Sample College Essay Review

Obj: I can use the scoring criteria to inform my own writing and evaluate student sample essays for narrative techniques.

1. Opening Lines/Review Scoring Criteria

https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=31010

2. Sample Essays

1. Review scoring criteria--what makes a good college essay?
2. Each group will get 3-4 student sample essays to read
3. Read the essays silently (pass them around your group) and write down some comments about the essay on your sticky notes. Attach your sticky notes to the essay.
4. → Try to use the scoring rubric when evaluating the essay!
5. As a group, try to decide which essay was the strongest. Be ready to defend it!

3. Writing Workshop: Partner up and “read” your essay outline to your partner. Basically, you are taking them through your “plan” for what you will write--what prompt are you answering, what message are you conveying, what personality or character traits are you revealing about yourself? (And structure--beginning, middle, end)

Wrap-up: What elements of the scoring criteria are you most confident in your abilities to do well? Where do you feel like you need to spend a little extra time and effort to improve your skills?

H.W.: COMPLETED draft of your college essay--ready to turn in and have reviewed/edited by peers and me!  

HW: Have a first draft of your college essay for next class