College Essay Writing Workshop power point

College Essay Writing Workshop Shari Kellogg Counselor/ former English teacher Our agenda for today…  General information about college essays  Looking at sample prompts  The writing process  Looking at essay samples  Where to go for more help after today  Workshop time Let’s write! What is the purpose of the essay or personal statement?  To assess level of written expression  Personal qualities and values: the “roommate factor”  Provides a voice through subjective information- makes the application come alive  Shows how you think  Finding a good fit Who reads these essays? How important is it to my application?  One or more admissions officers, dean, or department chair  Part of a whole  Can help, can hurt  Not the only thing they consider What I write about? READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PROMPT!  Action  Deeper  Choice  Beliefs  Behavior  Insights  Motivations  Young, and themes behind activities values budding life philosophy One size does not fit all!  DO NOT recycle essays!  Read and understand the prompts for each school  Figure out what they want to learn from you  Read any tips on the school’s website  Do not reuse one essay or personal statement Each school is different! Do…        Focus on YOU! Focus on a part of yourself that is not captured in the rest of your application Highlight initiative, motivation, leadership, potential, and curiosity Consider an experience with other cultures, if applicable Be creative, but don’t go overboard Show! (don’t tell) Pay attention to word and character counts! Don’t…  Rewrite a list of activities  Write about things already covered in your application  Attempt humor without care  Tell a story that says nothing about you (the “big game”)  Include TMI  Tell! (instead, show) Advice from Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois START NOW DRAFTING Advice Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois  Be memorable: give us insight as to who you are Make us remember you!  Be prepared: brainstorm, outline, draft, edit multiple times THE WRITING PROCESS  Be yourself Be honest Be specific Be personal with the voice of your writing Advice from Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois  Be direct Choose your words wisely No room for fluff  Be focused Don’t repeat from other parts of the app Explain why you will be successful  Be professional Sloppy errors are a HUGE red flag Edit Edit Edit More advice like this… From OWL- The Purdue Online Writing Lab http://owl.english.purdue.edu Notice that the advice varies, depending on the institution, so…ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL! From the starting gate to the finish line: the writing process  Brainstorm: generative writing Keep the pen moving! (list, prose, etc.)  Outline: pick through the generative writing  Draft, draft, draft  Read the essay out loud!  Edit- self and others  When you give your essay for someone else to critique, give them the prompt! I have nothing to write about!       Yes, you do! Some of the best essays are on seemingly mundane topics Don’t compare your life to others Focus on the prompts! Ask family and friends: what might others not know about me? What sets me apart? Think about accomplishments, obstacles overcome, stories and snapshots, life outside of DHS, etc Important stylistic tips…  Be concise  Be direct  Start strong  Vary sentence structure  Use varied transitions- make it flow!  Use precise language  Maintain a desirable tone: be friendly, confident, enthusiastic, and respectful Only 300 words??? How to fleece an essay…     Look for whole, unnecessary sections you can eliminate (i.e background info) Go sentence by sentence to shave down the # of words you use In August of 2013, when I entered the front doors of Deerfield High School as a freshman, I was young, naïve, and lost (23 words) When I began my freshman year, I was young, naïve, and lost (12 words) Let’s look at some sample prompts…  Common  Application UIC, Miami-Ohio, Michigan, Ohio State, DePaul, Northwestern, and many more  University of Illinois  Indiana University  Illinois State University  University of Wisconsin system Now let’s look at some samples… What we learn about the applicant? What stylistic things you notice? After reading, what stands out the most? Now, let’s get down to it!  Where are you in the process?  Pick a prompt and brainstorm  Look at a draft considering what we talked about today  Peer edit?  Ask me any questions you have! Where I go for more help?  The ARC!  Your English teacher, if they offer assistance Always ask in advance!  Research online for more tips and requirements for specific schools  Purdue OWL ... about college essays  Looking at sample prompts  The writing process  Looking at essay samples  Where to go for more help after today  Workshop time Let’s write! What is the purpose of the essay. .. writing Keep the pen moving! (list, prose, etc.)  Outline: pick through the generative writing  Draft, draft, draft  Read the essay out loud!  Edit- self and others  When you give your essay. .. brainstorm, outline, draft, edit multiple times THE WRITING PROCESS  Be yourself Be honest Be specific Be personal with the voice of your writing Advice from Undergraduate Admissions at the