Enough Is EnoughLetting Go of the Imperfect Essay

Susan Knoppow, CEO

W R I T I N G W O R K S H O P

wowwritingworkshop.com

Three Phases of a College EssayWhat most people are used to:

• Students are accustomed to structure.

• They need to step back and start with content.

• Review essays with a clear sense of which phase you are in.

Wow recommends:

• #1 Content: What am I trying to convey?

• #2 Structure: What does the package look like?

• #3 Polish: How can I perfect it?

• We do not share sample essays.

Content

Polish

Structure

S

Setting ExpectationsEveryone who has a stake in the final essay has expectations

• You

• Student

• Parent

Check in and align expectations frequently

• When generating ideas

• While reviewing

• When essay is complete

Editing

Reviewing

How to Review#1: Just read

• Step away from the computer.

• Put away your pen.

• Sit somewhere comfortable, and read the essay.

• Read it again.

• Look at prior drafts. How has the essay evolved?

#2: Make some notes• What are you looking for in this review?

• What works? What doesn’t work?

• How should the student approach changes?

• Give simple instructions.

• Consider the message you are sending.

Challenges

•Missed opportunities

•Procrastination

•Grammar, spelling

•ESL

•Repetition

•Parents

•English teachers

Missed Opportunities

Do you catch yourself saying these things?

• He could have…

• She should have…

• I saw such potential…

Tips:

• Stop: Whose essay is this?

• Reflect: Take your ego out of the equation.

• Remember: The student makes choices. You might not agree with all of them.

ProcrastinationEvaluate the situation

• Is the weakness due to laziness?

• Is the student too busy?

• Is there an underlying issue?

Tips:

• Address this early in the process as much as possible

• Set your expectations accordingly

• Follow up with consequences early

Grammar, Spelling, etc.Overall:

• Mark one or two examples of frequent problems.

• Ask student to mark others.

• Invite student to fix one issue at a time.

• Never compromise student’s voice.

Common Issues:

• Spelling: Mark misspelled words

• Run-ons: Mark one, and give a few options

• Diction: If it’s consistent, leave it alone. If they are trying otohard, suggest toning it down.

• Adverbs: Suggest taking them out.

ESL• What if English is not the native language?

• Admissions officers know that.

• This is not the time to change the student’s voice.

Repetition• Highlight duplications (ideally, have student do this.)

• Student chooses what to keep.

• If student can’t/won’t change it, then leave it alone.

• Message to student: I trust your choices.

Word Count• Student should try first.

• Message to student: I trust your choices. If I think you cut something important, I’ll let you know.

Parents• Discuss expectations.

• Encourage students to share essays with parents when they are ready to respectfully declineanything that is not helpful and graciously accept that which is helpful.

• Provide guidelines:

o An essay is… An essay is not…

o Here is how this essay fits in with the full application package.

English Teachers• Help students and parents understand teachers’

perspective.

• Remind them that you understand the audience.

• The teacher is not the audience. He/she already knows a lot about the student.

• Respect the student’s relationship with the teacher.

Who Owns the Essay?

Guidelines for ReviewersHow long should it take?

• Never spend more than an hour.

• Rarely spend more than 30 minutes.

• If you do more with content development up front, you will spend less time reviewing during the polish phase.

How to improve:

• Keep track of your time.

• Pay attention to common mistakes/issues.

• Where do you get stuck?

Resources• Common Challenges

• Guidelines – Reading Drafts

• For Parents: How to Help without Taking Over

• Article: Is an “A” English Paper a College Essay?

wowwritingworkshop.com/guidedpath

W R I T I N G W O R K S H O P

wowwritingworkshop.com