Senior EnglishSeptember 23, 2015

Important Notes:

◦Photo Essay due @ start of class tomorrow!!!◦Statement of Authenticity = ticket to turn in work

◦You will have a TW in class tomorrow!◦ It will be a personal statement/essay TW◦Bring a prompt from a scholarship or application you’re interested in!◦ If you don’t have a prompt to bring in, that’s ok! I’ll have one for you to

use!

Personal Statements and Essays

◦What is the difference?◦Look at the prompt - close read!◦Generally, personal statements are more open-ended and include reference to why you chose this particular school◦While essays have a more focused topic and rely on narratives about your experiences

Personal Statements

• Clearly understand the prompt(!)• Be honest in discussing your aspirations,

intentions, and interests

Berkeley: “Describe the world you come from - for example your family, community, or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations”

Essays• Clearly understand the prompt (!)• Try to avoid “cliche” essay topics - sports,

mission trips, summer camp• But be genuine about an experience, value, or

activity that has been important to you• What could you write about?

Resources• http://www.hemingwayapp.com/• College application websites often have pages about

what they’re looking for• Have conversations with friends, family, teachers and

take notes!• Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing

strategies

Personal Essays and Statements

Personal Statements:◦A picture. Provide a snapshot of who you are as a person.◦An invitation. Your job is to “bridge the assumed distance of strangers.” Invite your reader to get to know you.◦An indication of your priorities and judgment. Your selection of material reveals your priorities and ability to discern effectively.◦A story, or more precisely, your story. The personal statement allows you room for creative, meaningful self-reflection.

The Common App

Move and Write

◦Take one marker per person- this is yours, don’t lose it!

◦In four corners of the room, and at the front, there are writing prompts.

◦ In your area, take two minutes to brainstorm answers to your prompts with your group. Write significant words/phrases on the paper.

◦Take three minutes to free write to the prompt anywhere on the poster

◦Take three minutes to share your pieces of writing with your groups.

**Rotate, and repeat!!