After I graduate high school, I plan on ___________. This is the best choice for me because _________. Others who care about me might envision my path leading me to ___________ because __________.

Do this on a fresh piece of paper, you will be turning it in.

9/29/15 – QUICK WRITE

Think about your chosen path (what you mentioned in the quick write).

Now list THREE qualities that you possess which will support you in your chosen path.

You have three minutes.

YOUR QUALITIES

Create a mind map for each of the three qualities you listed, brainstorming other career paths that are connected to them. You have 5 minutes.

MIND MAPPING

Now list three qualities that you hope to develop over the next 5 years.

Do these qualities support your chosen path? Why or why not?

NEW QUALITIES

In first-person narrative form, write about an event that you have experienced in the past that leads you to believe that you will be successful in your chosen path.What happened?What qualities did you exhibit?What were you thinking in the moment?

At the end, add a few lines of reflection. If the event happened again, would you react the same way?

Why do you think you reacted the way you did?

How did the event impact who you are today?

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Please turn in your Personal Narrative assignment into the Period 0 box.

We will gave a guest speaker to begin the class. Please be prepared to listen attentively.

9/30/15

To further find your narrative voice, you will perform a 3-5 minute speech in front of the class.

Your speech will make a statement about YOU through the telling of a story.

When writing your speech, you must consider your audience: who are you speaking to, and what must you do to get them interested and keep them entertained?

The speeches will be performed on Friday and Monday. I will randomly select the speakers, so be prepared on both days.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE SPEECH

As you write your outline, consider the following:Structure your speech like a story: set the scene, describe characters and conflict, build tension, then solve it and end with a bang.

You are speaking to a specific audience (your classmates).

Use of humor is fine as long as it doesn’t pull the audience away from the importance of your story or cause them to lose focus.

Use formal, appropriate language. Invoke the senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell.

SPEECH OUTLINE

As you watch and listen to the TED Talk, make note of what methods Susan Cain uses to get her point across.

How does she get/keep the audience’s attention?

How does she structure her speech?What worked? What didn’t?

THE POWER OF INTROVERTS

What do you know about personal statements or college application/scholarship essays? Do you know anyone who has written one in the past? What do you think is the significance of these essays?

10/7/15 – QUICK WRITE

Two prompts, 1,000 words total (the short answer needs to be at least 250 words)

Start earlyBrainstorm topicsWrite persuasivelyUse “I” statements (it is all about you after all!)

Proofread and editSolicit feedback

UC PERSONAL STATEMENT

Come up with three individual words that describe the “world” you come from.

They can be adjectives, items, qualities, people (anything that you connect to your “world”).

When your done, choose one word and add it to the “world” on the board. If your aim is to be silly, please save it for another time.

Be ready to discuss/explain the word you added.

THE WORLD YOU COME FROM

Read the first example essay, “Give Goth a Chance.”

As you read, make note of your response (you may write on the paper!)

Did the author meet all the requirements?

What are its strengths?What are its weaknesses?What techniques were affective?Be ready to discuss.

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES

Read the second example essay, “Harmony Through Chaos.”

As you read, make note of your response (you may write on the paper!)

Did the author meet all the requirements?

What are its strengths?What are its weaknesses?What techniques were affective?Be ready to discuss.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

Read the third example essay, “The Bitter and the Sweet.”

As you read, make note of your response (you may write on the paper!)

Did the author meet all the requirements?

What are its strengths?What are its weaknesses?What techniques were affective?Be ready to discuss.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

Read the fourth example essay, “An Identity.”

As you read, make note of your response (you may write on the paper!)

Did the author meet all the requirements?

What are its strengths?What are its weaknesses?What techniques were affective?Be ready to discuss.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

In your groups, rank the four personal statements, with 1 being the best and 4 being the worst.

For each statement, write a one-sentence explanation for your ranking.

You will turn this in (one per table group).

Be ready to share your rankings and explanations.

RANK THE STATEMENTS

UC: Opens November 1, closes November 30.

CSU: Opens October 1, closes November 30 (some colleges accept applications later; do your research and be sure!)

Private schools: Deadlines vary, so visit the college’s website to find out!

COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES

If you are applying to a UC, begin brainstorming your personal statement. Which prompt will you use more words on? What will your topic be?

If you are using the Common App, decide which prompt you want to address and begin brainstorming your topic.

If you are applying to CSU schools or community college, research an essay topic for a scholarship.

Regardless of your intentions for next year, every student is required to write a personal statement.

BRAINSTORM

The first draft of your personal statement is due next Wednesday, October 13.

The final draft is due Monday, October 19.

Students with unexcused absences on either of these days will have the assignment marked late.

If you are going to be absent either day, you must email me your personal statement before class starts.

HOMEWORK

What is the birth name of Mark Twain, author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

Tell me the answer before the bell rings to receive 1 point of extra credit.

Please have your personal statement rough drafts out to be stamped.

10/14/15 - TRIVIA

What has been your experience with peer edits? Do you find them helpful? Why or why not? If not, what could you do to make the experience helpful?

You do not have to write this; just discuss in your group.

Please have your Personal Statement rough draft out to be stamped.

10/14/15 – QUICK DISCUSSION

Remember, the peer edit is designed to help make your and your partners essays BETTER!

Give feedback where feedback is due; don’t worry about hurting feelings.

First read the essay through without making any comments or edits; just read for comprehension.

Then read it again and make any edits or comments.

Then complete the peer edit sheet thoroughly. You will be graded on how much effort you put into the editing.

PEER EDIT

When you’re done, return the essay to your partner.

Discuss any comments/edits you made.

Talk to the author about what worked, what could be done even better, any ideas you have.

The rough draft and peer edit will be turned in with the final draft on Monday, October 19th.

PEER EDIT

This morning, Obama is set to announce that he will halt the withdrawal of troops from this country.

Tell me before the bell rings to receive 1 point of extra credit.

10/15/15 - TRIVIA

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

1984 by George Orwell Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse The Stranger by Albert Camus Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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