Personal/College Essay

Personal Essay

Prompt: The culminating writing assignment for the students’ exploration of the concept of self identity and the individual in conflict is a personal essay or, alternatively, a college essay.  This essay should be about the writer’s exploration of an idea or experience that leads her/him to a new insight or discovery.  The previous work in this curriculum unit provided you with a portfolio of writings to draw from, but you may want to start fresh with your own idea. 

College Essay Option:  If you need a college essay, this writing assignment will work for that purpose.  Get the essay prompt and instructions for your college of interest.  These should be available at college websites.

Materials Needed:

-          portfolio of previous writings

-          Write Source for grade 12

Procedures:

1) Review the charts you filled in as a pre-assessment activity for this unit.  We looked at     “Salvation” by Langston Hughes – p. 210 and “Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard – p. 143.

For writing the essay and additional models, refer to Write Source for grade 12:

Personal Essay – Write Source p. 141 – 154

College Essay – Write Source p. 155 - 161

Length: 500-750 words (this is negotiable for those writing the college essay option)

Due Dates:

Draft 1: October 27

Draft 2: October 28

Draft 3: November 3

Final Draft: November 4 (80 summative points, 20 Non-academic)