Description

Listening 201: Elements of a Great Idea – Get that great idea on paper without feeling like you’re pulling teeth. In this session we’ll discuss brainstorming techniques, student voice and how to help young people recognize their own best ideas. We’ll also talk about how to align student, parent and professional expectations to make the most of the essay-writing process.

What We Say and What They Hear – What do you mean when you tell students to share their passions? Avoid clichés? Stay away from controversial subjects? What do these statements mean to young writers? This session explores strategies for clarifying your essay-related messages so students understand exactly what colleges are looking for and how they can stand out.

Straw Into Gold: Brainstorming Techniques that Work Like Magic – We ask our students to come to their brainstorming appointments with at least four story ideas. What happens when those ideas are weak, cliché or incomplete? We’ll use real examples to demonstrate how we turn uninspired ideas into meaningful essay topics by focusing on process instead of product. Learn how to encourage reflection so students own their ideas and write better first drafts.