1. Brainstorming your college essay topic: Look through your college prompt journals, and... 1.What is your college essay prompt? Paraphrase it if it is too long.

2. 2. Of the four essays, which style/structure will best suit your topic? Essays 1, 2, and 3 show the reader how the students' passions shaped them into unique individuals through narratives about the past and the present. Essay 4 shows readers how the student possesses specific qualities by comparing herself to her passion.

3. 3. What do your journal responses have in common? Write down any recurring words/ideas. What do they all say about who you are?

4. 4. Based on the previous question, what is your thesis? In other words what will you be proving about yourself?

5. 5. Identify objects, places, or ideas that could represent who you are. These can be related to your passion, your lifestyle, your family, your goals, and/or your name. For example: If you're a musician, compare yourself to an instrument. If you're a rower, compare yourself to a boat.

6. 6. Pick one of the above objects, places, or ideas you listed. In what ways are you similar to it? Draw at least four similarities between you. Example: Rebecca is like a newspaper because she has sections, a support staff, headlines, and she is balanced and edits herself.

7. 7. Brainstorm a hook that would relate to the above symbolism. Begin with imagery or a relevant quote that defines you/your object, place, or idea, or perhaps one that is the opposite of you Homework : tweak this hook (1-3 sentences long) and email it to Ms. Kosari by midnight. akosari@cps.edu We will read these in class and critique them tomorrow.