<p>But I got zero responses on those. So much for this “good” advice…</p>
<p>So now I wonder: why zero responses? Seems like kids are ALWAYS asking about essays and it seemed like a simple formula to me, but is it harder than it looks? Or is essay time over for this current crop of applicants? OR, maybe it was not good advice after all. Hmmmm… Any parental opinion on the Secret Formula?</p>
<p>dig, it was <em>great</em> advice! I’ve pointed several students in that direction… to be told that they’ve already finished their essays, thankyouverymuch. The only one for whom it was “hmmm, cool” relevant was the one who’s finishing 2 scholarship apps this weekend.</p>
<p>I think the timing was a bit off, but it is great advice, and inspiring. Bump it next fall! ;)</p>
<p>(PS: I think the OP in that second thread you referenced was writing a <em>paper</em> probably for school, not an essay for an application.)</p>
<p>I do believe there is a lull in essay writing. I also suggest that you consolidate this thread with the one on editing essays by Ohio Mom. For future students, it will make searching for tips easier. And it will make it easier for parents to refer students to a single thread.</p>
<p>My S’s essay started out pretty much as you suggested, with an attention-grabbing vignette. If I say so myself, it was a pretty good essay.</p>
<p>Essay time is indeed past for most of this year’s kids. </p>
<p>My S’s best essays typically start with a vignette of some sort. The ones that “can’t” often seem a bit more forced. Looking back, practice does help. His early EA essays were OK, but the later ones got better and better, as he got the hang of personal statements.</p>
<p>Not to be negative and I hope I don’t get flamed, but I also think that some of the posters requesting help with an essay want someone to read and edit a particular essay - they may be less interested in improving their overall writing…</p>
<p>Often (usually? always???) here the emphasis is on “what do I need to do to get in?” So general help is of interest only if they haven’t quite begun the essay yet…</p>
<p>Also, never underestimate the allure of humor. Imagine you are an adcom and have spent the past 3 hours reading tales of striving for excellence, challenge of leadership, triumph over tragedy. Now you begin the first line of my son’s essay, the opening line of a James Taylor tune, “In line, in line, they’re all in a line. My ducks are all in a row. They do not shift, they do not move. They have nowhere to go.” I suspect that his humorous take on his slightly crooked teeth at least got a few chuckles.</p>
<p>I love your S’s opening lines, as well as his theme. Unfortunately, the attempts at humor I’ve read on CC have been pretty atrocious. So I tend to advise students away from humorous topics.</p>
<p>I think the ultimate test to ask yourself of any essay is: will the reviewer want to show it to others?</p>
<p>As for humor, everyone is different and you never know who will be reading your work. </p>
<p>A good friend of mine teaches AP English and of course has to read and edit a huge number of college essays. She says that she can’t believe - even with the AP students - how stifling they are to get through. She limits herself to correcting the grammar and giving them back to the kids.</p>
<p>wish<em>it</em>was_april had a very good point above: In general the kids are overwhelmed with applications and essays and their ongoing schoolwork and activities. It IS true that they want to get help with a specific essay (“please don’t make me start over - just tell me where my mistakes are…”) and they just want to get admitted, not generally improve their writing skills.</p>
<p>I think the advice was good for “here’s an example of one approach”, but the idea that there is a secret formula is really the wrong message to send. Also I just don’t believe this kind of cookie cutter approach is best for everyone.</p>
<p>I think the best thing for people having a hard time starting is to have a live person to brainstorm with and bounce ideas off. 2nd thing is to try a crude draft. It’s ok if that sucks because you will rewrite it keeping the good parts. Some people don’t ‘get’ that you don’t write essays in your head and have them come out fully formed, rather that you need to put the messy stuff on paper in order to start shaping it up. That’s another problem with your approach is that there isn’t any process to it, it’s a secret formula and that may be intimidating.</p>
<p>Not to say it was bad advice, and I liked your example.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with you. The “secret formula” thing is totally tongue-in-cheek.</p>
<p>Sometimes, people want to say something and haven’t a clue how to start. I agree with you that getting something down on paper and then working on it is important. A little nudge toward AN approach (any approach?) then starts the words flowing is a good thing, I think. There’s still plenty of work ahead after that…</p>
<p>That writing is a process is extremely critical - but too many kids don’t have the time, interest or patience for multiple drafts. S goes to a school where they are usually required to do things in multiple drafts or offered the chance to rewrite. It is not something he enjoys. I like to write and do not mind the rereading and rewriting necessary to produce a good piece of work. My H doesn’t enjoy it but is very good at it and willing to do it to improve the piece. Older D was much more willing than S currently is. Good thing - she is planning to teach HS history and English!</p>
<p>The other thing is that in real life, writing is a much more communal or shared process than it tends to be in HS when “doing your own work” is a necessary value. But in the work place, and among professional writers, drafts get perfected as multiple people get out their red pencils and set out to improve the piece. I do not think that “group work” in most HSs teaches this process either…</p>
<p>The philosophy of teach writing has been rapidly changing away from the red pencil approach (this is wrong), to a feedback or collaborative approach (can you express this more clearly?, please elaborate…)</p>
<p>I think the problem is that no one is writing essays now, and just the thought makes some of our stomachs churn. Post it again in the summer, you’ll get some good responses.</p>
<p>Digmedia, I always search for your posts and have copied a number of them for my files. There are certain CCers on my list for this. So please don’t cut back the advice. I think the posters who say it was the timing are right on. Kids here don’t even want to think about their essays now, and the juniors have not yet started to think about them. When the season comes around, hopefully someone resurrects that post, as it is very valuable. You, Taxguy, Originaloog, Carolyn, Marite, and many others come up with info that is not in any college guide, and timely to the moment. I post what I know because of all this info that folks like you share with everyone. So it should be, and I am glad there is a forum to do this, and that most of the posters are such great people.</p>