College Essay Writing 101

(for procrastinators)

Mr. John EugeneDirector, Janice B. Parker Writing Center

Why an Essay??? :-(

Your writing conveys your voice, or identity as a student

The essay is your chance to provide a close-up of yourself that the rest of your application can’t offer

You are asking a college to take a risk on you...so they get to make the rules.

How to Get StartedChoose the colleges you are applying to

Find out which ones accept the Common Application

Choose an essay topic for each application

Get started writing!

Choosing a topic

Choose a topic that you connect with

Choose a topic that will be accepted by as many colleges as possible -- no need to do more work than necessary!

Make the topic your own by relating it to a personal experience

What About Writer’s Block?

Start with a blank sheet of paper and just start writing about yourself

Show the sheet to a couple of people and get their reactions

Select your topic and supporting details based on those reactions

Drafting

Take a storytelling approach

Begin with a moment, not an idea

Use vivid details throughout your essay

Avoid clichés

Focus on information that makes you unique

Organizing your essayTry to tell your story using an into-through-beyond structure

Bring your audience INTO your story by narrating a specific moment

Take your audience THROUGH your experience by continuing to tell your story

Take your audience BEYOND your experience by discussing you it will continue to shape you as a person

Final Tips

When in doubt, KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Don’t hesitate to get help

Be confident and focus on the things that make you a great candidate for college acceptance

Stay on task

Thank You!Please complete a brief survey before you leave!

Go to www.bpi.edu, then

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