1. Finish 1x1's (if you shared your essay with me at the end of last class, look at your feedback before you come up and see me)
2. Complete your peer review.
3. Submit your work to Turnitin.com  Make sure you put the prompt and the target word count (if it is not 600 words) at the beginning of your document.  Use MLA format.  Give your essay a creative title.
4. All done?  Listen to this podcast.

HW: Personal Essay due Monday at 11:59 PM

I can write an engaging and unique personal essay.

• Get a chromebook.
• Sign up for a 1x1 with me.
• Work on your draft.   You may listen to music while you work, but no other homework or phones.
• After you have had a 1x1 with me and have made  revisions based on the 1x1, do a peer review with a partner.  Use the rubric. and give each other in text comments.
• Here is a write up of the full assignment- for clarity's sake.
  

​HW: Essay Due on Monday!

Hasan Minhaj- "Prom"
​Be prepared to talk about his storytelling techniques and reflections.

Here is a write up of the full assignment- for clarity's sake.
Here is the rubric.

Coming Up:
Draft feedback: 1x1's with me and peer reviews
The Things They Carried

I can write an engaging and unique personal essay.

• Grab a chromebook
• Review Personal Writing Criteria
• Writing time- focus on telling your story
• Get stuck?  Check in with me for help

I can write an engaging and unique personal essay.
​

• Grab a chromebook.
• ​Open mrsevansenglishclass.com in a tab
  
• Add yourself to our class on Turnitin.com

Essence Objects (Brainstorm, 15 min.)

• Grab a partner.  You are going to work with this person (almost) all period.  Make sure it is someone who you will be productive with.

This is what I want you to do with your partner:
1.  Read/listen to all of these resources:

• Ira Glass on Storytelling Part 1
• How to Improve Your Mediocre Extracurricular Essay in 30 Minutes
• Four Qualities of an Amazing College Essay

​2.  Together, create a list of 5 specific things that one must do to write a successful and interesting personal essay.  BE SPECIFIC.  Write a sentence or two to explain each one.  Check out this example.

3.  Then, choose one of the following essays.  Read a few before you choose one. Critique this essay against your five points.  Write a letter to the author.  (we won't actually send it).  Offer specific suggestions as to how to improve the essay, and/or offer specific praise.

I can brainstorm ideas for my personal essay.

• Turn in Body Bios- Stack them on the counter.
• Essay Structure Notes
• "Do and Don't"
• Read 4 examples from Essays that Worked (link in the sidebar).  Choose any 4 that appeal to you.
• Complete Brainstorm assignment.

Brainstorm Assignment:
On a piece of binder paper, write the following four things:

• The prompt you have chosen.  (If you are not applying to college, choose a Common App prompt 1-6)
• 3 Essay ideas.  For each, write a few sentences that describe the small story you will tell and the bigger idea/lesson you will get to.

Due at the end of the period!

Finish early?  Start working on part 1 of one of your three ideas.

Personal Essay Examples
"Finding the Flexibility to Survive" & "Accomplishing Big Things In Small Pieces"
-What is compelling about these essays?  What makes you want to keep reading?
-What do you notice about the structure of these essays?

Choose two more from "This I Believe" to listen to and consider.

​HW: Body Bios Due Next Class

Body Bio Discussion:

• Important events from your past.
• Specificity
• Writing
• Work Time!

Body Bios: Due at the beginning of class on Monday