, “In the new world of the hyper-fast college admission process, it's become easy to overlook the essential meaning of the college application. It's meant to reveal Y...O...U, the real you, not some phony digital avatar. Think of the essay as the essence of that voice but in analog. Like the completeness and authenticity captured in a vinyl record, the few lines you're given to explain your view should be a slow walk through unrestrained expression chock full of unapologetic nuances, crevices of emotion, and exactness about how you feel in the moment. Then, and only then, can you give the admissions officer an experience that makes them want to tune in and listen for more.”

Don’t Be A Downer

James Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at The University of Chicago says, “Don’t be negative about other people, be appreciative of those who have supported you, and be excited about who you are and what you will bring to our campus!” He adds, “While admissions offices want smart students for our classrooms, we also want kind-hearted, caring, and joyous students who will add to our campus communities too.”

Don’t Pattern Match

Alan Ramirez is the dean of admission and financial aid at Sewanee, The University of the South. He explains, “A big concern I have is when students find themselves comparing their writing to other students or past applicants and transform their writing to be more like those individuals as a way to better their chances of offering a more-compelling essay.” He emphasizes that the result is that the “essay is no longer authentic nor the best representation of themselves and the whole point of the essay is lost. Their distinctive voice and viewpoint contribute to the range of voices in the incoming class, enhancing the diversity of perspectives we aim to achieve.” Ramirez simple tells students, “Be yourself, that’s what we want to see, plus there's no one else who can do it better than you!”

Don’t Feel Tied To A Topic

Jessica Ricker is the vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College. She says, “Sometimes students feel they must tell a story of grief or hardship, and then end up reliving that during the essay-writing process in ways that are emotionally detrimental. I encourage students to choose a topic they can reflect upon positively but recommend that if they choose a more challenging experience to write about, they avoid belaboring the details and instead focus on the outcome of that journey.” She adds, "They simply need to name it, frame its impact, and then help us as the reader understand how it has shaped their lens on life and their approach moving forward.”

Landmark College’s Stefanowicz adds, “A lot of students worry about how personal to get in sharing a part of their identity like your race or heritage (recalling last year’s Supreme Court case about race-conscious admissions), a learning difference or other disability, your religious values, LGBTQ identity…the list goes on.” He emphasizes, “This is always your choice, and your essay doesn’t have to be about a defining identity. But I encourage you to be fully yourself as you present yourself to colleges—because the college admission process is about finding a school where your whole self is welcome and you find a setting to flourish!”

Don’t Be Redundant

Hillen Grason Jr., dean of admission at Franklin & Marshall College, advises, “Don't repeat academic or co-curricular information that is easily identifiable within other parts of your application unless the topic is a core tenant of you as an individual.” He adds, “Use your essay, and other parts of your application, wisely. Your essay is the best way to convey who your authentic self is to the schools you apply. If you navigated a situation that led to a dip in your grades or co-curricular involvement, leverage the ‘additional information’ section of the application.

Thomas Marr is a regional manager of admissions for the Americas at The University of St Andrews in Scotland and points out that “Not all international schools use the main college essay as part of their assessment when reviewing student applications.” He says, “At the University of St Andrews, we focus on the supplemental essay and students should avoid the mistake of making the supplemental a repeat of their other essay. The supplemental (called the Personal Statement if using the UCAS application process) is to show the extent of their passion and enthusiasm for the subject/s to which they are applying and we expect about 75% of the content to cover this. They can use the remaining space to mention their interests outside of the classroom. Some students confuse passion for the school with passion for their subject; do not fall into that trap.”

A Few Final Don’ts

Don’t delay. Every college applicant I have ever worked with has wished they had started earlier. You can best avoid the pitfalls above if you give yourself the time and space to write a thoughtful essay and welcome feedback openly but cautiously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect . Do your best, share your voice, and stay true to who you are.

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How To Write A YouTube Script (+ Free Template)

Roll the credits. 🎬

ICYMI: YouTube is the second largest search engine platform in the world.

And with so much content being uploaded every day, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd.

Enter: YouTube scripts. 

With the help of a YouTube script, you can create videos that'll hook your audience, keep them engaged, and get your channel noticed.

Whether you’re a small business owner or creator, we’re sharing how to write a YouTube script (+ a free template) in this guide, below.

Table of Contents

What is a youtube script, why should you write youtube scripts, how to write a youtube script in 5 easy steps.

A YouTube script is essentially the written framework for your video.

It will outline specific dialog, visual cues, and call-to-actions (CTAs) to hit so that you stay on-topic while also keeping viewers engaged. 

In a nutshell, YouTube scripts are a key component to creating high-quality video content.

FYI: Later’s social media management platform is trusted by over 7M social media managers, brands, and creators to plan content, analyze posts, and more. Sign up today — for free:

Come shoot day, it can be easy to get sidetracked while filming, especially if you have a ton of talking points.

With a YouTube script, you can stay on track, hit your cues, and reference important CTAs.

Writing your script ahead of time also gives on-screen talent the flexibility to play around with multiple takes when they’ve fumbled their words or need to adjust their tone to be more serious or playful. 

Plus, if you work with a video editor, it gives them more options in post-production.  

“Having a script in advance helps when planning out graphics, visual elements, and the video's pacing. It makes editing a lot more streamlined,” shares David Balista, Later’s in-house Video Editor.

"Plus, with scripts, you can reduce the amount of feedback you'll need as we'll have a document to refer back to when considering certain cuts, transitions, or where to insert b-roll," he adds.

Translation: YouTube scripts are a no-brainer when it comes to keeping teams organized during the video production process.

Ready to take your YouTube videos to the next level? Download our free YouTube video script template to keep your audience engaged and get your channel noticed. 👀

You don't need to be a professional write to create an effective YouTube script.

Here's how to do it in five easy steps (tried-and-tested by Later's social team):

Step #1: Ready, Set, Brainstorm

The topic you discuss in your video will form the base of your outline. 

So, it’s a good idea to map out a list of 5-10 topics that are relevant to your niche.

If you’re not sure where to start, try using these questions as prompts: 

What are some frequently asked questions that you could turn into a tutorial? 

What are some common myths in your industry? 

Could you add your perspective to any industry news or recent changes?

From there, establish the relevancy of those topics through keyword research and analysis.

This is key to determining the popularity and discoverability of your topic — the higher your keywords rank, the more likely your videos will perform. 

Just keep in mind, viewers can sense when you’re not genuinely interested in a topic, so it’s best to pick one that’s authentic to your brand, and not just a high-ranking keyword.  

TIP: If you're in a brainstorming rut, consider referencing your content pillars for some inspiration. Watch this 6-minute video to learn how.

Step #2: Build Your Outline 

Once you’ve nailed down your topic, it’s time to create your outline.

This is where you’ll break down your topic into sections.

If you’re basing your YouTube script off a blog post, we recommend using similar headlines to guide what your sections will be.

However, if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want to stick to this formula:

Grab Attention: Hook your audience through a question, a pain point, an interesting fact, or a personal story.

Introduction: Introduce what you’ll be sharing in this video.

Main Headlines: Break your topic down into digestible sections with clear examples and explanations.

Throughout these sections, include visual elements that'll help illustrate your points like pop-up text, screenshots, b-roll, and transitions.

TIP: Once your video is uploaded to YouTube, you can convert these headlines into clickable timestamps in your video description (see this Later video as an example).

Conclusion: Sum up your video a short and sweet CTA, like subscribing to your channel, following you on Instagram, or clicking the link in your description.

Step #3: Write Your Script

Before you start writing, establish who will be speaking on camera. 

This will help determine the tone of the YouTube script — including how they converse naturally and any nuances that come with their personal expertise. 

Once that’s done and dusted, what software should you use to write your script? It depends!

Here at Later, our team uses Google Sheets to map out our YouTube scripts.

Why? Each line of text can be separated into its own row, making it easy to indicate where visual elements and CTAs should appear:

Keep in mind, most teleprompter apps and software like Speakflow will require a CSV format of your text in order to automatically upload.

Alternatively, we recommend CapCut’s in-app teleprompter, which requires manual transcription to use the feature.

Once you've decided what format your script will live in, it's time to start expanding on your outline:

Keep It Short: Go into as much detail as possible using the fewest words. For your introduction, viewers want to know what they're about to learn and how you're going to help them. For your main points, avoid rambling or unnecessary filler words.

Again, Short: On the Later YouTube channel , we've found that our most engaging videos are between two to three minutes in length. However, it's worth experimenting to see if longer-form video resonates with your key audience.

TIP: To figure out how many minutes your YouTube video will be based on your script’s word count, we follow a 150 words = 1 minute of speech rule.

Step #4: Map Out Visuals 

In the outline stage, you may have started identifying where your visual elements were going to appear. 

Here, we recommend finalizing those elements along with the copy for your text pop-ups (make a note in whichever template or software you use to write your script — see step #3).

Visuals can include charts, graphics, GIFs, or screen recordings that'll help illustrate your points.

Step #5: Edit, Edit, Edit

In this step, you'll trim and simplify your YouTube script. 

Reading your script aloud will help you get a sense of the natural flow of your dialogue.

Trust us, if it’s too choppy or over-complicated, you’ll hear it.

Doing a verbal run-through of your script will also help you reduce any filler words that are taking up time.

Lastly, get a fresh set of eyes on your script by getting a colleague to review it for final approval. 

And there you have it — every step you need to write your next YouTube script. 

With so much content on YouTube, writing scripts can be your ticket to creating valuable content that'll keep your audience coming back for more.  

Make every second count. Download our YouTube script template to turn visitors into loyal subscribers today — for free. 

Chantal is Later’s Social Media Specialist and based in Toronto. Passionate about all things social ( especially TikTok ), her experience includes content creation, influencer partnerships, and digital storytelling. Outside of work, you can find Chantal in new cafes, biking around the city, and perfecting her Pinterest boards.

Plan, schedule, and automatically publish your social media posts with Later.

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SEO Writing 101 — How to Create Content That Ranks Discover how to master keyword selection, content structure and on-page SEO to rank better on Google.

By Nick Zviadadze Edited by Chelsea Brown Jul 2, 2024

Key Takeaways

• 96.55% of all web pages receive no organic traffic from Google, highlighting the importance of a solid SEO strategy.
• The benefits of writing SEO content include improved rankings and visibility, increased brand awareness, better user engagement and higher conversion rates.
• This article highlights five key strategies to help you create SEO content that ranks.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shockingly, 96.55% of all pages get zero organic traffic from Google. And, without a solid SEO strategy, your content can easily get lost in the sea of unvisited Google pages and suffer the same fate. Luckily, there's a way to solve all that.

By mastering the basics of SEO writing and ensuring you create quality content, you can make search engines send more traffic your way. So, let's explore why SEO content is so important and touch upon the best SEO tips to improve your writing and boost your rankings.

Related: 6 SEO Tips to Help You Rank in the New Era of Quality Content

What is SEO content?

SEO content is created specifically to rank highly on Google and other search engines. Unlike conventional blog content, which you write based on your interests or what you think your audience wants, SEO content is planned and crafted to align with search engine algorithms and user search behavior.

You pick a keyword that your target audience is searching for. Then, you write content to rank well for that keyword. To achieve that, you must ensure it aligns with search intent and follows SEO best practices.

That means providing valuable, relevant information that answers the user's query, using clear and engaging language, incorporating keywords naturally, structuring your content with headings and subheadings, and including internal and external links to improve credibility and user experience.

Writing SEO content has several benefits:

Improves your rankings and visibility of your website

Attracts organic visitors who actively search for your topics

Keeps readers engaged on your website longer with relevant content

Increases your brand awareness and authority

Improves conversion rates

How to write SEO content that ranks

Writing good content is all about using the right SEO strategies , starting with the following:

1. Pick the right keyword

You should aim for keywords that are not too competitive but still have solid search volume.

For example, if you're a small ecommerce business trying to rank for "running shoes," you have to compete with giants like Nike and Adidas, which is almost impossible.

Instead, target keywords that are easier to rank for but still relevant to your business, like "breathable running shoes for hot weather." These keywords can drive targeted leads to your website without investing so much time and effort to rank for them.

Here's how to find these keywords:

Use SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to identify keywords with good search volume and lower competition

Look at the keywords your competitors are ranking for and find opportunities they might have missed

Focus on long-tail keywords that often bring more qualified traffic

2. Create a content outline (make sure to satisfy search intent)

Once you've chosen your keyword, make sure the content you create matches the search intent behind it. Search intent is the reason behind the search query or what the user wants to find through their search.

For example, if your keyword is "Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 vs. Adidas Ultraboost Light," the search intent is to compare the two running shoes. Your content should provide a thorough comparison, covering aspects like comfort, durability, price and user reviews, rather than something unrelated, like the history of each brand.

Related: 3 Powerful SEO Techniques That Will Boost Your Website's Search Engine Ranking

Creating a content outline helps you structure your content to meet this intent. You can do that by:

Googling your keyword and going through top-ranking content

Analyzing the structure and noting down common themes

Creating an outline that follows a logical progression

Breaking down your content into sections with clear headings

Adding images, charts and videos to improve your content

3. Follow on-page SEO best practices

Nailing on-page SEO ensures that search engines and readers can easily understand and navigate your content. The best way to do that is to follow these SEO techniques:

Include your keyword in the title, URL, introduction, subheadings and conclusion

Place your keyword naturally throughout the content without keyword stuffing

Use plenty of internal links to related content on your website

Maintain a clear and logical structure with headings and subheadings to improve readability

Write compelling meta descriptions that include your keyword to increase click-through rates

Ensure your content is mobile-friendly, as 59.4% of web traffic comes from mobile devices.

4. Create easy-to-read content

People rarely read whole articles from start to finish. Instead, they skim through them, searching for the information they need. That's why you need to follow a simple structure and use everyday language to ensure your content is easy to read and understand.

To improve the readability of your blog posts , you should:

Use clear and descriptive headers to guide readers through your content

Use bullet points wherever possible to break down information into digestible chunks

Bold the most important phrases in each section to highlight key takeaways

Incorporate screenshots to visually demonstrate key points and processes

Keep paragraphs short to make your content easy to skim

5. Include superior value

Most writers make the SEO mistake of not doing enough research before creating content. Instead, they paraphrase what their top-ranking competitors say or rely on AI to create generic blog posts.

However, you need to go the extra mile to create content that gets the best SEO results .

Start by digging deeper into forums like Reddit to discover your potential customers' most common pain points and questions. This step will help you understand their needs and concerns better.

Stay up to date with the latest news and developments in your industry to ensure your content is fresh and relevant. Read articles and listen to podcasts to get fresh insights and come up with unique angles for your articles.

You can also make your content more valuable by including the latest statistics or expert insights to add credibility and depth to your content. This is the best way to stand out from your competitors.

Related: Here's the SEO Combination You Need to Win Google's Algorithm

Mastering the basics of SEO writing is crucial for ensuring your content ranks well on Google.

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

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What it takes for video essayists to breakthrough on YouTube

Lindsay Ellis, Michael Tucker, T1J, Maggie Mae Fish, and Patrick Willems discuss the art of dissecting art

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In the last 10 years, YouTube video essays — on movies, on TV shows, on games, on pop culture, on everyday life — have entered a renaissance. But how do you make a video essay? What does it take to run a YouTube channel that can let a creator’s creativity thrive and serve a demanding audience? How much do algorithms control the pop conversation, and how is someone supposed to break through?

Knowing that dissecting art is an art in itself, Polygon asked some of the top video essayists working on YouTube today to come together in conversation at the 2020 New York Comic Con Metaverse. On Saturday at 9 p.m. EDT/ 6 p.m. PDT, Lindsay Ellis , Michael Tucker ( Lessons from the Screenplay ), Kevin Peterson ( T1J ), and Maggie Mae Fish join moderator, fellow creator, and occasional Polygon contributor Patrick Willems to talk through their career arcs and reflect on what it takes to make a career out of video essays.

Want a taste?

“YouTube really encourages you to fixate on numbers and the algorithm,” Ellis says during the roundtable. “And the way the backend is set up [...] it’s designed to play to your anxiety and it’s designed to, like, make you freak out if your video isn’t doing as well as the last 10. I would like to be emotionally liberated from that because I do think it creatively stifles you. You’re making content based not on what you’re interested in, but what you think will get clicks. I wish I could just be OK with the fact that I’m not going to get a million views a video anymore. That should be OK. I should be allowed to do that.”

Watch the full, 45-minute panel above for even more insight and anecdotes.

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How to Write an Entertaining YouTube Video Script

You know the importance of having a video script if you're a YouTuber. It helps you organize your thoughts and tell an engaging story. It also allows you to speak clearly, avoiding common mistakes we all make when speaking. Messing up a word. Saying "um" too many times. Forgetting what you wanted to say altogether.

You can fix this by writing a good video script for YouTube . This guide will show you how to make it engaging, natural, and  definitely  not cheesy.

But First, What's a YouTube Video Script?

A script is a document that describes what will happen in your video. It includes details about the characters, plot, action, and setting.

From a text perspective, your script is also an outline of what you want to say. It's specific enough to read while filming but loose enough to allow for ad-libbing and vocal experimentation.

How to Start Writing a YouTube Script

When writing a script, it's essential to focus on your audience . You're using the document to craft a video they'll enjoy, so the script should speak directly to your viewers.

You need three details to complete this task: who your audience is, the main idea of your video, and the "voice" you want to use.

1. Start with a Video Title or Main Idea

The first step is simple but worth mentioning: You need a video title or idea before sitting down to write. This helps you stay on topic, grab viewers' attention, and provide the information they crave.

Read More: 3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

Imagine writing a video script about credit cards. Using a title like "How to Squeeze More Value Out of Your Credit Card" is a lot more engaging than "How to Use Your Credit Card Wisely." And as you focus on that winning concept — "squeezing" value instead of "using" a credit card — it's easier to write in that engaging perspective.

You should also add the right keywords to your title. It will help you write an even better script that increases YouTube views , but more on that later.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

It also helps to know who your viewers are before writing a script. This detail is usually related to your YouTube niche. Are you making videos for teen gamers? College students who study abroad? Single dads who seek parenting advice?

With those details in mind, ask yourself what information viewers want or need from the video you're planning. Then try to deliver that value.

This process is called speaking to your target audience . And the best way to do that is by researching their daily challenges, joys, and desires. Then you can craft a video that solves a problem or intensifies their joys.

Most of this research happens on YouTube, so click here to learn the basics of keyword research . You'll learn how often people search for your video's topic, the words they use when searching, and related topics you can use to build out the video.

3. Know Your Channel's 'Voice'

Every YouTube creator has a "voice." Maybe you're the "jester" who cracks jokes and makes people laugh. Or perhaps you're the "adventurer" who takes people on a journey with action-packed scenes.

Whatever your voice is, use it when writing scripts for YouTube videos. It'll help you stand out and attract the right kind of viewers — people who like your personality and hit subscribe.

Create a YouTube Script Outline

Now that you know your video's topic, voice, and target audience, you can start outlining a script.

Luckily you don't have to build this from scratch. You can use a well-known YouTube video script format, then personalize it for your content.

Alina Iatiuc, creative producer at vidIQ, writes scripts for the vidIQ channel.  Here's the YouTube script template  she uses, plus a few tips to make it your own:

• Section 1: Video hook/intro
• Section 2: Main content and research
• Section 3: CTA (call to action)
• Section 4: YouTube end-screen elements

Section 1: Video Hook/Intro

The "hook" is the first sentence or two that catches the viewers' attention in a video. It should be one of three things: entertaining, emotional, or informative. If you can do all three, that's even better.

Another thing you want to do is present the main problem you're solving.

For example, we have a YouTube script titled "Trick Anyone into Watching Your Videos." The video hook introduces the problem (no one is watching your videos), promises a solution, entertains viewers, and taps into their emotions:

"Warning! This video will help you learn to hack peoples' minds and trick anyone into watching your videos using science and proven facts."

The hook is brief, engaging, and makes the viewer curious enough to keep watching. Press play below to see what we mean!

But there's more than one way to do this.  In fact, here are eight ideas to hook viewers in the first eight seconds.

Section 2: Main Content and Research

This is where you'll write the bulk of your content. For example, you might have 5-10 main points for your video. One by one, you'll give each point a subheader and write the words you want to say for that section.

Don't forget to add information that might be useful, including research and statistics, to support your claims.

"One of the most common mistakes people make when writing a script is not doing enough research and fact-checking," Alina says. "Sharing misleading information will not help build trust with your audience. Moreover, it can destroy a good reputation you've already built."

Section 3: Your CTA (Call to Action)

There should be a clear call to action at the end of every video. Some creators ask for feedback in the form of likes, subscriptions, comments, and shares. Some even encourage people to sign up for their email newsletter. You should write your call to action in a way that drives viewers to your chosen destination.

Section 4: YouTube End Screen Elements

A YouTube end screen is an interactive outro that appears in the last 5-20 seconds of a video. You can place clickable elements on an end screen, such as links to a website, a subscribe button, or extra videos for viewers to watch.

End screens and CTAs go hand-in-hand. You'll use the CTA to bring viewers' attention to the end screen, and you'll use the end screen itself to send viewers where you want them to go.

For example, here's a CTA and end screen paired together:

"If you want to get people to watch more of your content — essentially free videos — then watch this video over here (points to end-screen element showing clickable video)." And by doing that, you're giving me free views!"

Writing Tips: 8 Ways to Make Your Script More Engaging

There's planning a video script, and then there's doing the actual writing. Here's how to make sure what you write becomes an entertaining video.

1. Use Short Sentences

Long sentences are difficult to read, hear, and understand. That's why you should write shorter sentences for your video script and keep things casual. You'll reduce the information viewers hear so they can follow your train of thought.

At the same time, you don't want  every  sentence to be brief. Vary the length of your sentences, so they flow like a natural conversation between friends.

2. Use the Present Tense

Writing in the present tense creates a sense of urgency. You'll communicate in the here and now, grabbing viewers' attention to keep them engaged.

3. Write in a Conversational Style

YouTube is pretty laid-back, so use simple words and phrases anyone can understand. You don't want to sound like you're delivering an academic speech or giving a research presentation.

At the same time, don't make your script so informal that it sounds off-putting.

4. Use More Active Voice Than Passive Voice

When you write in the  active voice , the subject of a sentence performs an action on something else – a person, idea, or thing. A sentence written in the passive voice doesn't reveal the subject upfront, which gets confusing.

Active voice :  Joseph adopted three puppies last winter, and they're growing fast.

Passive voice : Three puppies were adopted by Joseph last winter, and they're growing fast.

The passive sentence requires more effort to understand.

5. Keep it Simple

Remove unnecessary words, sentences, and scenes from your script if they don't add to the story.

6. Sprinkle in Some Humor

Humor adds a cheery, light-hearted tone to your video. Just don't go overboard by cracking offensive jokes that make people feel uncomfortable.

7. Edit Your Script Several Times

Good writing doesn't happen overnight, so read your script and revise it until you're satisfied.

8. Seek Feedback

It's helpful to get feedback before publishing a YouTube video. You can ask friends and family what they think or get serious feedback from a scriptwriter.

Always Write for Your Audience

The beauty of scriptwriting is that you don't need to be an expert . Anyone can sit down and create a vision for their YouTube video, from the storyline to the spoken words to the special effects sprinkled on top.

But to create outstanding scripts, you do need to be an expert in one thing: prioritizing your viewers and no one else .

"A YouTube video script is engaging when a content creator understands their audience and writes for the people and not for the ego," Alina says. "Before starting to write a script, I ask myself: "What is the problem I want to help my audience solve? How can I solve it so that people find the solution helpful?"

Blog Manager at vidIQ

Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.

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• LLMs now write lots of science. Good

Easier and more lucid writing will make science faster and better

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M ANY PEople are busily experimenting with chatbots in the hope that generative artificial intelligence ( AI ) can improve their daily lives. Scientists, brainy as they are, are several steps ahead. As we report , 10% or more of abstracts for papers in scientific journals now appear to be written at least in part by large language models. In fields such as computer science that figure rises to 20%. Among Chinese computer scientists, it is a third.

Some see this enthusiastic adoption as a mistake. They fear that vast quantities of poor-quality papers will introduce biases, boost plagiarism and jam the machinery of scientific publication. Some journals, including the Science family, are imposing onerous disclosure requirements on the use of llm s. Such attempts are futile and misguided. llm s cannot easily be policed. Even if they could be, many scientists find that their use brings real benefits.

Research scientists are not just devoted to laboratory work or thinking big thoughts. They face great demands on their time, from writing papers and teaching to filling out endless grant applications. llm s help by speeding up the writing of papers, thereby freeing up time for scientists to develop new ideas, collaborate or check for mistakes in their work.

The technology can also help level a playing-field that is tilted towards native English speakers, because many of the prestigious journals are in their tongue. llm s can help those who do not speak the language well to translate and edit their text. Thanks to LLM s, scientists everywhere should be able to disseminate their findings more easily, and be judged by the brilliance of their ideas and ingeniousness of their research, rather than their skill in avoiding dangling modifiers.

As with any technology, there are worries. Because llm s make it easier to produce professional-sounding text, they will make it easier to generate bogus scientific papers. Science received 10,444 submissions last year, of which 83% were rejected before peer review. Some of these are bound to have been ai -generated fantasies.

llm s could also export, through their words, the cultural environment in which they were trained. Their lack of imagination may spur inadvertent plagiarism, in which they directly copy past work by humans. “Hallucinations” that are obviously wrong to experts, but very believable to everyone else, could also make their way into the text. And most worrying of all, writing can be an integral part of the research process, by helping researchers clarify and formulate their own ideas. An excessive reliance on llm s could therefore make science poorer.

Trying to restrict the use of LLM s is not the way to deal with these problems. In the future they are rapidly going to become more prevalent and more powerful. They are already embedded in word processors and other software, and will soon be as common as spell-checkers. Researchers tell surveys that they see the benefits of generative ai not just for writing papers but for coding and doing administrative tasks. And crucially, their use cannot easily be detected. Although journals can impose all the burdensome disclosure requirements they like, it would not help, because they cannot tell when their rules have been broken. Journals such as Science should abandon detailed disclosures for the use of llm s as a writing tool, beyond a simple acknowledgment.

Science already has many defences against fabrication and plagiarism. In a world where the cost of producing words falls to nothing, these must become stronger still. Peer review, for instance, will become even more important in a gen- ai world. It must be beefed up accordingly, perhaps by paying reviewers for the time they sacrifice to scrutinise papers. There should also be more incentives for researchers to replicate experiments. Hiring and promotion committees at universities should ensure that scientists are rewarded based on the quality of their work and the quantity of new insights they generate. Curb the potential for misuse, and scientists have plenty to gain from their llm amanuenses. ■

Explore more

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Can you make this clearer?”

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Guide to the American University’s Supplemental Essay Prompt

American University asks applicants to respond to the following prompt, "Why are you interested in American University?" in 150 words or less. With such few words at your disposal, you'll want to be succinct as possible. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has some tips to help you get started on a distinct response.

Guide to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Supplemental Essay Prompt

Admissions wants to know just what appeals to you about the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to lend tips and tricks for writing a winning supplemental essay for your Wisconsin-Madison application.

How to Respond to Wake Forest’s 150-Word “How Did You Become Interested in WFU?” Essay

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you a jumpstart on your drafted response for Wake Forest's "Why?" essay: "How did you become interested in Wake Forest University? Feel free to tell us about any contact that you had with Wake Forest that was important to you. (150 words)"

How to Approach the 2021-22 Wake Forest Brief Responses (Writing Section)

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Wake Forest's 2021-22 Brief Responses, so you can submit a distinct and personal application to WFU.

CEA’s Guide to Yale’s 2021-22 “Intellectual Interest” Essay

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down Yale's 250-word "Intellectual Interest" essay, which reads, "Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it?"

How to Write an Artist Statement

Many colleges and universities ask art students to write an artist statement as part of their applications. Writing an Artist Statement can be tricky, especially if you’re applying as an undergraduate.

Guide to the Purdue University Supplemental Essays (2022-23)

Purdue University asks applicants to write three short supplemental essays as part of their admissions application. Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

CEA’s Guide to Yale University’s “Short Takes” Supplement Section for the 2021-22 Application Year

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Yale University's "Short Takes" supplement section for the 2021-22 application season. It's time to brainstorm!

How to Respond to Yale University’s “Why Yale?” Supplement Section in 100 Words or Fewer

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 Yale University "Why Yale?" supplement section, so you can infuse your response with specificity while demonstrating fit.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Georgetown University Essay Prompts

Georgetown University asks applicants to submit four (4) essays in their undergraduate admission application. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through each of Georgetown's 2021-22 prompts, so you can draft with confidence.

CEA’s Guide to the University of Chicago’s 2021-22 Supplemental Essay Prompts

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 University of Chicago supplemental essays, so you can better understand what admissions is looking for in your response.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Colgate University Supplemental Essays (and List!)

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 Colgate University supplemental essays, so you can draft winning responses.

CEA’s Guide to the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Portfolio Submission

Preferred Admission applicants to the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business will complete a portfolio. This portfolio is in addition to the materials you submit with your Common Application or Coalition Application.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Boston College asks students to select one prompt (out of five) to respond to in 400 words or less (prompts below). So what will you write about? Philosophy, racial injustice, conversation partners, introspection, or your favorite book? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you all the information you need to select a prompt and write an amazing supplemental essay.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

Dartmouth College is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Dartmouth's supplemental essay prompts are an opportunity for applicants to distinguish themselves from their peers. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the seven Dartmouth College supplemental essay prompts, so you can draft your responses with confidence.

4 Types of Essay Prompts to Expect from Military Academy Applications

Whether you’re applying to the United States Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or West Point Military Academy, you can anticipate penning responses to these four types of essay prompts. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the four most common Military application essay categories!

How to Respond to College Essay Prompts About Diversity and Inclusivity

Many colleges and universities have started asking applicants to respond to prompts that ask them about their experiences with diversity, inclusion, and equity. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the popular new supplemental essay prompt.

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Southern California (USC) Essays | CEA

So, we just have to say it: the USC application is kind of all over the place! You’ll be asked about everything from your academic interests to your life's theme song, so make sure to tighten the straps on your brainstorming helmet. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to show you how to use every essay as an opportunity to showcase something different about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of California Essays | CEA

For the UC application, the rules may be unfamiliar but the game is the same: tell admissions something they don’t know, and then do it three more times! A strategic applicant will choose an amalgam of prompts that highlight vastly different aspects of their life and personality, leaving an admissions officer with a deep and complete picture of who they are. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you avoid getting hung up on trying to find the questions admissions "wants" you to answer -- with each essay, your goal isn’t just to answer the question, but to tell a very short story about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 Georgetown University Essays | CEA

Since it's not on the Common App, Georgetown requires some extra special attention when it comes to its supplemental essay requirements! Luckily, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and discuss the motivation behind them. Take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

Guide to the 2020-21 Harvard University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. As a result, Harvard's supplemental essay prompts are diverse and complex, to allow students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from their peers. If you're feeling overwhelmed, fear not! CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the Harvard essays so you can hit submit with confidence.

Guide to the 2020-21 Stanford University Essays | CEA

The Stanford University application is nothing short of a doozie -- no less than EIGHT essays of varying lengths for students to answer and submit! To help you tackle this beast, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook has created this video guide to walk you through each of the prompts, and give you the tips and tricks you need to make an impression on admissions.

Guide to the 2020-21 Boston University Essays | CEA

The Boston University essay requirements are a gift to students: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required! Of course, our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, doesn't believe that any essay is truly optional, so make sure you're taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speak to admissions in your own voice. Plan ahead, pay attention to the questions, and above all don't wait until the last minute to start your work!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Michigan Essays | CEA

We know that submitting your application to the University of Michigan can cause some serious stress. Thankfully, this year Michigan only requires two supplemental essays instead of three! Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and provide you with tips and tricks to help you showcase yourself to admissions using your own unique voice.

Guide to the 2020-21 New York University Supplemental Essay | CEA

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to write one supplemental essay (prompt in description below) on top of their Common App personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to craft a winning response!

Guide to the 2020-21 Brown University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Applying to an Ivy League institution, such as Brown University, can be incredibly stressful! Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Brown's four (4) supplemental essay prompts.

Are “Optional” College Essay Prompts Really Optional?

Every year, colleges and universities around the world offer applicants the opportunity to respond to "optional" supplemental essay questions...But are these prompts truly optional? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, lets you in on a college admissions secret.

The Expert’s Guide to Finding Sneaky Supplemental Essays

There's probably a section of the Common Application that says "Writing", in which all of the supplemental essays live, right? WRONG! Supplements can be found in a variety of places and can sneak up on students who have spent months preparing to submit their applications. Don't let that be you! This video will detail the several different places where you can find supplemental essays.

How to Write Vanderbilt University’s “Extracurricular Activities” Essay

Vanderbilt University's supplement consists of one prompt (text below). CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you take full advantage of this opportunity to illuminate your leadership skills or personal values for admissions.

The College Application ‘Activity’ and ‘Community’ Essays: What You Need to Know

Want the key to writing the most important and pervasive school-specific supplemental essays? We've got the tips and tricks you need to conquer the ever-popular "Activity" and "Community" supplements so you can showcase for admissions how you spend your time, where you feel like you belong and what truly motivates you to action. Assigned by schools like Harvard, Stanford, The University of Michigan and so many more, mastering these supplemental essays will ensure you utilize every opportunity a school's application provides to showcase your strengths.

What is a Supplemental Essay?

Most supplemental essay prompts are designed to both gauge a student’s interest and determine where a student might fit into a school’s particular community. Typically, these essays focus more specifically on future academic and professional goals, school-related activities and a student's role in your current community than the Common App's personal statement. Watch this video for a short and sweet introduction to supplemental essays. Know what you're up against!

How to Write a Powerful “Why Do You Want to Go Here?” Essay (The Why Essay)

The Why Essay takes on many forms and can ask many questions: What will you do when you get here? How will you take advantage of all the resources our school has to offer? How will the school support your academic or professional goals? How do your past experiences or future goals support these claims? It’s likely that many schools to which you apply will as the Why question in slightly different ways (and with a WIDE range of word limits). This video will teach you everything you need to know about how to respond to the "Why do you want to go here?" essay.

How to Respond to Quirky, Odd, and Bizarre College Essay Prompts

There are certain schools, like the University of Chicago, who have always taken special pride in developing crafty questions for their applicants to answer. In recent years, more schools are jumping on the bandwagon, luring students to their applications with questions like “What does #YOLO mean to you” (Tufts, 2013). This is both fun and exhausting for applicants who are grateful for an injection of modern, quirky inspiration, but whose creative wells may be running dry. This video will get down to the bottom line: Why are schools asking these questions and what are they looking for in applicants' responses?

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston University (with Winning Supplemental Essays)!

The Boston University application supplement is a gift: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required [full prompts below]. But beware, a simple supplement is no reason to ignore a school or save it until the last minute. In fact, it means you have no excuse not to nail your essay, so pay attention and do your work!

How to Write the “Why NYU?” Essay

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to pen one supplemental essay (prompt below) in addition to the personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to draft a compelling response.

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston College (with a Winning Supplemental Essay)!

Boston College asks students to select one prompt (out of four) to respond to in 400 words or less (prompts below). So what will you write about? Art, community, a contemporary problem, or character formation? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you all the information you need to select a prompt and write an amazing supplemental essay.

How to Write Fantastic Application Essays for the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia asks students to write two application essays of 200-300 words. The first prompt is set in stone, and for the second essay, applicants can choose one of four prompts to respond to [prompts below]. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts for UGA. Let's begin!

How to Write Short Answers and the Additional Info Essay

The challenge of short answer questions lies half in generating honest, unique and clever ideas, and the other in being concise. The purpose of additional info essays is to provide admissions with an explanation for a drop in grades, low test scores, or prolonged absences. Both of these essay types need to be handled with care -- and that's exactly what this video will show you how to do.

How to Get Into University of Texas: Austin (with Great Application Essays!)

The University of Texas: Austin application is a beast unto itself, with a slew of essay prompts (full text below) that ask you to dig into all aspects of your life. From your home life to your future plans, you're going to have to tell all -- and in a way that sets you apart! Luckily CEA's Founder, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the prompts so you're ready to tackle anything Texas' independent platform throws at you.

How to Get Into Emory University (With Amazing Supplemental Essays!)

Emory University asks first-year applicants to write two (2) essays in addition to the personal statement. Applicants must choose one prompt from the "Reflections" category and one prompt from the "Tell us about you" category. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts. Let's begin!

How To Answer Supplemental Application Questions: “Why Do You Want To Go Here?”

These days, most colleges and universities require supplemental applications in addition to the Common Application. You could be looking at a list of 10+ supplemental essays, so we made you a quick guide to the most common supplemental question: "Why do you want to go here?"

Guide to the 2018-19 Northwestern University Supplemental Essay

Are you planning to apply to Northwestern University? The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into Northwestern's supplemental essay prompt so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2018-19 University of Michigan Essays

Submitting your college application to the University of Michigan can be a real nail-biter. Michigan requires three supplemental essays. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

How to Get Into UNC (With a Great Essay)

UNC is well-known for being the first public university in the United States and a leader in innovative teaching strategies. The school is also known for receiving many college applications, which means it is crucial for applicants to differentiate themselves in their essays. Luckily for UNC hopefuls, the university gives students two additional supplemental prompts to respond to in order to set themselves apart from the sea of similarly qualified applicants and increase their chances of getting into UNC. College Essay Advisors Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the UNC supplemental prompts so you know which essays will showcase your best attributes!

Guide to the 2017-2018 Duke University Supplemental Essays

Submitting your college application to Duke University can be a real nail-biter. Although it's probably too late now to tweak your test scores or GPA, you can make sure that your college application essays will bring you admissions success! Duke requires one supplemental short answer and gives students the opportunity to respond to two optional prompts. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2017-2018 Harvard University Supplemental Essay

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country. Every year admissions officers are bombarded with applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Thus, Harvard has a supplement to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. Writing supplemental essays can be daunting, but luckily for you, College Essay Advisors founder (and admissions expert) Stacey Brook is here to break down the Harvard supplement so you can hit submit with confidence.

Resumes and Cover Letters

Four Steps to a Polished and Professional Cover Letter

If you’re wondering how you can write the kind of cover letter that grabs your potential employer’s attention and lands you an interview, you’ve come to the right place. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, presents four steps to drafting a polished and professional cover letter, and how to take full advantage of the opportunity to introduce yourself to the hiring committee.

How Much Should Your Resume and Cover Letter Overlap?

While your resume is meant to present a broad overview of your professional and relevant experience, your cover letter seeks to enhance your application by highlighting the specific elements of your resume that stand out for the particular job/role in question.

How to Write Strong Activity Descriptions for College Applications

Both the Common Application and UC Application provide space for applicants to list and describe the extracurricular activities they participated in throughout their academic careers. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, give you the tools you need to make the most out of your activity descriptions.

College Application Deadlines

The Single Choice Early Action Loophole You Need to Know About!

Many applicants think that applying Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action is basically the same as applying Early Decision—and they could not be more wrong!! CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to fill you in on the Restrictive Early Action/Single Choice Early Action loophole all applicants should know about!

The Secret Regarding Early College Application Deadlines

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to set the record straight regarding how much time you really have before submitting your Early Action and/or Early Decision applications this fall.

College Application Deadlines 101: Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling, and more!

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? What is Single Choice Early action? Is there really an advantage to applying early? What does “rolling” admission actually mean? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has all the answers.

• College Essay Examples

Is your College Essay Cliché?

Applicants often choose to write about cliché subjects because they THINK the resulting essays present the kinds stories admissions officers want to read. To the contrary, jumping on an essay cliché bandwagon can make it nearly impossible for an admissions officer to distinguish you from your closest competition. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor presents The Cliché Quiz.

Successful College Essay Examples: The Nature Painter

Many students find it helpful to familiarize themselves with successful college essays to better understand what it looks like (or sounds like) when it's done right. There are so many different ways to write a great college essay, so don't feel confined to any formula, structure, approach, or tone. In this essay, our student showcases his love of science and nature by explaining the importance of having the right tools, both as humans and in nature at large. He gained acceptance to Yale University, Stanford, Harvard.

College Essay Examples: How to Write About Another Person While Still Making the Essay About You

So you want to write your college essay about a person who is very important to you and has shaped the person you've become today, but you are nervous that the essay won't say enough about you as the applicant (after all, your grandma isn't applying to college, you are!). We totally get it. Tons of students run into this issue. That's why we're sharing one of our favorite essays, written by a student we're referring to as "What Makes a Woman." This student masters the art of writing about another person's struggles, while reflecting on her own obstacles, perceptions, and identity.

College Essay Examples: Pulling Your Reader in From the Start

So you're reading successful college essays and they sound awesome...but what's the use of a great essay if you don't understand which defining features make the essay sparkle? In this video, we will be exploring TWO successful college essay examples, both of which are great examples of how to pull a reader into your story using visuals, intrigue/suspense, and maybe a little bit of humor.

College Essay Examples: How to Incorporate Dialogue into Your Essay

One way to pull a reader into your essay from the very beginning is to start with dialogue. Many students don’t even consider adding an outdated adage from a parent or a hilarious crack from a high school coach to break up their prose, set the scene or build the profiles of their stories’ characters. And yet, dialogue is one of those devices that can give you a lot of bang for your buck, delivering a punch of personality or a wallop of context using just a few carefully culled utterances. Here is one successful example of how a student uses dialogue to immerse her reader in her essay. We call this applicant, "In The Car with Mom."

College Essay Examples: Writing About a Background, Identity, or Interest

Many students choose to respond to the Common Application's first prompt (listed below) for their personal statement. This student (who we're referring to as The Nike Jordans), is one of them. In her essay, she writes about her background in a way that invites the reader to step into her shoes in order to learn more about her character, outlook, and personality. She gained acceptance to Princeton, MIT, U Chicago, and Columbia, among others.

College Essay Examples: Challenging a Belief or Idea (with Humility)

In this essay, a student we're referring to as The Graduation Speaker, answers Common Application prompt #3. ("Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?") His essay is a fantastic example of how to approach this prompt with humility, wit, and likability. He submitted this essay as his personal statement and received acceptance to Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth, Duke, and UCLA.

Brainstorming Tips

How to Write a Great Transfer Essay

The transfer essay presents new hurdles that differ from those of the standard freshman personal statement. There are three key steps you must take to master the transfer essay. Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to write a fantastic transfer application essay!

How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions

What is the Personal Statement?

Since more colleges see the Common App’s personal statement than any other individual essay, this component of the application is where you want to unleash your very best ideas. But what does a personal statement entail? And how do you write a successful one? This video will address those questions and more!

How Important is the College Essay?

Why does the college essay matter? And how can you use this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice to your maximum advantage? This video will explain it all. Spoiler alert: You need to be authentic and memorable!

Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay: What You Need to Know

This video explores one of applicants’ most common college essay concerns: "What on earth should I write about?" Whether you are worried that you have nothing to say (“What if I’m BORING?!”), or too much to cover (“Which of my bazillion accomplishments does admissions want to hear about most?!”), this video will help you take a flying leap into the college essay topic selection process, walking you through our favorite exercises and strategies for identifying your best stories including our signature Backwards Brainstorm and the Full Body Brainstorm.

The Most Common Brainstorming Mistakes Writers Make

Brainstorming is HARD -- especially when it comes to brainstorming topics for college essays! This video will walk you though the most common brainstorming mistakes writers make, while illustrating how you can generate creative essay topics and ideas in a way that is fun, freeing, and fruitful.

What Admissions Officers Really Want from a College Essay

Know how long a college admissions officer spends reading your application? How about your essay? This video will lay out all the facts and stats you need to know about the secret lives of admissions officers. With this information in hand, you'll be better prepared to write the kind of essay admissions officers want to read. When it comes to college admissions, knowing your audience is everything.

Latest Videos

What To Do If You’ve Been Deferred By Your Dream School

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to offer advice on how to stand out after being deferred to the Regular Decision applicant pool. First, check your dream school's website to find out if they accept Deferral Letters (also known as Letters of Continued Interest). If they do, it's time to get typing.

Why Rejection is Actually Good For You

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, knows that many applicants receive disappointing admissions news around this time of year. She also knows that hearing the word “no” can be the best thing that can happen to us at a young age, and it’s important to remember that multiple paths can bring you to your dream.

College Essay Advisors Reviews: What It’s Like to Work with Us

Read reviews from our past clients to learn what it's like to work with College Essay Advisors. Whether you're applying to college as a high school student, or applying to medical school as a recent grad, we can help.

Deferrals and Rejections

How to Write a Successful College Admissions Deferral Letter

The deferral letter is similar in purpose to the waitlist letter. The only difference is the position you’re in, how much time you have to work with, and what other options are on the table for you. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you draft a distinct deferral letter for admissions.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Grad School

When it comes to writing a successful statement of purpose for graduate school, telling a personal story about your goals and ambitions is key. In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, answers frequently asked questions, provides viewers with brainstorming launch pads, and offers insight as to what grad school admissions officers are looking for.

Can A Great College Essay Get You Into College?

We've heard this question time and time again, "Can a great college essay get me into college?" There are many factors that go into an admission officer's decision to accept, defer, waitlist, or reject an applicant. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to answer the question once and for all!

How to Create a Winning Activity Resume (for College Applications!)

Many schools will ask you for an “activity resume,” and the Coalition and Common Application have separate sections specifically for activities and extracurriculars, so it’s really easy to overthink this piece of the application. If you’ve never written a resume before, getting started can be incredibly daunting, but don't worry -- CEA is here to help!

Unpopular Opinion: What to do When You’re Waitlisted

In this video, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, offers her (unpopular) opinion as to what students should do when waitlisted at their top college or university.

How to Get Off the Waitlist (at your Dream School)!

Waiting is tough, and it can feel like forever when it comes to college admissions. If you were waitlisted, don't panic; you are not alone. The good news is that you can do something about it. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about getting off the waitlist (and into the college of your dreams)!

How to Write a Unique College Essay About a Grandparent

So you just can’t shake the voice in your head telling you to write your college admissions essay about your grandma. We get it, grandparents are awesome! They know so much about you! And you’ve gained so much wisdom from your relationship with them! Writing a great personal statement or supplemental essay about them, however, is tricky. Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you make sure your essay stands out.

10 Things You Should NEVER Write in Your College Essay

In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DON'Ts of the college admissions essay writing process, so you can submit your Common App personal statement and school-specific supplemental essays with the utmost confidence! This video will teach you: what not to write under any circumstance (or most circumstances), the mistakes applicants make without even realizing, and more!

How to Turn your Outline into a Stellar Essay

Structuring a winning college admissions essay is hard. Should you start with the ending and then catch the reader up? Or throw them head first into the action and explain later? And where exactly should you put all of great sentences, you've come up with thus far? In this video, we'll teach you everything you need to know about turning your outline into a rough draft!

College Essay Writing Techniques: How to Write a Rough Draft

Not sure what to do with your brainstorming notes and freewriting? This video will show you how to focus on both breadth and depth while writing your Common App personal statement or school-specific supplemental essays. Build a strong foundation for your college essay by watching this tutorial!

Freewriting, Topic Selection, and the First Draft

Freewriting is the key to an amazing college application essay - especially the first draft! Fill up you blank page (or text box) with these tips for getting started (and never stopping) on your way to personal statement success.

Freewriting 101: How to Freewrite for Your College Essay

Freewriting is, at its core, just as it sounds: the act of writing freely. It is the exercise of jotting down whatever comes to mind, without judgment or worrying about the final product. Because the college admissions essay holds so much weight, many students struggle with the 'no judgement' part. This video will show you how to put your inner critic aside and let the writing flow.

How do You Know When You’ve Found THE Winning Topic? [TAKE THE TEST]

How do you know when you've found THE topic? You know, the topic that will rule all other topics. The one that will make admissions officers laugh or cry...or both? Does your topic have what it takes to make you stand out from a sea of similarly qualified applicants? This video is here to help you put your topic to the test.

How to Begin the College Essay Writing Process

One of the hardest parts of writing the college application essay is getting started. Where is the best place to begin? What does admissions really want to hear from you? And how do you know if you’re moving in the right direction? We made this video full of helpful tips to help you break through your initial writing blocks and get you on the road to college essay success.

How To Outline Your Personal Statement

Extracting a killer college application essay from your notes, brainstorms, and freewrites may seem like a daunting task. You love your topic, but your ideas are scattered. That's why outlining is your friend.

The Trick to Writing an Amazing Opening Line

The personal statement is a crucial part of your college application, but it won't help you if it bores admissions officers to tears! Learn the do's and don'ts of how to write a powerful opening line that pulls your reader in from the very first word.

How To Write a Memorable Closing Line

Your personal statement should tell a memorable story that admissions officers just can't shake. Your closing line is your final shot to make a lasting impression before your college fate is sealed! The experts at College Essay Advisors have lined up their most essential tips for writing a killer closing line.

Storytelling

College Essay Tips: Strategies for Holding an Admissions Officer’s Attention

Most admissions essay are boring! What can you do to actively pull an admissions officer through your narrative with pointed interest? Are there strategies you can use to push a story forward with a sense of urgency? Of course there are! This video will show you a few of the most effective strategies to capture and keep your reader's attention.

How to Make a College Essay Outline (Before Writing Your Draft)!

You have amazing ideas on the page, and now you want to mold these thoughts and concepts into the first semblance of a draft -- but how?! With an outline, of course! If you are equipped with a topic and some freewrites but still don't know how to structure your story, this video will teach you to organize your thoughts into a map that will guide you through the rest of your essay writing process.

How to Find Golden Ideas in your College Essay Freewrites

In this video, CEA shows you how to find big patterns in your freewrites and brainstorming notes. Once you identify the prevailing themes and messages in your writing, it's much easier to decide which sentences, ideas, and metaphors will enhance your personal essay and which ones belong on the cutting room floor!

Final Tips for Improving Your College Essay Draft

This is the expert advice we give to our one-on-one advising clients on how they can find ways to reword and restructure their essays into polished, final drafts worthy of an admissions officer's careful read-through. Don't submit an essay that you haven't edited, revised, and polished!

The Triple Edit: Editing Your College Essay for Intrigue

One of the most important steps in the admissions essay creation process is editing your essay for maximum impact. We’re going to show you how to refine the small details within that narrative in the form of a Triple Editing process. Step One: Editing for Intrigue. Let's begin!

Questions to Ask Yourself After You Finish Your Common App Personal Statement

Does your essay check all the college admissions success boxes? Before you put down your pen (or relax your fingers), you are going to want to ask yourself a few questions. This video will walk you through each of these questions and help you find the answers: 1. Will this essay make admissions wish they could meet me in person? Does it inspire them to want to know more about me? 2. Is this essay actually about me? 3. Will anyone else be able to write this essay in the way I wrote it? Would it be crazy to think of someone else claiming my essay as his/her own? 4. What does this essay say about me? What is the ultimate message I am hoping to convey? 5. Do I feel good about this essay? Would I feel proud reading it aloud in front of an audience? Does it represent who I really am?

How to Review Your Draft to Find Errors | College Essay Quick Tips

What do you do when you have already brainstormed, selected a magic topic, written multiple drafts of your essay, and edited your masterpiece? You review your draft, of course! Over the years, CEA has mastered the art of the review and that's exactly what CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is going to teach you to do in this video from College Essay Advisors.

Dos and Don’ts

CEA’s Tips for Maintaining your Sanity and Combatting Stress During College Application Season

If you find yourself hyperventilating over your Common Application personal statement or simply want to recharge before diving into your fourth Why essay, give the exercises in this video a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the power a posture, a few words, or some silence can have on your mentality.

The 10 Things You Must Do to Write a College Essay Worthy of Admission

In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DOs of the college admissions essay writing process, a series of tips that will help you write a personal statement that truly makes an impact on admissions officers and helps you gain acceptance to top schools across the country. Learn what you must include in your essay for it to have a powerful impact, surefire ways to get closer to college essay success, and so much more!

Top 10 College Essay Closing Line Dos and Don’ts

How do you leave an admissions officer with a lasting impression? What makes a college essay truly memorable? Our Top 10 Dos and Don'ts for College Essay Closing Lines will show you how to effectively wrap up your essay and leave admissions with a sense of who you are that they won't easily forget.

The Most Common Mistakes Students Make in Their College Essays

The admissions essay is a crucial part of your college application because it is the only chance you have to communicate with admissions officers in your own voice. You need to take advantage of every word at your disposal and send the message that you’re the kind of student that colleges should want on their campus. Over our thirteen years of coaching students through the college essay process, we have identified the most common mistakes students make when writing their college essay. Don’t do these things!

Can You Write About Volunteering in Your College Essay?

Can you write about volunteering in your college admissions essay? Well, you shouldn’t write about a community-service initiative just because you think it’s what admissions wants to hear. Some essays about volunteer efforts inevitably come off as inauthentic (because they often are).

You Should Never Write This in Your College Essay

Here is a short and sweet tip from Team CEA: make sure you NEVER write this in your college essay. Keep watching to discover the ultimate college essay don't!

Most Common Essay Topic Mistakes

Before you decide on your final college application essay topic, check to make sure you haven't made any of these common mistakes.

How to Ask Your Parents for Help

As you zone in on the topic you want to write about in your college application essays, mine for the details that will bring your story to life. Approach this phase of writing the personal statement as an interview: what kinds of questions would other people ask? How would you answer them?

Coalition App Essay Prompts

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #6: Topic of Your Choice (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to talk you through the Coalition App's sixth and final essay prompt.

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #5: A Success or Obstacle (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break the Coalition App's fifth prompt down, so you can approach the essay writing process with clarity and purpose.

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #4: An Idea or Belief (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you think through the Coalition App's fourth prompt, so you can make sure your essay stands out.

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #3: A Positive Impact (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the Coalition App's third essay prompt, so you can write a response worthy of admission.

Coalition Application’s Essay Prompt #1: A Story From Your Life (2022-23)

The 2022-23 Coalition Application essay prompts have been announced, which means you can start writing your personal statement right away! CEA Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to explain what the Coalition App's first prompt is REALLY asking and offer some tips and tricks for penning your response.

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How to write a YouTube script: A step-by-step guide

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Table of contents, why script your youtube videos, pre-writing considerations, 1. introduction, 2. research your topic, 3. write the content and notes for editing, 4. include a call to action (cta), 5. conclusion, tracking how well your videos perform, create high-quality content with speechify video studio.

Are you a new YouTuber? Here's a detailed guide on how to write a YouTube script and create engaging video content.

In the current digital age, YouTube has become a compelling platform for creativity, entertainment, education, and expression. It offers an avenue for people to share their passions, skills, knowledge, and opinions with viewers across the globe. One of the fundamental steps in crafting compelling video content is script writing. An organized, well-thought-out script can make the difference between a video that captivates and retains its audience and one that falls flat. Despite its importance, however, script writing is often overlooked by many content creators in the video production process.

Here, we delve into the importance of scripting your videos before hitting the record button, the necessary preparations before penning a script, a step-by-step guide to writing an effective YouTube script, and additional tips for creating engaging video content. Embracing these techniques can transform your video creation process, leading to higher viewer engagement and overall YouTube channel success.

Scripting your videos before recording ensures a clear, concise, and well-planned delivery. A good script helps you stay on topic, convey your main points effectively, and engage your audience, leading to improved viewer retention. Moreover, it assists in the video editing process, acting as a roadmap for on-screen animations, B-roll, transitions, and other elements that can take your content to the next level.

Before you dive into video script writing, consider the following:

• Decide on a topic — Choose something relevant to your YouTube channel, interesting to you, and valuable to your target audience. For how-to videos and tutorials, identify a pain point your audience experiences.
• Know your audience — Understanding your target audience's needs, preferences, and vernacular allows you to write a script that resonates and engages.
• Create your brand voice — Your brand voice should be consistent across all your content, making your videos easily recognizable to your viewers.

Writing a YouTube video script

Once the initial research is complete, you can start crafting your YouTube script. Here's a step-by-step process:

The intro should grab your viewers’ attention, introducing the video's topic while hinting at what's to come. The video title and thumbnail play crucial roles here.

Deep-dive into your subject matter. Include interesting facts, stats, or anecdotes that support your content and keep your audience engaged.

Divide your script into manageable sections or topics, each covering a specific point. Include notes for your video editor detailing where to insert B-roll, animations, or pattern interrupts to make the video more engaging.

CTAs guide your audience to engage further with your content or channel. This could be a prompt to subscribe, visit your social media profiles, or check out other videos on your channel.

Wrap up your video by summarizing your main points and reinforcing your CTA.

Scriptwriting tips for engaging video content

Finally, remember these tips to create engaging video content:

• Keep it conversational — Write as if you're speaking to a friend. This creates a more intimate and engaging viewer experience.
• Use SEO best practices — Incorporate specific keywords in your script to improve your YouTube SEO and video marketing strategy. This can help your content get discovered.
• Length matters — While the ideal video length can vary, a rule of thumb is to keep it as concise as possible without sacrificing the quality of the content.
• Use a script template — A free video script template can help streamline the content creation process, especially for beginners.

Writing a compelling YouTube video script is a skill that develops over time. With practice, your script writing and video content creation skills will undoubtedly improve, leading to a more successful and engaging YouTube channel.

Tracking video performance is crucial to understand the effectiveness of your content and to guide your YouTube content strategy. Various metrics can be used to gauge success, such as view count, watch time, audience retention, likes, shares, comments, and subscriber growth. YouTube provides an analytics tool where you can access this data.

Look at how your video is performing over time—are viewers dropping off at certain points, or are they staying engaged throughout? Which videos get the most shares or comments? By delving into the details, you can identify what works and what doesn't. Additionally, if your videos have CTAs, track how many viewers are following through. All these insights will help you create more effective and engaging video content in the future.

The bar is high for creating quality content on YouTube, especially for new YouTube channels. Get a head start with making engaging video content with the help of Speechify Video Studio. This versatile video editing tool is powered by many advanced AI features that help you create high-quality videos in just a few clicks. Choose from a huge library of video templates, import your script for natural-sounding AI voiceovers, add instant subtitles and translations, include professional-quality special effects, and more all within this user-friendly software.

Transform your video content with Speechify Video Studio , and watch your YouTube channel grow.

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Text to Speech API Python: A Comprehensive Guide

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

How to Write YouTube Video Scripts?

Writing a script for a YouTube video can seem overwhelming, but it is an essential step in creating high-quality content. A well-written script can help you keep your content organized, focused, and engaging for your audience. 

In this article, we will provide tips and tricks on how to write effective YouTube video scripts. We will cover the basics of script structure, writing styles, some  video marketing trends for 2023 , and best practices for scripting a YouTube video. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced content creator, this guide will help you take your video scripting skills to the next level.

• What Is a Video Script?

A YouTube video script is a written document that specifies the content and aspects of a video production that is designed exclusively for the YouTube platform. 

It contains the speech, images, and special effects that will appear in the finished video. Writing a script for a YouTube video is essential since it ensures that the video is well-structured, focused, and interesting for the intended audience. 

A well-written script may also make the video production process easier to plan and execute. A video script is a vital tool for YouTube content creators who want to create high-quality, popular videos that engage and amuse their audience. At the same time, having a clear script can help you lower the time spent  editing YouTube videos , as you will already have a clear structure for your video content.

• Why Do You Need a Video Script?

A video script is a crucial part of the video production process, as it serves several important purposes. Some of the reasons why you need a video script include:

• Organization: A video script helps you organize your thoughts and ideas, ensuring that your video has a clear structure and message.
• Improved storytelling:  A script allows you to plan and craft your story, improving the overall quality of the final video.
• Better time management:  Having a script allows you to plan and execute the video production process more efficiently, saving time and reducing the risk of mistakes.
• Consistency:  A script helps ensure that all elements of the video, such as visuals, dialogue, and sound effects, are consistent and in-sync with one another.
• Better engagement: A well-written script can help to make your video more engaging and entertaining for your audience, increasing the chances of it being shared and viewed by a larger audience.

How to Write a YouTube Video Script

Writing the script for your next YouTube video can seem like a daunting task. After all, it's not like writing a blog post or an article, where you have complete control over what gets said and how it is conveyed to an audience. With YouTube videos, there are a number of factors that need to be considered in order to ensure that people will actually want to watch them! But don't worry—we'll walk you through everything you need to know about creating effective scripts for YouTube content.

These are the steps on how to write script for YouTube video:

• 1. Define your audience

Defining your target audience is an important stage in the screenplay writing process since it influences the tone, style, and substance of the video. You may generate content that is especially customized to the requirements and interests of your target audience once you know who they are.

Consider age group, gender, employment, geography, and hobbies when determining your target audience. This information will assist you in determining what type of material is likely to appeal to your target audience, as well as how to effectively contact them.

It is also important to consider how many people your video is likely to reach, and if there are any specific demographics you can target. For example, if you are creating a video about a new product, you may want to target a specific age group or gender.

• 2. Deliver a story

Telling a story is a powerful tool for making your point more memorable and engaging for your audience. When you use a story to illustrate your message, it helps to bring abstract concepts to life and make them more relatable for your viewers.

However, it is critical to select a narrative that is directly related to your issue and meaningful to your target audience. A tale that is too tangential or does not resonate with your audience will likely distract rather than strengthen your point.

When selecting a story to use in your video, think about what message you want to convey and what kind of story would be the best fit. For example, if you're trying to explain a complex concept, a personal anecdote or case study may be the most effective way to illustrate your point.

Remember, the goal of using a story in your video is to make your message more memorable and relatable for your audience. So choose your story wisely and make sure it supports your overall objective.

• 3. Start with an outline

Having a clear outline before you start writing your script can be incredibly helpful in ensuring that your video is well-structured, concise, and effective in communicating your message. The outline should include the key points you want to cover in the video and any visuals you want to include to help illustrate your points.

By having an outline in place, you can ensure that your script stays focused on your main message and doesn't veer off into unrelated territory. You can also use the outline to determine the most effective way to present your information and ensure that the video is well-paced and engaging for your audience.

Additionally, having an outline can make the writing process smoother and more efficient, as you'll already have a clear idea of what you want to include in your script. This can save you time and reduce the risk of writer's block. If you’re ready to take your content a step further and collaborate with a brand or fellow creator, check out this free  video brief template that will level up your YouTube video game.

You can also record yourself while drafting the script and then  convert the audio to text.

• 4. Establish a problem, solution and urgency

Another step in writing your script is to establish the problem you are trying to solve for your readers. You can do this by asking them questions like: What are their biggest challenges? What problems do they face on a daily basis? Why do they need help with these challenges or problems? Then, once you've defined the issue at hand, explain how your product or service can provide an elegant solution that will benefit them immensely (and also help them achieve their goals).

Asking these types of questions will not only help refine what type of content would be most beneficial for viewers but also ensure that it aligns with their needs and interests so as not waste any time during production - which means more money saved!

• 5. Address pain points

As a content creator, you're going to want to address the pain points that your audience is experiencing. Pain points are the things that make your audience feel uncomfortable. If you address these issues, it will make them feel more comfortable watching and listening to what you have to say. On the other hand, if there are certain topics or concerns which aren't addressed in your video script then this could lead viewers feeling anxious about these issues being left out of the conversation altogether (or at least not given enough attention).

For example: If someone had just lost their job because their company went under due to layoffs at work and was unable to find another job anywhere else because there were no openings available right now due to high unemployment rates across all industries - this would be considered a "pain point" since it's something which causes stress/anxiety within themselves while also making them feel powerless over their situation (i..e., not having any control over whether or not they get hired again).

6. Don’t forget to make it sound like you 

Humor in your video script may be a very effective approach to make your material more engaging and interesting for your viewers. Humor may contribute to a more relaxed and casual tone, helping your audience feel more connected to you and your company. Furthermore, comedy may be an effective strategy for making your material more memorable, increasing the likelihood that viewers will share your video with others on social media.

However, it is critical to employ comedy in a way that is acceptable for your target audience and video theme. Avoid utilizing inappropriate, insulting, or contentious comedy, since it is unlikely to resonate with your audience and may harm your brand's reputation.

• 7. Utilize AI technology

OpenAI's language model, ChatGPT, is a powerful tool for writers and content creators looking to craft the perfect video script. By using AI technology, ChatGPT can provide suggestions and generate ideas for your script, helping you to stay on track and avoid writer's block.

For example, if you're struggling to come up with a story to use in your video, ChatGPT can suggest a relevant story or case study that aligns with your message. If you need help with word choice or phrasing,  ChatGPT can provide suggestions that help to make your script more engaging and relatable for your audience.

Whether one is seeking for a vlog introduction script or a YouTube channel introduction script, Chat GPT can help all video creators draft their content! You can also use the generated script to  add text to video .

• Ready to Start Creating Videos Based on a Script?

Writing a video script is an important step in the video creation process. It allows you to organize your thoughts, structure your content, and effectively communicate your message to your audience.

So if you're ready to start creating videos based on a script, take the time to carefully consider these tips and tricks. With the right preparation, tools and a  free template for video briefs to up your organization game, you'll be well on your way to creating videos that connect with your audience and effectively communicate your message.

As you move forward with your video creation, consider using a video editing tool like Flixier to help you bring your script to life. With its user-friendly interface and powerful editing capabilities, Flixier can help you to quickly and easily create videos that look professional and polished. So why wait? Get started with Flixier today and take your video creation to the next level!

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to write a script for a YouTube video?

How long should a 10-minute YouTube script be?

Do vloggers have scripts?

Content Writer at Flixier

Andra is highly curious about the marketing field, but most of her experience lays in the content writing sphere, mainly in relation to social media marketing, social media automation, and video marketing.

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Supreme Court’s ‘Chevron’ ruling means changes for writing laws

Kaye Pestaina, a vice president at KFF, a health policy organization, on Friday said the ruling could make it more difficult for Congress to pass laws if they have to include the smallest of details in legislation.

Congress often intentionally leaves gaps in legislation for agencies to work out in regulation, Pestaina said. It made it easier for Congress to come to agreements on some complicated issues, but now it could leave agencies vulnerable to lawsuits over regulations implementing those laws.

“You can’t possibly write every technical issue into a statute. It could also make it difficult for legislators to compromise on topics if they need to be more specific and put in more details,” Pestaina said. “And for health care, it’s going to be the consumer that is impacted.”

David Doniger, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said he was more worried about the ability of Congress to pass laws in the future that could stand up to scrutiny with the new standard laid out by the court.

“For Congress, when it writes these laws, knows that it can’t foresee everything. It can’t get to everything in real time. You’re lucky if Congress visits a statute every 10 years,” Doniger said to reporters Friday.

“So we’re going to see a lot more impediments to effectively protecting us against the kinds of new problems that the world throws at us,” Doniger said. “And there are a lot of those.”

Just getting those new laws written could be a heavy lift, according to J.D. Rackey, a senior policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center and former staff member on the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

Rackey said Congress doesn’t currently have the staff or technical expertise to write more fine-tuned legislation. Frequently, committees don’t have enough staff or in-depth policy knowledge to write the kind of specific legislation that would survive the scrutiny of the current Supreme Court.

“Even if you want a smaller government, if you want government to do anything, this ruling requires Congress to be much more proscriptive and to have the capacity to do so,” Rackey said. “Outside of the larger policy goals that any one party might have, any future lawmaking is going to be impacted with this decision.”

Rackey pointed out that the House has recently “come around” to the idea that Congress doesn’t have the technical expertise to write rules, and he pointed to the more than 200 recommendations from the select modernization panel he worked on. Many of those have been implemented, he said, but “not enough to reckon with this reality. But it does set the institution on a path to being able to grapple with it.”

The process of writing legislation itself would also get more complicated, Rackey said, as legislators could no longer rely on agencies to make potentially fraught decisions. Getting to final results could mean longer negotiations, more tough votes, more days in Washington and more resources for members and staff.

“I think the level of activity that Congress is going to need to exhibit is going to increase, and I’m not quite sure in the few hours post-decision that they’ve really reckoned with that reality,” Rackey said.

Future actions

Democrats in Congress, the Biden administration and advocates for consumers and environmental organizations criticized the Supreme Court for taking more power for itself.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the decision “takes our country backwards” and undermines the ability of agencies to use their expertise to protect the public.

House Judiciary ranking member Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., called the ruling a “power grab” in a statement Friday and argued that Congress should pass legislation (H.R. 1507) to beef up the federal rulemaking process.

In his own statement Friday, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Congress had to act to “rein in the outrageous abuses of this brazen Court.”

“In overruling Chevron, the Trump MAGA Supreme Court has once again sided with powerful special interests and giant corporations against the middle class and American families. Their headlong rush to overturn 40 years of precedent and impose their own radical views is appalling,” Schumer said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer in a statement praised the end of a Chevron doctrine that “led to a massive expansion of the federal government and a reduction of Congress’ role in the policymaking process.”

“Republican committees will be conducting oversight to ensure agencies follow the Court’s ruling and no longer engage in excessive interpretative license in administering statutes under their jurisdiction,” the House GOP leaders said.

Rep. Mark E. Green, R-Tenn., said he would introduce legislation to require the federal government to start sunsetting all agency rules upheld by Chevron unless Congress takes action to uphold them.

“Chevron Deference not only usurps Congress’ lawmaking authority, but gives unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats in Washington enormous control over the lives of Americans. My legislation seeks to right this imbalance and restore Congress and the judiciary to their rightful places in our Constitutional system,” Green said.

Green said Congress needs to “step up its game” and write more clear legislation after Friday’s ruling.

“We can no longer pass the buck when it comes to our legislative duty. We’ve got to be committed to writing clear legislation. Congress has abdicated its role for decades, it’s way past time for that to change,” Green said.

Jessie Hellmann contributed to this report.

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Copa America

Panama are Copa America’s surprise package writing their own destiny

Panama’s Cristian Martinez put the ball exactly where Jose Fajardo would be most dangerous. All it took was a clever touch and a quick turn for the striker to effortlessly drill the ball past Bolivia ’s goalkeeper, bringing 12,933 fans in Orlando to their feet.

“The goal gave me confidence,” Fajardo said. It gave him “more security”.

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It also gave Panama its opening goal against Bolivia, setting the pace for what would be a thrilling performance by the Central Americans. With an eventual 3-1 victory against Bolivia, Panama, for the first time, had stamped its ticket to the knockout rounds of a Copa America .

This was a historic night for Panama, one of the biggest surprise packages of the tournament. The win also solidified an end to the United States’ hopes of making another deep run in Copa America. Instead, thanks to Panama’s victory and a 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Monday, the host nation has now exited the competition.

No matter that this historic feat was witnessed by one of the smallest crowds at Copa America this summer, fans filled the stadium with chants of “Panama! Panama!” and “Ole! Ole! Ole!” as they carried their euphoric nation with them.

This is only the second time Panama has featured in the traditionally South American competition, making their debut in 2016. That year, they failed to pass the group stage. Panama and Canada remain the only CONCACAF nations to have qualified for the quarterfinals. Costa Rica , whose chances of advancing are slim, will learn its fate on Tuesday night.

For Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen, his team’s surprising run is exactly what he had hoped for.

“When we were going to leave for the United States, I said I would like to be the surprise (of the tournament), like Morocco in the (2022) World Cup (who made it to the semi-finals),” he told reporters. “Well, at least now we’re through to the next round. I am happy. Super happy.”

Christiansen took the helm of the national team in July 2020, replacing Argentine manager Americo Gallego amid a restructuring in Panamanian football. The Dane has repeatedly told reporters that this successful run at the tournament so far has reflected the progress Panama has made in those four years.

“It’s constant, really, what we have been doing, what we have been reaping in these almost four years,” Christiansen said. “(Is it a) coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidences. You have to work. You have to fight for it. Luck alone isn’t enough.”

That Panama’s win happened at Inter&Co Stadium, forcing the Americans to exit Copa America, may have been just that: a bittersweet, ironic coincidence.

This was, after all, the same pitch where Panama’s campaign to reach the World Cup in Qatar was ended after a 5-1 defeat to the U.S. in March 2022. Back then, an emotional Christiansen exited the pitch, vowing to remain at the helm of his team. On Monday night, the tables reversed.

Panama’s strength has been evident in the group stage. Despite having lost 3-1 to Uruguay in their opening game, Panama is still the only team to have scored on the tournament favorite. The team’s success is not lost on its players.

Monday’s win “is the result of the hard work we’ve been doing for quite some time,” Martinez said. “I believe today that was reflected in the tournament. I’m happy with the story that we’re writing, and for making it to the quarterfinals.”

Martinez’s assist to Fajardo was the spark Panama needed against Bolivia, which has been the nation to concede the most goals in the competition (10). While the South Americans did not make it easy for Panama, with Bruno Miranda equalizing in the 69th minute, Bolivia were only to keep the game tied for a long 10 minutes.

The USMNT's six minutes of hope - and what it says about this team

Christiansen’s decision to bring fresh legs into the match paid off, with both remaining goals scored for Panama coming from players recently subbed in. Eduardo Guerrero scored a diving header just five minutes after entering the match and Cesar Yanis sealed Panama’s victory in the 91st minute just seconds after coming onto the pitch.

“It’s true, we are the surprise of the tournament,” Panama defender Cesar Blackman said following the victory. “No one expected it. We were able to win that game against the United States. Now, we were able to respond well against Bolivia. We eliminated one of the giants.”

“We’re very happy. The team is happy,” he continued. “I believe all of Panama is happy with us and, well, now we have to look towards the quarterfinals.”

That match will likely feature another tournament giant: Colombia or Brazil.

“We know it’s going to be a very difficult game,” Blackman said. “But we came to this Copa America to compete and to continue making history.”

(Top photo: Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images) 

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10 of the Most Niche YouTube Video Essays You Absolutely Need to Watch

YouTube’s algorithm is designed to keep your eyeballs glued to video after video (after video, after video...). The dangers of this rabbit hole are well-documented . However, for every ideological radicalization enabled by YouTube, I like to think there’s at least one innocent, newfound pop culture obsession discovered at 3 a.m. via the greatest medium of our time: the Video Essay.

The genre of YouTube video essays is more interesting than it sounds. Sure, any piece of video content that advances a central thesis could be considered a “video essay.” But there are key components of video essays that elevate the genre into so much more than simply a YouTube version of a written article. Over the past few years, the term “YouTube video essay” has grown to evoke connotations of niche fascination and discovery. For creators, the field is highly competitive with strong personalities trying to get eyes on extremely in-depth analysis of a wide range of topics. The “niche” factor is especially important here. Ultimately, the hallmark of a good video essay is its ability to captivate you into watching hours of content about a subject matter you would have never expected to care about in the first place. Scary? Maybe. Fun? Definitely.

Whether you’re skeptical about the power of video essays, or you’re an existing fan looking for your next niche obsession, I’ve rounded up some of my personal favorite YouTube video essays for you to lean in and watch. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, and it largely reflects what the algorithm thinks (knows) I personally want to watch.

Other factors that influenced my selection process: The video essays needed to have a strong, surprising thesis—something other than a creator saying “ this thing good ” or “ this thing bad. ” These videos also stood out to me due to their sheer amount of thorough, hard-hitting evidence, as well as the dedication on the behalf of the YouTubers who chose to share with us hours upon hours of research into these topics.

And yes, I have watched all the hours of content featured here. I’m a professional.

Disney’s FastPass: A Complicated History

Let’s start strong with a documentary so premium, I can’t believe it’s free. Multiple articles and reviews have been dedicated to Defunctland’s video series about, well, waiting in line. I know what you’re thinking—the only thing that sounds more boring than waiting in line is watching a video about waiting in line. But Defunctland’s investigation into the history of Disneyland’s FastPass system has so much more to offer.

Class warfare. Human behavior. The perils of capitalism. One commenter under the video captures it well by writing “oddly informative and vaguely terrifying.” Since its launch in 2017, Kevin Perjurer’s entire Defunctland YouTube channel has become a leading voice in extremely thorough video essays. The FastPass analysis is one of the most rewarding of all of Defunctland’s in-depth amusement park coverage.

I won’t spoil it here, but the best part of the video is hands-down when Perjurer reveals an animated simulation of the theme park experience to test out how various line-reservation systems work. Again, no spoilers, but get ready for a wildly satisfying “gotcha” moment.

Personally, I’ve never had any interest one way or another about Disney-affiliated theme parks. I’ve never been, and I never planned on going. That’s the main reason I’m selling you on this video essay right off the bat. Defunctland is a perfect example of how the genre of video essays has such a high bar for investigative reporting, shocking analysis, and an ability to suck you in to a topic you never thought you’d care about.

Watch time : 1:42:59 (like a proper feature documentary)

THE Vampire Diaries Video

No list of video essays can get very far without including Jenny Nicholson , a true titan of the genre. Or, as one commenter puts it, “The power of Jenny Nicholson: getting me to watch an almost three hour long video about something I don’t care about.” I struggled to pick which of her videos to feature here, but at over seven million views, “THE Vampire Diaries Video” might just be Nicholson’s magnum opus. Once you break out the red string on a cork board, it’s safe to say that you’re in magnum opus territory.

I haven’t ever seen an episode of CW’s The Vampire Diaries , but since this video essay captivated me, I can safely say that I’m an expert on the show. Nicholson’s reputation as a knowledgeable, passionate, funny YouTuber is well-earned. She’s a proper geek, and watching her cultural analyses feel like I’m nerding out with one of my smartest friends. If you really don’t think The Vampire Diaries investigation is for you (and I argue that it’s for everyone), I recommend “ A needlessly thorough roast of Dear Evan Hansen ” instead.

Watch time : 2:33:19

In Search Of A Flat Earth

Did you think you could get through a YouTube video round-up without single mention of Flat Earthers? Wishful thinking.

“In Search of Flat Earth” is a beautiful, thoughtful video essay slash feature-length documentary. Don’t go into this video if you’re looking to bash and ridicule flat earth conspiracy theorists. Instead, Olson’s core argument takes a somewhat sympathetic gaze to the fact that Flat Earthers cannot be “reasoned” out of their beliefs with “science” or “evidence.” Plus, this video has a satisfying second-act plot twist. As Olson points out, “In Search of Flat Earth” could have an alternative clickbait title of “The Twist at 37 Minutes Will Make You Believe We Live In Hell.” Over the years,  Dan Olson of Folding Ideas has helped to popularize the entire video essay genre, and this one just might be his masterpiece.

Watch time : 1:16:16

The Rise and Fall of Teen Dystopias

Sarah Z is your go-to Gen Z cultural critic and explainer. The YouTuber brings her knack for loving-yet-shrewd analysis to dig into fandom culture, the YA book industry, and why the teen dystopia got beaten into the ground.

I’ve found that one of the most reliable video essay formulas is some version of “what went wrong with [incredibly popular cultural moment].” In the case of teen dystopias, it’s a fascinating take on how a generation of teen girls were drawn to bad ass, anti-establishment heroines, only to watch those types of characters get mass produced and diluted into mockery. But maybe I’m biased here; as the exact demographic targeted by the peak of The Hunger Games, Twilight, and Divergent, this cultural debrief speaks to my soul.

Watch time : 1:22:41

A Buffet of Black Food History

Food is an effective way to combine economic, cultural, and social histories–and Black American food history is an especially rich one. Food resonates with people, allowing us to connect with the past in a much more real way than if we were memorizing dates and locations from a textbook. Historian Elexius Jionde of Intelexual Media is a pro at taking what could be a standard history lesson and turning it into an interesting journey full of crazy characters and tidbits.

Most of the comments beneath the video are complaints that the video deserves to be so much longer. It’s jam-packed with surprising facts, fun asides, and, of course, tantalizing descriptions of the food at hand. Jionde even warns you right at the top: “Turn this video off right now if you’re hungry.”

Watch time : 22:39

The reign of the Slim-Thick Influencer

At this point, I’m assuming you know what a BBL is. Even if you aren’t familiar with the term (Brazilian butt lifts, FYI), then you’ve still probably observed the trend. Before big butts, it was thigh gaps. The pendulum swing of trending body types is nothing new. Curves are in, curves are out, thick thighs save lives, “skinny fat” is bad, and now, “slim thick” looms large. How do different body types fall in and out of fashion, and what effect does this have on the people living in those bodies?

Creator Khadija Mbowe identifies and analyzes a lot of the issues with how women’s bodies (especially Black women’s) are commodified, without ever blaming the bodies that are under fire. Mbowe handles the topic with grace and humor, even when discussing how deeply personal it is to them. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a photo of an Instagram influencer, please do yourself a favor and watch this video essay.

Watch time : 54:18

Flight of the Navigator

Once again: I have been sucked into a video about a film that I have never seen and probably never will. Captain Disillusion, whose real name is Alan Melikdjanian, is another giant of the video essay genre, posting videos to a not-too-shabby audience of 2.29 million subscribers. Most of Captain Dissilision’s videos that I’d seen before this were of the creator debunking viral videos, exposing how certain visual effects were “obviously” faked. In this video, he turns his eye for debunking special effects not to viral videos, but to the 1986 Disney sci-fi adventure Flight of the Navigator.

This behind-the-scenes analysis of the Disney film is incredibly informative, tackling every instance when someone might ask, “ Hey, how did they manage to film that? ” It also touches upon the history of the special effects industry, something that deserves a little extra appreciation as CGI takes over every corner of movie-making.

Watch time : 41:28

The Failure of Victorious

YouTuber Quinton Reviews is dedicated to his craft, and I thank him for it. As you’ve certainly caught on to by now, you truly do not need to know anything about the show Victorious to enjoy an hours-long video essay that digs into it. What makes this video stand out is the sheer amount of content that this YouTuber both consumed and then created for us. Part of the video length—a whopping five hours—is due to the fact that every single episode of the Nickelodeon show is dissected. Another reason for the length is all the care that Quinton Reviews puts into providing context. And the context is what made me stick around: the failures of TV networks, the psychological dangers of working as child stars, and the questionable adult jokes that were broadcast to young audiences…if you’re at all interested in tainting your memory of hit Nickelodeon shows, this video is for you.

Watch time : 5:34:58 ( And that’s just part one. Strap in! )

Why Anime is for Black People

In this video Travis goes through the history of the “hip hop x anime” phenomenon, in which East Asian media permeates Black culture (and vice versa, as he hints at near the end). Although I am (1) not Black and (2) not an avid anime fan, I first clicked on this video because I’m a fan of comedian and writer Yedoye Travis. And yet—big shocker—I was immediately engrossed with the subject matter, despite having no context heading into it. Once you finish watching this video, be sure to check out Megan Thee Stallion’s interview about her connection to anime .

I haven’t run this part by my editor yet, but now would be a prime time to plug Lifehacker Editor-in-Chief Jordan Calhoun’s book, Piccolo Is Black: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Pop Culture . Just saying.

Watch time : 18:34 (basically nothing in the world of video essays, especially compared to the five hours of Victorious content I binged earlier)

Efficiency in Comedy: The Office vs. Friends

I’m rounding out this list on a note of personal sentimentality. This is one of the first video essays that got me hooked on the format, mostly because I had followed creator Drew Gooden to YouTube after his stardom on Vine (RIP). This video is one of his most popular, combining comedy and math to pit two of the most popular sitcoms of all time in a joke-for-joke battle.

Gooden in particular stands out as someone who excels as both an earnest comic and a thoughtful critic of comedy. I appreciate his perspective as someone who knows what it’s like to work for a laugh and wants to get to the bottom of why something is or isn’t funny. This isn’t even one of Gooden’s best videos (I actually think his take on the parallels between Community and Arrested Development has a much stronger argument), but it’s a great example of the sort of perspective best situated to make video essays in the first place. Because what makes all these video essays so compelling is often the personality behind the argument. These aren’t investigative journalists or professional critics. They’re YouTubers. Really smart YouTubers, but still: These videos are born out of everyday people who simply have something to say.

I believe the modern YouTube video essay is uniquely situated to put cultural critique back into the hands of the average consumer—but only if that consumer is willing to put in the work to become a creator themselves.

Watch time : 17:36

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Tips on Writing a Solid YouTube Script by a YouTube Scriptwriter

YouTube coaches yammer on about engaging hooks, avoiding fluff like the plague, and steering clear of the dreaded “welcome to the channel”.

But not all channel managers know what makes a good script (and that’s okay! Many are new at this whole YouTube thing).

As a YouTube scriptwriter, I’ve worked both with 0 subs channels, and also with big channels with more than a million subs. And guess what?

The writing advice for a good script is the same for all, no matter your numbers. From what I’ve learned so far, this is what makes a solid YouTube script:

Your channel’s niche will determine what’s the best type of hook for your video script. If you’re writing a script for an animal compilations type of channel, (think The Fnatic), oxymoronic statements as an opening line work best to hook viewers.

For example, if the script title was “ 8 Times Hippos Were Defeated ”, then an engaging hook could focus on a traditionally small animal that audiences wouldn’t expect to take down a hippo.

“Wait until you see how this jumbo hyena took down a hippo in its territory!”

For a second, audiences might imagine a giant-sized hyena taking down the hippo, but in truth, you’ll probably show a single hyena larger than its peers.

This creates a brief moment of curiosity that you can capitalize on with further statements and action-packed video clips. For these channels, showing the bigger animals (lions, rhinos, hippos, etc) first tends to work best.

If you’re working with a documentary type of channel, then it’s time to bring out your inner novelist and immerse the audience into the setting through emotional descriptors from the get-go. Let’s use a fictional true crime channel for this example.

In this case, the script is titled “ The Shocking Details of the 1967 London Murders ”. An opening line could be:

“It’s April 1967, and the London serial killer has cornered his next victim. It’s Bernice Smith, a single mother of two.”

From there, you can either capitalize on what the serial killer did next or foreshadow Bernice’s escape.

Instructions for the voice actor

As the scriptwriter, you understand the video’s narrative better than your other YouTube channel co-workers. While an experienced voice actor can discern which tone to use in each part of the recording, it highly speeds up the process if you can point this out in the document yourself.

Normally, I do this by simply adding a parenthesis with the corresponding tone of voice to be used by the VO.

Example : “ Mandi’s last moments were spent locked up at home, completely isolated from her family ”. ( Sad, exhausted tone for VO ).

Pro-Tip : Highlight these instructions in yellow to ensure your voice actor doesn’t accidentally read the instructions as part of the script while recording.

Visuals & clips

A skilled YouTube scriptwriter possesses a developed sense of what clips or animations to add to a script. Many scriptwriters don’t offer clip research as part of their services, but I think it’s a crucial skill to have if you want to thrive in this niche.

I usually study high-ranked competitors to better understand what type of clips work best for each niche and each individual video.

Newer, high-resolution (2K to 4K minimum) clips always work best for my scripts, but don’t be afraid to find a really exciting clip that’s a few years old if you feel like it fits within the narrative of the script.

Pro-tip : Use the Creative Commons (CC) filter while searching for clips to prevent copyright issues down the road. Your video editor will thank you for that!

The bottom line As you can see, these three steps target the three primary parts of the YouTube video production respectively: the scriptwriter crafts an engaging script, with instructions for the voice actor, and recommended visuals for the editor.

The scriptwriter builds the foundation of the video, after all, so it better have solid elements to ensure the production process goes smoothly down the road.

If you have any other tips or recommendations that have also worked for you during the scriptwriting process, do share them with me too.

Thanks for your time!

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Songwriter carol connors talks elvis, writing 'rocky' theme in new doc, songwriter carol connors dishes on elvis coupling ... writing iconic 'rocky' theme.

Carol Connors -- the legendary songwriter -- is telling all about her fame ... breaking it down in a new book and accompanying documentary.

Connors -- who's rubbed elbows with some of Hollywood's brightest stars -- recently released her new book "Elvis, 'Rocky' & Me" just recently ... and, TMZ can reveal she's also got a documentary coming out about her under the same title.

CC -- who skyrocketed to fame with her hit track "To Know Him Is To Love Him" written by infamous music producer Phil Spector -- will double down on the revelations in her book and tell her full story on-camera.

Connors will touch on shacking up with Elvis Presley for more than a year after he wanted to meet her following the success of 'To Know Him' ... and, she'll also touch on how she wrote "You Loved My Night Away" on the very night he died.

Carol's got Spector stories too ... including one tense interaction where she claims Phil slammed her up against a wall and threatened to kill her if she ruined his song.

But, no profile of Connors would be complete without diving into how she wrote the lyrics for "Gonna Fly Now" -- the 'Rocky' series theme that's living on for generations.

In her career, Carol's secured two Oscar nominations, three Emmy and two Golden Globe nods -- though she never managed to take one home. She's also got stories about Steve McQueen and O.J. Simpson ... whose trial she testified at.

The docufilm "Elvis, Rocky' & Me" is currently in postproduction and will come out later this year -- and, it sounds like there's no limit on the stories Carol will tell.

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