Microsoft 365 Copilot MBA App Prompt 7: Use a flashback structure in your MBA admissions essays to flaunt your expertise

This is for my personal account and not a content piece for Microsoft .

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s true charm comes to life when templates and questions tango together.

Prompt 7 Format

Part 1:?

What are the [insert number] [insert qualifying descriptor] ways to structure [insert type of] essays?

Part 2:?

I am (a/an) [insert role] writing [description of type of writing piece] about why I am [insert career interest]. Can you please create (a/an) [insert Prompt 7 Part 1 answer] to help me write my [insert type of] essay??

Prompt 7 Example

Part 1:

My Question: What are 10 research-backed ways to structure narrative essays?

Microsoft 365 Copilot Response: Here are 10 research-backed ways to structure narrative essays, each supported by academic writing principles and effective storytelling techniques:

• Chronological Structure
• Flashback Structure
• Circular Structure
• Parallel Structure
• Framing Structure
• Thematic Structure
• Cause and Effect Structure
• Conflict and Resolution Structure
• Descriptive Structure
• Reflective Structure

Examples of Famous Personal Essays

• Chronological Structure: “Once More to the Lake” by E.B. White.

• Flashback Structure: “The Fourth State of Matter” by Jo Ann Beard.

• Circular Structure: “Goodbye to All That” by Joan Didion.

• Parallel Structure: “The Love of My Life” by Cheryl Strayed.

• Framing Structure: “The White Album” by Joan Didion.

• Thematic Structure: “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston.

• Cause and Effect Structure: “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell.

• Conflict and Resolution Structure: “Notes of a Native Son” by James Baldwin.

• Descriptive Structure: “The Death of the Moth” by Virginia Woolf.

• Reflective Structure: “The Sanctuary of School” by Lynda Barry.

These structures can help you create a compelling and well-organized narrative essay. If you need more detailed guidance on any specific structure, feel free to ask!

Part 2:

My Question: I am a business school student writing an essay about why I am passionate about journalism. (An aside: You can use any career here. I am using journalism because I used to be a journalist.) Can you please create a flashback structure template to help me write my personal essay?

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Absolutely! A flashback structure can be a powerful way to convey your passion for journalism by connecting past experiences to your current aspirations. Here’s a template to help you structure your essay:

Flashback Structure Template for a Personal Essay on Passion for Journalism

Introduction

• Hook: Start with a compelling moment or scene from your present life that highlights your passion for journalism. (Example: “As I stood in the bustling newsroom, the hum of activity around me, I felt a familiar thrill. This was where I belonged.”)?
• Present Context: Briefly explain your current situation and your passion for journalism. (Example: “Today, as a business school student, I find myself constantly drawn to the stories that shape our world.”)

Flashback to the Past

• Transition to Flashback: Use a transition sentence to move from the present to a significant past event. (Example: “This passion was ignited years ago, during a seemingly ordinary day in high school.”)
• Describe the Past Event: Narrate the past event that sparked your interest in journalism. (Example: “I remember the first time I picked up a pen to write an article for the school newspaper. It was an investigative piece on the lack of funding for our arts programs. The process of uncovering the truth and giving a voice to the voiceless was exhilarating.”)?
• Emotional Impact: Reflect on how this event made you feel and why it was significant. (Example: “The sense of purpose and responsibility I felt was unlike anything I had experienced before. I knew then that journalism was my calling.”)

Return to the Present

• Transition Back to Present: Use a transition sentence to bring the narrative back to the present. (Example: “That high school article was just the beginning. Over the years, my passion for journalism has only grown stronger.”)
• Current Involvement: Describe your current involvement in journalism-related activities. (Example: “In college, I joined the campus newspaper, where I covered everything from local politics to student protests. Now, as a business school student, I continue to write and seek out stories that matter.”)

Future Aspirations

• Link Past to Future: Connect your past experiences and current passion to your future goals. (Example: “Looking ahead, I see journalism as a powerful tool to drive change and inform the public. My goal is to combine my business acumen with my journalistic skills to uncover and report on the economic issues that impact our society.”)

Conclusion

• Reiterate Passion: Reinforce your passion for journalism and its importance in your life. (Example: “Journalism is not just a profession for me; it is a lifelong commitment to truth and transparency.”)
• Closing Thought: End with a strong, memorable statement that leaves a lasting impression. (Example: “In a world where information is power, I am determined to be a voice that champions integrity and justice.”)?

Example Outline Using the Template

Introduction

• Hook: Standing in the newsroom, feeling the thrill.
• Present Context: Business school student passionate about journalism.

Flashback to the Past

• Transition to Flashback: Recalling high school days.
• Describe the Past Event: Writing the first investigative article.
• Emotional Impact: Realizing the calling for journalism.

Return to the Present

• Transition Back to Present: From high school to now.
• Current Involvement: College newspaper and current writing activities.

Future Aspirations

• Link Past to Future: Combining business and journalism.
• Future Goals: Reporting on economic issues.

Conclusion

• Reiterate Passion: Journalism as a lifelong commitment.
• Closing Thought: Determination to champion integrity and justice.

I hope this template helps you craft a compelling essay that showcases your passion for journalism. If you need further assistance or specific examples, feel free to ask!