Please prepare a typewritten, double-spaced essay, approximately 825 to 900 words.
The essay should represent your best written communication. Also, be sure to submit
this as a Word document.
Do not submit in Rich Text, Word Pad, PDF, etc.
Please email your documents to [email protected].
Your essay should be a response to the following topic: Please explain two or three primary challenges you will face in returning to school, life experiences whose principles can be applied to overcoming these challenges, and specific actions you will take to overcome these challenges as they arise.
Planning for Your Essay
Review and use this outline to help prepare for your essay.
Introduction
- Background — provide a brief overview of the topic itself.
- Thesis — identify the challenges you face, i.e., “In this paper, I will discuss…” Include the challenges in the order you plan to discuss them in your essay.
Body
- First paragraph — describe one challenge.
- Second paragraph — how will you overcome/address this challenge?
- Repeat steps one and two for each additional challenge you mentioned in your introduction.
Conclusion
1. Sum up your thesis, and rearticulate your supporting arguments.
2. Concluding thought — possible thoughts might address one or more of the following questions: What meaning can you derive from your experiences and challenges? What does the future hold? Are you ready to face your challenges? Why or why not?
Some Guidelines for College-Level Writing
- Begin your essay with an introductory paragraph that includes a thesis statement detailing the main points of your essay. This thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introduction. Note: a well-defined thesis will help you stay on topic.
- Make sure to diversify your sentence structure with a variety of lengths and phrases.
- Keep your word choices fresh and avoid clichés. Make sure your words are precise and specific.
- Conclude your essay with a paragraph that restates your thesis and summarizes all the previous paragraphs.
- Double check your writing for correct spelling and punctuation, and remember that spellcheck won't catch everything.
- Be yourself. Write in your own unique, natural voice, and use “I” statements freely.
Proofread your composition carefully; consider reading it aloud.
If you need additional help, contact your contact your enrollment specialist.
Free writing resources are available
online at www.purdue.edu/owl.
Evaluation
A writing instructor will use this rubric to evaluate your essay. Use it as a guide as you develop your essay.
| Content | Evaluator's Comments | Points |
| Each point of the response topic is developed in the essay, as indicated in the directions and guidelines. | /30 | |
| Relevant life experience is analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated in the essay. | /25 | |
| The topic discussion is supported with illustrations, anecdotes and examples. | /15 | |
| Structure | Evaluator's Comments | Points |
| The introduction is well-crafted and ends with a clear thesis statement. The conclusion is strong and relevant. | /5 | |
| There are a variety of quality sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphs logically and sequentially defend and support the thesis. | /10 | |
| Intentional editing and proofreading is demonstrated; there are no spelling errors and no major errors in grammar, punctuation or usage. | /15 | |
| Total Points /100 |