Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Once I review a prompt with my student, I don't want them to start writing their essay. I want them to brainstorm. No outlining, no thinking about structure--just stream of conscious writing about the points of the prompt.
If you start trying to write your essay off the bat, you're forcing your essay structurally and lessening the chance of discovering through the creative process. Take the pressure off writing and free yourself by brainstorming first to see what you find.
Let's look at the newest Common App prompt as an example:
If you start trying to write your essay off the bat, you're forcing your essay structurally and lessening the chance of discovering through the creative process. Take the pressure off writing and free yourself by brainstorming first to see what you find.
Let's look at the newest Common App prompt as an example:
| | 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
| |
Photo by Kampus Production Now, pretend you are an Olympic swimmer coiled on the block. The starter gun goes off and you fly into the water and swim your brains out. In this case you'll write your brains out. For at least 10 minutes about the first point of the prompt. Who is your someone? How did they surprise you? Write down all the relevant details you remember.
Don't worry about organizing thoughts or connecting sentences or utilizing good grammar. Don't judge; don't hold back. Just keep that pen or those keys moving. You are simply downloading thoughts. Later you'll cull through these thoughts to craft an essay. But for now--even if those initial sentences seem worthless or stupid--keep going. This process often reveals good content...if you let yourself go.
If a few minutes pass and your pen or fingers are flying effortlessly, you are likely onto something good. If your timer goes off and you still have more to say, keep going. If thoughts don't come easily, you may not have picked a topic that is truly significant or meaningful to you.
Then reset your timer and repeat this downloading with each point of the prompt.
Don't worry about organizing thoughts or connecting sentences or utilizing good grammar. Don't judge; don't hold back. Just keep that pen or those keys moving. You are simply downloading thoughts. Later you'll cull through these thoughts to craft an essay. But for now--even if those initial sentences seem worthless or stupid--keep going. This process often reveals good content...if you let yourself go.
If a few minutes pass and your pen or fingers are flying effortlessly, you are likely onto something good. If your timer goes off and you still have more to say, keep going. If thoughts don't come easily, you may not have picked a topic that is truly significant or meaningful to you.
Then reset your timer and repeat this downloading with each point of the prompt.
Warning to Computer Science Students
Just about every industry involves computer science in some respect these days. Each year, many of my students are either going to major in computer science or minor in it, and they have already taken courses in the field. When I review their first round of brainstorming, I often see bullet points. This type of thinking is natural for someone who creates code, but it's not very good for writing because bullet points don't contain details. They are literally dots, and it is what connects these dots that is the substance of engaging writing. Use the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, how and why) and the senses (when appropriate) to flesh out your details, your story.
Just about every industry involves computer science in some respect these days. Each year, many of my students are either going to major in computer science or minor in it, and they have already taken courses in the field. When I review their first round of brainstorming, I often see bullet points. This type of thinking is natural for someone who creates code, but it's not very good for writing because bullet points don't contain details. They are literally dots, and it is what connects these dots that is the substance of engaging writing. Use the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, how and why) and the senses (when appropriate) to flesh out your details, your story.
Bottom line: Don’t bullet point, don’t outline. Write!
Divide and Conquer
Once you have completely investigated your topic and exhausted your thoughts brainstorming, it's time to start putting your essay together. Before going any further, look at your notes. Are they all in one giant overwhelming run- on paragraph? If so, you won't know where to start.
If you brainstormed on a computer, go back and insert paragraph breaks between distinct thoughts and points. As you do this, you might find that some items near the end of your notes tie in with other things written earlier. Move sentences and paragraphs around until similar thoughts are clumped together. Don't worry about order or flow or grammar or anything making total sense; for now, you are simply sorting data.
If you brainstormed on paper, type your notes into the computer and go through the previous exercise. Having a printed version of your notes will make them easier to review and refer to as you craft your essay.
Once you have completely investigated your topic and exhausted your thoughts brainstorming, it's time to start putting your essay together. Before going any further, look at your notes. Are they all in one giant overwhelming run- on paragraph? If so, you won't know where to start.
If you brainstormed on a computer, go back and insert paragraph breaks between distinct thoughts and points. As you do this, you might find that some items near the end of your notes tie in with other things written earlier. Move sentences and paragraphs around until similar thoughts are clumped together. Don't worry about order or flow or grammar or anything making total sense; for now, you are simply sorting data.
If you brainstormed on paper, type your notes into the computer and go through the previous exercise. Having a printed version of your notes will make them easier to review and refer to as you craft your essay.
Now print your notes on good old-fashioned paper so you can get physical with what you've written. Wade into your rivers of words and pan for the gold. Highlight what sparkles to you--anything that seems interesting or good. These nuggets and flakes will become the bones and content of your essay. Even though they are currently raw and unrefined, they will morph as you work through the writing process.
Don’t expect perfection on the first draft--or the second one either!
They Call It a Creative Process for a Reason
Michelangelo said this about sculpting: “The idea is there locked inside. All you have to do is remove the excess stone.” And so it is with writing. Your slab of marble is the white page or screen in front of you, and as that page fills with words, you will see the form emerging. Don't fret if all you observe at first is a hand, because that hand wants to get free. As you chip away the excess stone, that hand leads you to an arm, which will then lead you to a torso, and before long, you will literally see your creation appearing. When it does, you will know exactly what to do with it.
They Call It a Creative Process for a Reason
Michelangelo said this about sculpting: “The idea is there locked inside. All you have to do is remove the excess stone.” And so it is with writing. Your slab of marble is the white page or screen in front of you, and as that page fills with words, you will see the form emerging. Don't fret if all you observe at first is a hand, because that hand wants to get free. As you chip away the excess stone, that hand leads you to an arm, which will then lead you to a torso, and before long, you will literally see your creation appearing. When it does, you will know exactly what to do with it.
My writing motto: Exposition first. Form later.
I know, I know; this sounds as if I just told you to forget everything you learned in English composition! Ultimately, you will find order and structure--I'm simply suggesting a different way of getting there. Release yourself from the shackles of outlining, devising topic sentences, and over planning, which only stifle creativity and voice. Trust me: your essay will find its form. For now, loosen up so you can be playful and discover what is locked inside.
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