The Better College Essay:
Fitting in and Standing OutElizabeth A. Stone PhD
www.amazon.com/author/elizabethannstone
Mentoring students and editing
without a pen
why the college essay?
narrative autobiography
adolescent social cognition
the disconnect
Person
Conceptualization
developmental levels
1. Objective: demographic
2. Evaluative
3. Personality traits, implied dispositions, abilities
4. Modified, Qualified, Elaborative
5. Psychological insight
Our teens
Have not yet reached Level 5, the insight that is
expected from many essay prompts
Mentors or mediators can move teens
towards higher levels of person
conceptualization by prodding, reflecting,
integrating
essays can be either DYNAMIC or CATEGORICAL
Dynamic: Narrative storytelling
Categorical: Research, opinion, factual
Generating material
interview from resume and questionnaire
integrating experiences
reflecting, questioning
story starters
outline free
verbal feedback - question - reflect - integrate -
discover
editing without a pen
self-editing
word currency
word compacting
reading out loud
the Better Essay is authentic and
demonstrates a cognitive shift
www.campanile.us
http://amazon.com/author/elizabethannstone
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