Often, the subject that makes for the best essay is the one you least want to talk about. So stay open as you begin the brainstorming process, even to your most sensitive relationships and memories, and notice if there’s a story you’re afraid to tell. Maybe that is your best topic. Most importantly, don’t hold back or self-censor: don’t be afraid to show your messiness and flaws, and know that no story from your life is too small or too silly to include (as long as it’s not from when you were a very small child!).
It takes courage to be vulnerable and imperfect, to admit to your mistakes and regrets. A tip? Be courageous as you brainstorm.
The following questions are some that we use in our 1:1 work, and that you might find helpful to answer as your brainstorm:
- To start, make a timeline of turning points in your life so far. These could include:
- confrontations
- arguments
- mistakes
- catastrophes
- challenges
- betrayals
- failures
- successes
- life reversals
- epiphanies
- breakthroughs
- beginnings
- births
- death
Try to identify 6-8 (or more!) of such turning point moments and write three or more sentences about each. Turning points tend to suggest scenes with dramatic potential in addition to being moments of change and growth, and nearly all the essays our students write revolve around them. Keep in mind that turning points can be minor, like an argument with a friend about who will take charge of an extracurricular project.
- Describe your immediate family members and your relationship to each one. What makes your family different from other families?
- List four words you would use to describe yourself and explain why you chose each one.
- What is something you struggle with and would prefer most people not know about you?
- What are you scared to write about? Why does it scare you?
- What do you most enjoy doing with your spare time? Why?
- What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to work on it?
- What do you do better than almost anyone else?
- What topic or idea (or TV show or book or sport…) could you read about (or watch YouTube videos on) for hours? What makes it so fascinating to you?
- Do you collect anything? If so, what is it, and why do you feel compelled to collect it?
- Do you have any rituals or routines that may seem odd, obsessive, or out of the ordinary?
- Is there any part of your identity that is important to who you are and that you have not mentioned elsewhere?
Think fast:
- A time when you discovered that you were stronger than you thought:
- A time when you realized you were just plain wrong or messed up:
- A time you struggled over a tough choice:
- A problem you solved:
- A question that you believe must be answered or a mystery you’re trying to get to the bottom of:
- A mark you want to make on the world:
When we work with students one-on-one, we review the brainstorming document, noting the narratives, ideas, themes, and details that interest us the most. It can be easier for us, as outside readers, to notice recurring patterns (for example, how you constantly link your ideas back to collecting objects) or to make new connections between disparate experiences and interests (like between your love for puzzles and your brothers leaving for college). Since it will be harder for you to do this for yourself, you should: 1) wait a week between completing and evaluating your brainstorm, and 2) find an outside reader who can read your brainstorm and give you feedback.
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