How to Write an Essay About Yourself in Spanish
Composing an essay describing yourself in a native language is fairly straightforward, but writing in a foreign language is challenging. Depending on your level of Spanish---beginner, intermediate, advanced or almost fluent---the paper will be harder or easier due to your knowledge of vocabulary, tenses and expressions. In general, keep the essay simple but interesting to read, noting details about your personality and your lifestyle within stories and information you share.
Begin with basic information. Write your name, age, birthday and where you live in complete sentences. Yo me llamo Alicia. Tengo diez y ocho (18) anos. Mi fecha de nacimiento es el 16 de Julio. Yo vivo en Minneapolis con mi hermano, Pierre. Translate any words you do not know how to write them into your essay. You may also add where you go to school or your favorite subject in school.
Discuss your hobbies. Skip to a new paragraph to talk about the sports, arts, music and/or subjects you like in and out of school. For example, if you play a sport, talk about how much time you dedicate to it. "Juego futbol cada dia con mis amigos despues de escuela. Quiero jugar futbol professional cuando soy más viejo. (I play soccer every day with my friends after school. I want to play professional soccer when I am older.)"
Consult a dictionary or online dictionary for phrases and expressions. The Spanish language is full of idiomatic expressions, such we do in English; for instance, we have expressions like "It's raining cats and dogs." Include at least one or two Spanish phrases, such as: "El hijo de la gato, ratones mata (The son of a cat kills mice)." The English equivalent is "Like father like son." Mix the expression in the essay naturally, instead of planting one awkwardly in the middle or very end of your paper.
Tell a short narrative. Describe to readers, at your level of Spanish, a small event that occurred to you recently. Perhaps you got lost in a park looking for your little brother, you saw a hurricane for the first time on vacation or you and your boyfriend took a trip to the beach to relax. While the vocabulary may be new to you, also check the tenses. Use the past, present and future to describe the event or story. For example, if you went to the beach with your boyfriend in April, write: "Mi novio y yo fuimos al playa en Abril. Cada dia fue como cielo, porque las olas y el viento y areana nos calmo a. (My boyfriend and I went to the beach in April. Every day was like heaven, because the waves and the wind and sand calmed us.)"
Conclude your essay using future tense verbs. Write the goals you have for the near future. For example, you might want to study for an upcoming social studies test or apply for a job at a local graphic design business that is looking for new artists. Write what you will do, or want to do, using the future tense. "For example (por ejemplo): El Martes iré al entrevista de diseño gráfico (I'll go to graphic design interview on Tuesday)." You can also describe your feelings, like nervousness, excitement or dread (nerviosismo, excitación o terror).
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