1. STARTING AND REVISING THE COLLEGE ESSAY

2. Purpose of the Essay Showcase your writing ability Tell your story
Introduce the reader to your character or personality
Convey your sense of reflectiveness

3. Choosing a Topic Choose a topic that is important to you
Take risks and think outside the box
Use the prompts (but don’t take them too literally)
A story that is unique to you
A time you experienced failure
A place that you feel perfectly content
A time you challenged a belief or idea
An experience that marked your transition into adulthood

4. Format 250 – 650 words (1.5 pages double spaced)
Introduction (paragraph 1): a little teaser featuring what the essay will be about
Paragraph 2: Go into detail about the main story or subject. Paint a vivid picture.
Paragraph 3: Introduce the conflict.
Conclusion (paragraph 4): Sum up the learning you’ve taken from this experience OR present the ironic or surprise ending and its significance

5. Brainstorming Exercise
List your top five experiences that give you strong feelings (joy, pain, fear, excitement, etc)
OR List three of your most salient experiences or memories from your life up to this very moment
Next to each thing you list, write at least three words/phrases/sentences that come to mind when you think of it.

6. Brainstorm Part II
Choose one of these experiences and write (in bullets or paragraphs) about it. Include:
What happened? Who was there? What did you see, smell, feel, hear or taste? Use action verbs and adverbs to paint a picture
How you felt/what you thought at the time of the experience. Be bold and descriptive. Dig deep.
How you feel or think about the experience now.
Imagine telling this story to a teacher you trust. How do you think they would react? What do you think they would learn about you?
Imagine telling this story to a stranger. How do you think they would react? What would they learn about you?

7. Watch me, Watch me… Announcements Walk through of the fall…
CPCRI: Solanchi Fernandez
College Fair, Sept 17 5:30 – 7pm ($5)
College Day Conference, Sat, Oct 25; 8:00am -12:30pm
Financial Aid presentation in November
Let’s Get Ready! Free SAT Prep; Mon & Wed, Sept 24 – Dec 10; 6pm – 9pm
RIAAO College Fair: Sun, Oct 19; 1:30 – 3:30pm
College Visits and Tours: URI & RIC Wed, Oct 22; 8am – 3pm ($20)
Check the wall!
Dropbox anyone? Weebly?
Sign up for an appointment