Assignment 1: Commissioned Essay

 The best photo I've ever taken. I call it "Senior Year"

The reason I've asked you to come up with a list of "30 Things About Me" is because we are going to use it as a source of inspiration for your first reflective essay.  As a group, we are going to go over these lists and suggest possible directions for each of you.  This might sound odd, but basically you are going to be commissioned to write an essay for the rest of the class  -  or more simply forced to write what other people want.   

The reason: sometimes it's easier to be told what to write instead of being left to your own devices.  Things to focus on:

• Writing for an audience.  
• Connecting the unconscious dots.
• What I find interesting about "me" might not be what people are most interested in.

Consider this as a shopping list of ingredients that compose your life.  The class will pick out a few of the ingredients which you will have to add to your own anecdotal cookie dough.  Hopefully, you end up with a surprising batch of delicious cookies, even if you don't like raisins.  I hope that makes sense. 

I hope to get you writing as many essays as possible, and you might even find that you discover your winning essay accidentally.  I don't think you can really write "too many" college essays, and as you write you will often find that a certain shoe suddenly fits.  Between now and next fall, you need to produce something you are confident and happy with, and something that won't put admissions officers to sleep.  Keep in mind that these people read (i.e. skim) thousands of essays, and if we can't hook them with something honest, unique, and non-nonsensical by the end of the first few sentences.... your essay might end up in an uncertain pile.

The act of writing a college essay can often be a solitary endeavor where putting pen to paper is stressful.  What do I write?  And then, who do I show it to?  In my experience, sometimes my best writing came when I was told what to write, and when I knew it would be shared with more than just one person.  So, for this semester, try and treat this class a "writer's workshop."  Your participation, feedback, and essays will graded in line with these steps:

• Step 1: Your list.  This list should be interesting, listing 30 different and unique anecdotes/facts/beliefs etc. that define you as a person.  These have to be numbered, so we can make suggestions as to which numbers might add up to create a good thematic essay.  Hopefully they are more than a short statement.
• Step 2: Discussion. During in-class discussion, please assist your peers and contribute ideas on how to structure and spin a good narrative.
• Step 3: Outline.  Based on the feedback in class, you come up with a structure and some ideas in a brainstorm.
• Step 4: Execution.  You post your essays, and each class we schedule three to be work-shopped.  Everyone has to offer 3 things they liked and three things that "aren't working."  The idea is to offer "constructive feedback" and not "criticism."
• Step 5: produce a final draft that has been polished after a rigorous critique.

My goal is to help you produce not just a good essay, but maybe a writing sample that you feel is your BEST.  As well, as a teacher, I'd like to get to know you all better.  Remember this rule:

• The goal of a college essay is to get the admissions officer thinking: "I'd like to meet this person. This person is ready for college."