🏫 College Advising

A student is struggling to revise a sentence in their essay that states, 'I am a highly motivated individual.' Which piece of advice best exemplifies the 'show, don't tell' principle?

A Replace 'highly motivated' with a synonym like 'driven' or 'ambitious'.
B Add an adverb to strengthen the statement, such as 'I am extremely highly motivated'.
C Describe a specific instance where their motivation led to a tangible outcome or overcome a challenge.
D Remove the sentence entirely as it is too boastful.

✓ Correct Answer: Option C

The 'show, don't tell' principle means illustrating a trait through an anecdote or example rather than simply stating it. Describing a specific instance allows the reader to infer motivation from the student's actions, making the essay more engaging and credible.

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