Friday, November 20, 2009

Writing a college essay

Writing a college essay can be a very difficult task. However, there are techniques to help make this task easier. The writing process is a three stage approach to planning and creating a college essay. These stages are known as prewriting, writing, and revising. If a student follows this process, one will write a good paper.

The first stage of the writing process is called prewriting. There are four prewriting techniques that help writers to understand the topic and purpose of the writing assignment. The techniques are brainstorming, diagramming, making a list, and preparing an outline. In brainstorming, you generate ideas for your writing. A writer might write their impressions, or write a list of ideas for an essay. It helps you to get a clearer picture of what you are trying you say. Diagramming is helpful for people who think in a visual way. One can put your idea in a circle and branch off examples. The other technique is making a list. One list as many items it can that has a relation to your topic. Their goal is to make details and to gather as much material as possible so you have something to start with when you go to write your paper. The last technique is preparing an outline. The thesis statement is clearly stated on the outline and a specific outline format. Outlining gives you a sense of organization and allows you to see quickly if you have enough support for your ideas. After if one is done with prewriting, one moves on to the next step.

The second stage for the writing process is called writing. In the writing phase, you make decisions about developing and organizing your ideas into writing and discover what you know about the subject. Insights gained from the prewriting phase help shape ideas into meaning for yourself and others. One may prepare a rough draft, focusing on the purpose of the writing and choosing a suitable form for a specific audience. You need a thesis to work with first. The thesis will be your guide while you write your essay. An effective thesis statement should not be an obvious opinion that every reader already shares and focuses on an idea that can be supported evidence rather than emotion.

The third stage of the writing process is called revising. One clarifies and refines their writing in thesis stage. After one has finished one draft of the essay, they should begin revising your paper. Revising might involve change the written expression, so that it clearly conveys the ideas, sentences to create and effect, and inserting punctuation and correcting spelling to assist the reader. Two examples of revising are editing and proofreading. When one edits your paper, one is looking for mistakes in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage. Proofreading comes after one edit in the final copy for any mistakes in typing or handwriting. Revising might also involve redrafting.

As you can clearly see, the writing process is a three step approach that makes writing easier. If you follow these steps, you should be able to write a good college essay.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Dinner Award Party

The tennis season was over. We had our dinner party with everyone such as the coaches, parents, captains, varsity, and the JV team. We had to wear formal clothes to the dinner award party. Almost everyone was wearing a nice outfit such as dresses, skirts, and tops. The dinner was at Harbor Bay Club Lower Deck. When everyone has arrived, we talked for a while. After that, we went to find a sit with our friends so we can talk while eating the foods.


My friends and I said the food was delicious especially the macaroni and the mango dessert. All of the people that went had a fantastic dinner because we were all bloated. Also there were pictures of all of us on the screen so we all saw it. After that, our coaches gave awards to all the people such as JV team and Varsity team. The JV team was first, then the Varsity team. The JV team got a certificate and a metal. Some people in the Varsity got a letter A and a certificate. And some people got a trophy and a certificate. We were all cheering for each other and had a fun time.


After that, our captains gave a speech to all of us, parents, and the coaches. Also our captains gave a photo frame to all the coaches that were signed by all of us on it. When it was done, our captains: Michelle and Sarah gave a speech such as thanking all the parents that support the team. Also thanking the tennis coach that help us improve a lot by giving us drill. Also thanking the teams that we were like a family to them. My friends and I thought it was really emotional when they said that. It looks like they wanted to cry because they are seniors and it is their last year here.


When the speech was over, we all hang out and had an excited time. During the tennis season, I really had a great time learning new skills.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

New Purpose Statement

In the beginning, my goal was to be in the tennis team and improve my essay. Therefore, I am in the tennis team and improving my essay every single week. Usually I write about SAT prompts or things that are happening to me. When I looked back to see what I wrote the first time, I said that I was going to write about tennis and SAT prompts. Most of my writing is mostly about SAT prompts.

My new goal is to be in the badminton team because it's similar to tennis. I find that badminton is really fun. Also I am going to continue writing about SAT prompts. Continuing writing about SAT prompts can help me improve my essay. Also I am going to continuing writing about happy events. When I am writing about an exciting event, it makes me write more and more. Also I want to use difficult words on each of my essay. I don’t think I’m going to make it into the badminton team because this year is difficult. It’s difficult because the varsity people are really good and they have a quick reaction to hit it back. The varsity people are usually senior. Another goal is that if I don’t get into badminton team, I want to join track. Track because I want to run fast and not get tired.