Tuesday, 26 November, 2012

To create the prompt for class today writers began by listing things that change, and how they are different before and after. Then writers used these examples of change as a writing prompt.

We then reviewed the criteria for a well written essay.
Clear purpose
Well organized (including thesis and related topic sentences)
Specific, vivid word choice
concrete imagery
figurative language
carefully chosen and developed ideas
well edited
strong lede or hook
good balance of scene and summary


Homework was checked.

Then writers were asked to see which items in their list of experiences could be entered under more than one heading. Writers identified those experiences that involved the most categories. 

Next the class looked at the questions asked for the OSAC Scholarships and the Common Application:

OSAC

Requires writing on each of the following four topics, each essay to be no more than 150 words.

1.    Explain your career aspirations an your educational plan to meet these goals.

2.    Describe a challenge or obstacle you faced in the last ten years. What did you learn about yourself from this experience.

3.    Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.

4.    Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Provide specific examples.

Common App

The length for the common app essays is 250-500 words.

1.    Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

2.    Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

3.    Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

4.    Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

5.    A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

6.    Topic of your choice.

The next step in class was for writers to identify an experience that seemed to match with one of the questions, and to write about that experience.

The last thing we did in class was to consider what the audience for the essays might be looking for. Ideas included:

Who are you?

Why do you deserve it?

Are you a learner?

Will you take advantage of the opportunity? Do you have aspirations?

What do you bring?

How are you unique?

Sincerity / honesty

Can you overcome adversity

are you committed / dedicated?

are you likable?

Are you passionate or interested in something?

independence

Do you provide service to others? Are you pro-social?

HOMEWORK: Bring a rough draft of an essay to class on Thursday.