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Essay 1: Descriptive / Narrative Essay

OPTION A. Common App

Instructions: The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.) ** Your teacher won’t accept a response shorter than 500 words.**

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

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 

OPTION B. Other

Select a prompt from a college or scholarship application essay that requires a narrative or descriptive response of 500 words or more. Make sure to include a copy of the prompt with your essay. (Note: this must be a new essay. You cannot reuse one from a previous class or application.)

Requirements:

▪ 500-750 words (650 is the max for Option A; 500 is the minimum for either option)

▪ MLA Format (typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, and 1” margins)

▪ Narration and/or description included in your essay

▪ Thesis is present (either implied or clearly stated)

▪ Selected prompt attached as cover page

▪ Must earn 70% or higher to earn credit (see 70% Rule on my website)

Due Dates:

▪ Prompt selection and brainstorm on September 27.

▪ Typed copy of rough draft due on September 29.

▪ Final Draft: 75 Points. Bring a printed copy with rubric attached. Submit to before class starts on October 5.

Narrative / Descriptive Essay Rubric TOTAL SCORE: __________ / 75

| |Focus |Description |Style |

| |______/25 pts |______/25 pts |______/25 pts |

|Excellen|-The prompt is answered with a well-thought |-The ideas of the essay are enhanced by use |-Narrative structure enhances meaning and |

|t A/A- |out response; the writer chose a very good |of descriptive writing. |interest. |

| |topic. |-Ideas are shown through clear, vividly |-The writing is concise and ideas are |

| |-Implied or directly stated, the thesis is |detailed descriptions. |conveyed with clarity. |

| |clear and well supported throughout. |-Specific moments in this essay are |-The writer’s voice seems genuine and |

| |-Content is unified and compelling. |memorable. |displays a strong personality behind the |

| | | |writing. |

|Strong |-The prompt is answered clearly and |-Clear purpose in use of descriptive writing.|-The paper follows a logical narrative |

|B+/B/B- |completely. |-Relevant details often used to show main |structure. |

| |-Implied or directly stated, the thesis is |idea. |-Sentences are clear and usually concise. |

| |clear and supported in several ways. |-Specific moments in this essay stand out to |-The writer’s voice is present and displays |

| |-Content is strong, but could be more |the reader, though not quite as memorable. |some sense of personality behind the writing.|

| |unified. | | |

|Adequate|-The prompt is mostly answered. |-Uses descriptive writing. |-The paper has a narrative structure, but it |

|C+/C/C- |-The thesis is mostly clear and is somewhat |-Provides details, but tells more than shows.|seems formulaic. -Sentences are mostly |

| |supported. | |clear but sometimes wordy. |

| |-Content could be more unified. |-Certain moments seem somewhat bland or |-The writer’s voice is sometimes present and |

| | |unoriginal. |there are hints of personality behind the |

| | | |writing. |

|Needs |-The prompt is somewhat answered. |-Writing suffers from lack of descriptive |-The narrative structure detracts from the |

|Developi|-The thesis is present, but somewhat |passages. |reader’s interest or understanding.-Sentences|

|ng D+/D|confusing and barely supported. |-Details are scarce or used mainly to tell. |are unclear. |

| |-Content is lacking in specific areas. |-Specific moments are cliché |-The writing lacks voice and displays little |

| | | |personality behind the writing. |

|Signific|-The prompt is not answered. |-Writer never attempts to enhance the ideas |-No clear narrative structure (all one |

|ant |-The thesis is unclear or off-prompt; little|using description. |paragraph).-The writing is often awkward and |

|Lapses |to no support for the main ideas. |-Little to no detail |unclear. |

|F |-Major holes in content prevent reader from |-Specific moments in this essay are memorable|-The writer’s voice is totally absent or |

| |understanding ideas. |for the wrong reasons. |inappropriate for the assignment’s purpose. |

| |

|Conventi|-0 to -1 |-2 to -3 |-4 to -5 |-6 to -7 |

|ons |Lapses in grammar, spelling, |Lapses are few and do not |Occasional lapses distract |Major lapses frequently distract|

| |capitalization, formatting, or punctuation|distract the reader |the reader |the reader |

| |are minimal. | |Some mistakes in spelling, | |

| | | |capitalization, and/or |Frequent mistakes in spelling, |

| | | |sentence fluency. |capitalization, and/or sentence |

| | | | |fluency. |

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