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ORGANIZING OUR REFLECTIVE/HS/COLLEGE
ESSAYTaking steps to build a strong
personal essay for your high school or college application
COLLECT SUPPORTING POINTS/REASONS There are three things essayists
consider when they collect their supporting points/ reasons:
1. Do the reasons support the claim?2. Do we have enough information to
support our reasons?3. Are the reasons different enough?
ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY If the answer is yes to all 3 questions,
put your claim in a box. Your claim is your thesis or overall main idea of your essay.
I used to think that the little things that I did didn’t matter, but now I realize that a small sacrifice can make a big difference in the life of someone else.
COME UP WITH TWO OR THREE SUPPORTING POINTS. THESE POINTS SHOULD STRONGLY SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM/ THESIS:
I used to think that the little things that I did didn’t matter, but now I realize that a small sacrifice can make a big difference in the life of someone else.
WRITE DOWN YOUR SUPPORTING POINTS/REASONS AS BULLETS:
I realize that a small sacrifice can make a big
difference in the life of someone else because it
can show a loved one that you care for them.
I realize that a small sacrifice can make a big
difference in the life of someone else because it
can help contribute to their success.
I realize that a small sacrifice can make a big
difference in the life of someone else because it
can help build up a stronger community.
CLASS PRACTICEClass Claim: We’ve noticed that many
people stick to routines, but we’re starting to realize that it is important to take risks.
What supporting points/ reasons can you and your partner come up with? Take a few minutes to discuss this.
COLLECT SUPPORTING POINTS/REASONS There are three things essayists
consider when they collect their supporting points/ reasons:
1. Do the reasons support the claim?2. Do we have enough information to
support our reasons?3. Are the reasons different enough?
SAMPLE SUPPORTING POINTS/REASONS FOR CLASS CLAIM:
It is important to take risks because if you don’t, great opportunities may pass you by.
It is important to take risks because it shows that we have grown as a person.
It is important to take risks because taking risks is a part of our lives.
GATHERING EVIDENCE The evidence that support your
points/ reasons can be in the form of:
Examples (personal, world, and text)
Quotes (from someone well-known)
Parts of the moment/ experience
GATHERING EVIDENCE: YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH PERSONAL EXAMPLES TO SUPPORT YOUR POINTS/ REASONS: We’re starting to realize that it is important to take
risks because if you don’t, great opportunities may pass you by.- World example: You might miss out on a fulfilling career.- Personal example: when I gave teaching middle school a chance as opposed to teaching fifth grade.- Quote: "Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller
