College Essay Writing Workshop Shari Kellogg Counselor/ former English teacher... Our agenda for today… General information about college essays Looking at sample prompts The writin
Trang 1College
Essay Writing Workshop
Shari Kellogg
Counselor/ former English teacher
Trang 2Our 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!
Trang 3What 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
Trang 4Who 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
Trang 5 Action
Choice
Behavior
Motivations and
themes behind
activities
Deeper values
Beliefs
Insights
Young, budding life philosophy
What do I write about?
READ AND UNDERSTAND THE
PROMPT!
Trang 6One 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!
Trang 7 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!
Trang 8 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)
Trang 9Advice from Undergraduate Admissions
at the University of Illinois
NOW
Trang 10Advice 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.
Trang 11Advice 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.
Trang 12More 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!
Trang 13From 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!
Trang 14I 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.
Trang 15Important 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
Trang 16Only 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, nạve, and lost (23 words)
When I began my freshman year, I was
young, nạve, and lost (12 words)
Trang 17Let’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
Trang 18Now let’s look at some
samples…
What do we learn about the applicant?
What stylistic things do you
notice?
After reading, what stands out the most?
Trang 19Now, 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!
Trang 20Where do 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