Here are some of the opening sentences from last year's college essays for you to read....

• Running 5k’s has allowed me to free my mind.
• For the longest time, I couldn’t imagine the possibility of choosing a career and following through with it—or anything else for that matter.
• Life can start off rough, but it’s up to you to change it.
• My father always told me, “Never run from your problems, run towards them”
• The summer before my 7^th grade year changed my life forever.
• I guess you could say the “hood” made me who I am—but that wouldn’t tell you much about me.
• I’ve been told for the last 6 years, “You’re an outsider” by my classmates.
• Some people are born lucky and things come easy in life, but for most of us, we have to make our own luck.
• There are a few words I would use to describe myself, ___________, as a human being.
• The story of my life has not always been “peaches and cream,” but more a series of obstacles to get where I am right now.
• When I look back at my life, I always picture myself as this little girl standing in the middle of a football field, wondering why it feels like it’s drizzling everywhere else, but on me, it’s pouring.
• I always wished that I lived what I would consider a “fairytale” type of life.
• Growing up, I never liked the way my mother did my hair. She never did it the way I wanted it to be done.
• Thursday, March 5, 2008, was just an ordinary day for most people, but for me it was life-changing.
• I learned a valuable truth about myself when…..
• Sometimes I just sit and wonder, “why?”
• I have always been the girl who was uncomfortable in her own skin.
• To be blessed means to have had an amazing achievement or significant experience that satisfies you, and you alone.
• For the first part of my life, people told me what a perfect family I had. At age 11, I became aware that one of my parents was living a double-life.
• On this wild, yet satisfying journey through high school, it has been difficult to say the least.
• I thought I was going to pass out at any moment.
• As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a famous football star so I could get my family to the top.
• I have always tried to please everyone around me, even though I know I clearly cannot.
• The room is dark; the only light on is coming from this computer that I am typing on.
• Daddy wasn’t home. Mommy would read the letters he sent home for us.
• My life has been an emotional roller coaster.
• As the daughter of immigrants from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, I have always had a very diverse home life.
• I'm sure you could hear the sound from miles away.
• To give up is to say you cared, and I'm not sure I really ever tried.
• The intensity was high that day, and so was the temperature.
• Looking at me now, you would never guess that I was the girl who....
• When I think about my life as a whole, I am often confused about the decisions I have made--but those mistakes are mine, and mine alone.
• Perfection can only be achieved when your best self meets your best effort--and even then it's a long-shot.
• Before you ask me, you need to first consider the possibility that I may tell you something you don't want to hear.
• It's not an opinion. It's a fact.
• I'm not going to start this off by telling you how determined I am and what a great addition I will be to your school.
• I can make anyone laugh. If you don't believe me. I will prove it to you.
• If a picture can paint a thousand words....I'm probably close to a million right now.

Another example: MMA
Yet another example :grandma

"Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples

Click here to read the article: Read here

Please answer the following questions:
1. Why does Staples characterize the woman he encounters in par. 1 as a "victim"?
2. What does Staples mean when he says he has the power to "alter public space"?
3. How does Staples know that people other than the woman in par. 1, perceive him (and other young black males) as dangerous? Does he think this is valid at all? (do they have any reason to believe it may be true)
4. Why is Staples surprised that people would see him in particular as dangerous?
5. How does Staples attempt to make himself less threatening in par. 11 and 12? What do you think about his decision to do this?
6. How did you feel about this personal narrative written in 1986? Do you think this still happens today or is it out of date? Do you have any personal experiences where you've seen or experienced people making assumptions about you or you making assumptions about others' based on their looks?

listen to it being read here: Black Men and Public Space audio

Here are some helpful links on writing your college essay....

Tips for the College Essay from the College Board
College Essay #1 and Critique
College Essay #2 and Critique
Tips Slideshow
Ways to Get Started (very helpful)

Lots of awesome sample essays to read and get ideas from

Day 2 Agenda

Today we will:

• Review policies/answer any questions that you have
• Point out important areas of the room
• Take our College Accuplacer Test (test they give before you enter college--even ECC--to see if you place into a regular English 101 course)

If you don't get a high enough score, you will have to take a pre-101 course which is basically like repeating 12th grade English--but you pay them for it...and you get ZERO credits.)

*Complete the multiple choice on the quiz page (you will receive full-credit for finishing)
*See if you can begin the essay (as much as you can get done in the period)

On the back of your worksheet please write the following information:

Name:
Parent/Guardian:
Address:
Parent/guardian phone:
Shop:

Teacher last year:
Approx Grade in class:
Did you pass the exam?:

*Goal average for this year:
*Goal for next year (college/work):
*Anything else I should know about you?

For today....

We should take DBA #4---If you complete it, I will give a 100 in the book as a quiz grade.

We will continue to work on the following assignments:
1. Senior Farewell Essay (50 pts.)
2. 10 Castle Learning Assignments (10 pts. each=100 pts.)
****You may do extra Castle Learning Assignments for extra credit (10 pts. each)
3. Any remaining Raisin in the Sun Essays (100 pts.)

Here is the exciting list of events for today's class:

1. Look at a few examples of senior speeches
2. Work on organizing our ideas
Here is the format for the exit speech: format link
3. When you are finished with the outline you can begin drafting
4. Next week, we will peer-edit (but if you are ahead feel free to ask a friend to read/sign your outline today)

The due date for the (hopefully typed) paper is: No later than Friday 6/10 (but asap would be better)