Embedded Files
GETTING STARTED:
GETTING STARTED:
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
STEP 3:
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT - HELP!
STILL STUCK? Get some inspiration here
SAMPLES:
SAMPLES:
Not going the traditional college route right now? Check out the Cover Letter & Resume templates & samples, or the "I'm going into the real-world/business options"
COLLEGE ESSAY UNIT: What we will do in class
TIPS & STARTING POINTS:
Sample Introductions & Hooks (what works, what doesn't, what might work)
WRITING A SUPPLEMENT? Check out resources under SECOND DRAFT
ROUGH DRAFT:
ROUGH DRAFT:
ADVICE: just write.
ADVICE: just write.
Just open the door & see what light shines in (cheesy, I know).
Set timer for 15-30 minutes; just write. Get your thoughts down. Don't worry about anything sounding perfect, or pretty, or "good"; just write. Don't worry about structure, or spelling, or word count, or how you come across. Just write. Understand that this draft (the rough draft) is exactly that - it's a way to get very rough, very raw ideas down on paper. At the end of your writing session, you may have just one line that you like, or just one idea that you think you can use. But these "just ones" could be the very seeds for something awesome or interesting or authentic. At the very least, you'll have worked out what you don't want to include or sound like. Whatever the results, this part of the process is essential. So, just write.
TIPS:
TIPS:
Looking for the right word? Leave a _______ and come back to it later.
Want to include a section on something but not sure how? Bracket off the section and keep writing.
Not sure how to spell something and it's stressing you out? Skip it or simply put a ? over it and come back to it later.
Stuck on how to end it? Simply write what you're thinking, even if that's: "At this point I should wrap it up but not sure how; might want to work in my grandma and the dog."
ESSAY STRUCTURES that have worked for others in the past (caveat: this doesn't mean they have to work for you, nor does it mean that there aren't many others structures that could work better)
Great article in The Washington Post that reveals a senior's process from initial to revised draft
Writer's Digest SUGGESTIONS for rough drafts (for all types of writing)
Have faith in the process; these five famous novels had rough drafts that were almost entirely changed; you're not alone.
Some nice quotes by writers on writing
Sample of dynamic college essay (introduction for STUDENT I activity completed in class)
The Stanford essay about Costco hot dogs shared by a former student (and thoughts on it)
FIRST DRAFT:
FIRST DRAFT:
FIRST, ASK YOURSELF:
FIRST, ASK YOURSELF:
Am I answering their question?
What is my answer? You should be able to pull out one or two lines (probably somewhere in your opening paragraph) that sums up your message.
Do I have a beginning, middle, and end (even if it's not in that order)?
Do I come full circle at the end (i.e., whatever I alluded to in the opening paragraph, I resolve, reference, or build on in the concluding paragraph)? In other words, aim to tie up loose ends.
What do I like/love?
What am I uncertain about?
THEN, LET IT SIMMER.
THEN, LET IT SIMMER.
Sit with the draft for a day or two. Letting the ideas simmer, process, and settle is an important part of the writing process. Don't expect perfection in one fell swoop.
If you still aren't sure where to go from here, ask 1 person that knows you well and 1 person that barely knows you to read the rough draft and suggest revisions for the first draft.
THEN, START WITH THE BIG-TICKET ITEMS.
THEN, START WITH THE BIG-TICKET ITEMS.
Focus on tweaking or revising the big-ticket items (like your answer to their prompt, structure, etc.), not the details (wording of a line, spelling, etc.). This makes sense: if your car needs repairs, it would be wise to fix the motor and change the tires, before changing the air freshener.
REVISING YOUR DRAFT:
REVISING YOUR DRAFT:
Grammar Red Flags: what to avoid and how to avoid it
Some more quotes by writers on the writing process
SECOND DRAFT:
SECOND DRAFT:
WE WON'T HAVE A FORMAL SECOND DRAFT CHECK-IN, BUT MOST ESSAYS HAVE SEVERAL DRAFTS AND ITERATIONS
(see the Declaration of Independence draft)
UNC Writing Center has some excellent step-wise advice
OWL Purdue's straightforward advice
Harvard's advice
Even more quotes by writers on the writing process
HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS:
HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS:
SUPPLEMENTS: help and examples
Supplemental Writing Help: tips for what to try and what to avoid in the "Why (this college)?" supplements
FINAL DRAFT:
FINAL DRAFT:
Some advice on finalizing drafts
Some advice on finalizing drafts
Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
Do I actually mean this?
Do I actually believe this?
Final proofreading checklist
Final proofreading checklist
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