Basketball Essay
Tayi Kevin
Self-Presentation
General purpose: how basketball taught me hard work and discipline
Specific purpose: hard work can help achieve anything
Thesis statement through basketball I learned how to work hard and discipline myself to achieve my goals in life
My passion for the basketball started when I was in my second year of high
school, basketball not only helped me grow but also taught me a lot of things that I use in my
everyday life.
My passion for the game began during my last year of middle school, but
despite trying out for the middle school team I was not chosen to be a part of it. Although this
was of great disappointment to me, it did not deter me from my love of the game. It made me
more driven and determined to work hard during the summer prior to entering high school to
ensure that I was in a position to try-out for the high school freshman team. I practiced morning,
noon and night in 90 degree heat, perfecting my shot and working out to improve my skills. This
hard work paid off, when I was chosen to be a part of the freshman team and I have continued to
work hard during my high school years to be an asset to the varsity team.
I feel sure that this experience of being a part of the high school basketball team has
helped me become successful in my academic life. Being part of a team has instilled in me the
responsibilities and work ethic that carries over into other aspects of my life and I feel sure that
this will be extremely valuable in my future endeavors at the University. And really more
precisely on hard work, there is a saying that “hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work
hard.” I believe this because to me it means that no matter how good you are if you don’t
Self-Presentation
General purpose: how basketball taught me hard work and discipline
Specific purpose: hard work can help achieve anything
Thesis statement through basketball I learned how to work hard and discipline myself to achieve my goals in life
My passion for the basketball started when I was in my second year of high
school, basketball not only helped me grow but also taught me a lot of things that I use in my
everyday life.
My passion for the game began during my last year of middle school, but
despite trying out for the middle school team I was not chosen to be a part of it. Although this
was of great disappointment to me, it did not deter me from my love of the game. It made me
more driven and determined to work hard during the summer prior to entering high school to
ensure that I was in a position to try-out for the high school freshman team. I practiced morning,
noon and night in 90 degree heat, perfecting my shot and working out to improve my skills. This
hard work paid off, when I was chosen to be a part of the freshman team and I have continued to
work hard during my high school years to be an asset to the varsity team.
I feel sure that this experience of being a part of the high school basketball team has
helped me become successful in my academic life. Being part of a team has instilled in me the
responsibilities and work ethic that carries over into other aspects of my life and I feel sure that
this will be extremely valuable in my future endeavors at the University. And really more
precisely on hard work, there is a saying that “hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work
hard.” I believe this because to me it means that no matter how good you are if you don’t