College Essay

  • Senior English Personal Narrative

    Essay Assignment

    GOAL: Respond in 600 words or less (at least 250) to one of the prompts from the Common Application OR a prompt directly from one of the schools you're applying to OR one of the options discussed in class (27 Offbeat College Essay Prompts from mental_floss, military, cover letter or scholarship).

    • Write in a lively voice as appropriate for the prompt.

    • Be yourself in your essay.

    • Reflect, Reflect, Reflect on your situation. Make meaning from what you've written – the bigger picture from your story. Do not focus on every detail of your story...big picture: when the light bulb in your head went off; the moment you knew...


    Header: Last name (insert page number)

    Heading: MLA Heading (you know this)


    DeLuca 1


    Lynn DeLuca


    Mrs. Gregory                                                           NOTICE THAT I HAVE CONSISTENTLY DOUBLE SPACED :)


    English 12


    19 September 2017


    Prompt goes here


        1st paragraph indented a tab (5 spaces) ladjd  dfjkaljf  kijdfoie  lljkljd  ldjl;asdf ladjkl dfd ladjfldjsf adlfj ljdflkdjf adljf


    aldjfklds ldsfjkdfjadsf kdsjfakdls.



    Prompt: Instead of a title, type the question prompt you're answering. Your essay will follow the prompt.

    Cover letter/scholarship: I will give you the format.


    Spacing: Double space your essay.

    Font: Times New Roman or Arial; 12 point


    Word Count: Put the phrase “Word Count:” and your word total at the end of the essay.

    **Highlight ONLY the essay, and count only those words. DO NOT count your heading or your prompt.



    ADVICE ~ Whichever prompt you chose, make sure you are looking inward. What do you value? What has made you grow as a person? What makes you a unique individual?  The best essays spend significant time with self-analysis (reflection), and they don't spend a disproportionate amount of time merely describing a place or event. Analysis, not description, will reveal the critical thinking skills that are the hallmark of a promising college student.



    Common Application:

    • commonapp.org

    • Break down of the common app prompts and how to tackle each one: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/portfolio-items/2016-17-common-application-essay-prompts-a-guide/


    27 Offbeat College Essay Topics: http://mentalfloss.com/article/58771/27-offbeat-college-essay-topics


    31 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples: read the page!


    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th: Must select Common App prompt OR bring in alternative essay prompt. (5 process points)


    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st: Must upload completed Draft One to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM (25 process points)


    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th: Must complete peer review and bring back in the feedback by your class period (15 process points)


    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th: Must upload FINAL COLLEGE ESSAY to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM (50 product points)