Topic

Directions: Read the following college essay excerpts. As you read, consider the implications for each essay and evaluate what is, and is not, working for them.

Essay #1 (from Occidental)

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I believe in jello; a silly greeting, tasty dessert, or the answer to life as we know it?

Factor #1: Have you ever tried to make jello? It takes patience. First you have to boil the water; then mix it with powder, stirring for two minutes; then finally adding the cold water and putting it in the fridge for forty-five minutes. Think about the creation of people...

Essay #2 (from John’s Hopkins)

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-3 tablespoons butter

-2 eggs, whisked

-2 medium carrots

-1 small white onion

-1/2 cup frozen peas

-3 cloves garlic

-salt and pepper

-4 cups cooked and chilled rice

-3-4 green onions

-soy sauce (to taste)

-2 teaspoons oyster sauce (optional)

-1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

I bet you didn’t read those numbers.

I’ll let you in on a secret – I didn’t either.

The ingredients above were copied and pasted from the first Google search result for “fried rice recipe.” But, without any disrespect to the recipe’s owner, I can tell you it’s wrong.

The only true fried rice recipe is no recipe at all. There are no measurements, no exact instructions, no timer for how long something should sizzle in the pan. There are only smells and feelings and memories. I learned to cook fried rice on the rickety stool covered in Blues Clues stickers, surrounded by the scents of my nainai’s Minnie Mouse apron, my yéyé’s cashmere sweater, or my mama’s Pantene shampoo; in the comfort of our cozy condo and our sweltering Hángzhou apartment; by watching the eggs crack over delicate china bowls, tossed and stirred in woks using slanted wooden spatulas. We used however much leftover rice we had, however many eggs we found appropriate, and a combination of anything and everything or nothing sitting in the fridge.

Yet-

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Topic Priorities

Does it reveal something about your personality?

Does it tell readers something new & not rehash your resume?

Does it tell readers something inappropriate? (It shouldn’t...)

Does it focus on you and not another important person/text/event?

Does it avoid cliches?

Could someone else have written them basically this same essay? (Not a good thing!)

Does your topic ultimately speak to a larger thematic concept, or is it kinda just...a story?

Directions: Read the following college essay excerpts. As you read, consider the implications for each essay and evaluate what is, and is not, working for them.

Essay #1 (from Occidental)

Essay #2 (from John’s Hopkins)

Topic Priorities

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