1. Common Application Essay
TAKING RISKS
Common Application Essay

2. 8/26
Anecdote: a short story about an interesting or funny event or occurrence.
Synonyms: story, tale, narrative, or incident
This essay is a personal narrative called “Taking Risks.”

3. What is the big deal?
Why is the essay such an important part of the application?
How can it help you?
How can it hurt you?

4. Option 1
Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

5. Option 2
 The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

6. Option 3
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

7. Common Application 500+ schools www.commonapp.org
Check to see if your schools are on the list.

8. Your Schools Compare the school’s essay to the three options. PITT
In 7,000 characters or less, describe a situation where things were working against you. What did you handle well and what would you change if you had to do it over?

9. Your Schools Compare the school’s essay to the three options.
PENN STATE
Personal Statement  – Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This statement is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer.

10. Your Schools Compare the school’s essay to the three options. CAL U
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

11. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
1. All three of the essay options ask you to express personal growth.
2. Focus on one risk/challenge to develop an anecdote.
3. Select your story wisely. If you don’t care, no one else will!

12. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
4. Parts of an essay = parts of a story
All writing should have a beginning, middle, and end.
A. Introduction = exposition
Answers who, what, where, when, and why
Provide relevant background information
Age, heritage, health, location, etc.
Explain why this story is so important

13. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
B. Body = rising action, climax, and falling action( details or examples)
Describes a singular moment
Relive the incident through imagery and dialogue
One example each
Three examples of dialogue have been provided on the assignment description.

14. Sample Dialogue
Rule 1: Use double quotation marks to indicate that a person is speaking in your writing.
Example A: When I was young, my mother told me, “Follow your passion and the money will come.”
Example B: “No,” she said, “I don’t have any plans tomorrow.”

15. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
C. Conclusion= resolution
Part reflection and part projection
Include lessons learned, impact of story/change, and how this influences you moving forward.
The essay will move from past (background and context) to present (incident) to future (reflection and projection)

16. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
5. Use first person (I) as if you are actually speaking. Do no use second person (you); do not command the reader.
6. Keep the tense consistent! Present/past will depend on essay itself.
7. Use natural but descriptive language.
Paint a picture of yourself with words.
Show not tell
Avoid Clichés

17. Exercise in Revision 8.Emphasize action verbs and active voice.
The student is hard working.
The student works hard.
Active Voice:
The essay was written by a student.
The student wrote the essay.

18. Tips, Suggestions, and Advice
9. Revise carefully. Lack of effort and ability look the same on paper.
10. Essay is due Monday, September 12
A. MLA format
Times New Roman, 12 point font, double space
Heading: Student, Teacher, Class, Date
B. 450 words/1.5 pages
C. Electronic and paper copy
See Wiki for template and sharing instructions.

19. Where to begin… Prewriting: Drafting Editing/Revising Polishing
Graphic Organizers
Outline
Free writing
Drafting
Editing/Revising
Polishing
Completing 
Risk
Result
Action
Reaction
Reflection

20. Options Begin essay…. Check for your schools on the website
Compare the essays to the prompts of your potential schools.