Common App Assignment Description

Due Date: November 21st by 11:59pm

Late Essay grades will be dropped 50%
You will choose a prompt from the provided 5 Common App prompts.
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so
meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this
sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount
an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what
did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to
act? Would you make the same decision again?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an

intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of
personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what
steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal that marked your

transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Essay Length: The Common App requires at least 250 words and no more than 650
words. This will be strictly enforced, and grading will stop at the 650 th word.
The essay should appropriately answer the prompt, use showing vs. telling writing,
and keep readers engaged. This essay is not only for a grade, but should be able to
serve as your actual college essay to be sent in with your college application.
Important Dates: November 10th and 11th - in the computer lab to write a rough
draft
November 14th Bring 3 copies of your paper to class
November 15th and 16th in class peer review
November 17th and 18th in the computer lab to write final draft
Essays will be submitted by 11:59pm on November 21 st
Please Note: If you plan to apply for colleges very soon (in November or early
December), please let me know so that I can grade your paper first.

Criteria to be
Assessed
Ideas
__/20

Content
__/30

Organization
__/20

Voice/Diction
__/15

Mechanics
(Spelling,
Capitalization,
Punctuation,
Grammar)
__/10
Does the paper
meet the word
requirement? 250650 words.

Mastery

Proficient

Developing

Needs Work

16-20pts
Writing successfully
presents the topic in
a novel or unique
way. Writing
includes excellent
and specific
concrete detail and
insightful
commentary.
24-30pts
Writing effectively
shows versus tells a
story. Paragraphs
are focused with
strong topic
sentences and
seamless transitions.
16-20pts
Writing has a
compelling and
logical
flow of ideas.
12-15pts
Writing reveals your
unique personality
and view of the
world, leaving the
reader to want to
know more about
who you are, all
while using high
diction.
8-10pts
Writing has no
mechanical errors.

11-15pts
Writing presents the
topic in an
interesting way.
Writing includes
good concrete detail
and some insightful
commentary.

6-10pts
Writing presents the
topic in an ordinary
way. Writing
includes concrete
detail, but
commentary is
obvious, simplistic,
or generic.

0-5pts
Writing presents
topic in an ordinary
way. Concrete
details and
commentary are
either weak or
missing.

16-23pts
Writing mostly
shows versus tells,
but could use more
detail. Paragraphs
have a topic
sentence and uses
transitions.
11-15pts
Writing has a
logical flow of
ideas.

8-15pts
Writing struggles to
show versus tell.
Paragraphs lack
focus and struggle
with transitions.

0-7pts
Writing tells a story
rather than showing.
The paragraphs lack
focus and writer
does not include
transitions.

6-10pts
Organization is
rough but workable.
It sometimes gets
off topic.
4-7pts
Writing is bland.
There is no hint of a
real person behind
the writing, and
writer uses neutral
or low diction.

0-5pts
Writing is aimless
and disorganized.

2-4pts
Writing has many
mechanical errors.

0-3pts
Writing is
incomprehensible
due to mechanical
errors.

5pts
Yes

8-11pts
Writing reveals
some of your
thoughts and
feelings, but needs
more personality
behind it. Writing
shows an attempt at
high diction.
5-7pts
Writing has very
few mechanical
errors.

0-3pts
Writer uses low
diction and sounds
too informal. It
sounds like you
don't care about the
topic of the essay.

0pts
No

__/5

Total ______/100
Comments: