1. QuickWrite
Consider what you wrote about yourself in your “I Am” poem, what you wrote on your index card, and what you wrote about to respond to the question, “What is life worth?”

2. Step 1: Focus on what you want to be later in your life.
Think about your future
What are your dreams and aspirations?
What is your purpose in life?
What are your goals for the type of life you’ll live?
Do you want to be an example to your siblings or community?
Focus on what you want to be later in your life.
Complete this sentence: “I want to be _____________ when I grow up."

3. Step 2: Tell a Story
Tell what you want to be or do in your life and why. You may want to describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community, or school – and tell how your world influenced you to want the future you desire. What helped to shape your dreams and aspirations?
Write non-stop for 20 minutes; force yourself to keep telling the story about what you want to be and why.

4. Step 3: What makes you proud?
Tell a second story. This one is about who you are now.
Pick ONE personal experience or accomplishment that is important to you in your life.
This time I want you to write non-stop for 15 minutes; just tell the story of that one thing that makes you proud of the person you are right now.

5. You’ve finished the hard part
Believe it or not…
That's it! You've got a rough draft for your personal statement/college application essay, scholarship essay, or a letter to give to a potential employer.
Later we’ll refine it further, but you’ve done the hard part.