Yes, @Publisher – what in your opinion is the essay for?
I personally love the “tell a story” idea. What is more engaging than that?
To help nieces, cousins, the occasional child of my own who actually wants my advice, I have helped them come up with ten essay topics. We take about 10 minutes to do thsi. Just list them and do not edit them in advance.
Then eliminate all but about 3 topics/ stories.
Then the student can choose one of the three solid topics to write on.
It seems to get the thing moving without inserting my own voice in the process.