"For many artists, and most definitely journalists, it is often the assignment and the deadline - not inspiration - that launches the work. Such was the case when the publisher Little, Brown called and asked if I'd be interested in writing another writing tools book, but this one for high school students who have to write their college admissions essays."
"What surprised me most was how much I learned from studying the work of these young people, lessons I have been able to apply to my own writing and teaching. I have argued that, for those who are not professionals, the college admissions essay may turn out to be the most high-stakes piece of writing they will ever have to create."
"All of the elements of sophisticated writing are there in the work of these aspiring college students: creative use of a prompt or assignment, a compelling opening, memorable and telling details, elements of storytelling (from scene-setting to dialogue), a credible and appealing voice, evidence of knowledge and curiosity - all in fewer than 600 words."
A publisher's unexpected phone call prompted the author to write a guide on college admissions essays for high school students, despite having no prior plans for another writing book. The author accepted because of existing experience with high school writers and a rejected proposal from a decade earlier. The resulting book, featuring 100 tips and 25 student essays, revealed valuable lessons about sophisticated writing. College admissions essays represent high-stakes writing for most non-professionals, incorporating elements like creative prompt interpretation, compelling openings, memorable details, storytelling techniques, credible voice, and demonstrated knowledge within strict word limits.
#college-admissions-essays #writing-instruction #creative-process #high-school-writing #sophisticated-writing-techniques
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