The Personal Narrative College Entrance/Personal Statement Essay.
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Transcript of The Personal Narrative College Entrance/Personal Statement Essay.
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The Personal The Personal NarrativeNarrative
College Entrance/Personal College Entrance/Personal Statement EssayStatement Essay
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Conquering the College Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Admissions Essay in 10
Steps: Crafting a Winning Steps: Crafting a Winning Personal StatementPersonal Statement
By Alan GeibBy Alan Geib20082008
adapted fromadapted from
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Step One: Understanding the Narrative
• The college essay is the modern “interview.”
• The reader forms an opinion of you based on the “meeting” (essay).
• Essay is the most important part of a selective college’s application process
• Only part of application process where you can set yourself apart.
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Narrative : tells a story• 4 problems must
be addressed• The Once• The Ordinary vs.
the Extraordinary• Tension and
Conflict• The Point
• Avoid – predictable, overly sentimental, poorly told, too self-promoting
• Reasons to write – to confess, amuse, connect, preserve alarm, etc.
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• The Once - Specific point in time where the narrative takes place
• Ordinary v.s Extraordinary – How is this moment different from the usual moments?
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• Tension and Conflict – What is the struggle of opposing forces? Is the conflict outer or inner?
• The Point – Why does the reader care? What is to be learned? The point can be obvious or subtle – allowing the reader to decide.
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Step Two: Finding the Topic
• Plan on presenting yourself as a real person – flawed!
• Keep time/space limitations in mind – no epics.
• Remember essay needs conflict and resolution ( the point)
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Step Three: Point of View
• First person is the recommended path.
• Second person (you) is awkward and best left to the professionals.
• Third person removes the personal element – not the goal here.
• Use of past tense – makes essay reflective.
• Use of present tense for closing paragraph allows for currency.
• Consistent tense – keeps reader on track
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In Media Res• “in the middle of”• Starting in the middle brings the
reader to attention, gives immediacy, and pares down tedious introductions.
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Step Four: Getting It Down
• Go overboard with ideas; worry about cutting later
• Be non-judgmental of your ideas
• Avoid being sarcastic, overly emotional, smart-alecky, or slavish
• Read it out loud to listen for passive voice, repetitive sentences, awkward phrasing
• Get over it – forget failure, falling short, and difficulty.
• Just do it.
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• Set aside the first draft so it can percolate.
• Read it again after a day or two.• Ask several others to read it.• Don’t fall in love - Be prepared to
cut, change, and rearrange.
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Step Five: “Big Picture” Editing
• Concept problems – It just doesn’t make sense. Start over.
• Presentation – it doesn’t sound natural. Work on the language issues.
• Structure – too much of something; not enough of something else. Outline the essay, and you’ll see it.
• Tone – it seems desperate or overly emotional. Evaluate your word choice and remember your point.
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Identifying the Conflict• Go beneath the surface of the
problem to reveal the real issue at hand.
• Remember that the conflict is what makes the piece readable.
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What’s the Point?• What did you learn from the
experience?• The point is the reason you wrote
the essay.
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Step Six: Second Draft • Second draft is for
restructuring.• Eliminate the
extraneous details.• Cut from the
introduction first.• Play with time – in
media res, ending first, real time
• Delete: the apologetic; the sarcastic; the maudlin; the smarmy; the overly dramatic; the been there/done that
• Be certain your ending has the point.
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Step Seven: Self-Edit• Get rid of clichés,
metaphor, and similes that everyone knows.
• Evaluate amount of space allocated to each section of the essay.
• Vary sentence lengths.• Use punctuation to
regulate rhythm of essay.
• Use a natural tone and formality.
• Employ active voice rather than passive voice.
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What’s My Job?• Come to class on
Monday, September 14 with a COMPLETE 500 word personal statement.
• Use the common apps prompts or prompts from your own apps.
• Use your B-M notes and your graphic organizer notes to help you.
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• Essays need to be typed, double spaced. You will receive a grade for coming to class properly prepared.
• Do not come in to class with an excuse as to why your essay is unfinished or not printed. Plan ahead.