Lesson Plan
Brainstorming College Essay Topics
Students identify at least three nuanced personal experiences or interests as potential college essay topics and organize them through deeper reflective mapping.
Advanced brainstorming encourages self-analysis and mature storytelling, strengthening authentic, college-ready essays.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Analytical prompts, iterative mapping, and peer critique.
Materials
- Sticky Notes, - Pens or Pencils, - Chart Paper or Whiteboard, - Brainstorming Prompts List, and - Story Mapping Organizer
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Brainstorming Prompts List for advanced question categories
- Print one Story Mapping Organizer per student
- Prepare sticky notes and writing tools for each student
- Set up chart paper or whiteboard for group sharing
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Introduce lesson purpose: advanced brainstorming for college essays
- Explain how reflective depth makes essays stand out
- Display the Brainstorming Prompts List
- Clarify goal: generate at least three ideas with analytical details
Step 2
Explore Prompts
10 minutes
- Guide students through the Brainstorming Prompts List
- Read each advanced prompt category aloud (e.g., identity moments, ethical challenges, cultural insights)
- In pairs, have students discuss one example and note a quick idea
- Encourage analytical notes on sticky notes
Step 3
Individual Brainstorm
10 minutes
- Distribute the Story Mapping Organizer
- Ask students to select three prompts, mapping Who, What, Why, Impact plus Lessons Learned
- Write keywords and analytical reflections on the organizer and sticky notes
- Teacher circulates, probing deeper connections
Step 4
Peer Critique & Reflect
5 minutes
- Form triads; each student shares one mapped idea
- Peers offer constructive feedback on clarity and depth
- Ask students: Which idea reveals your unique perspective?
- Conclude by outlining next steps for developing these into essays
Slide Deck
My Story Launchpad: Brainstorming College Essay Topics
One 30-minute session for 6th graders to generate unique personal story ideas for future college essays.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today’s goal is to brainstorm college essay topics by exploring personal experiences and interests.
Objectives
• Identify at least three personal experiences or interests as potential essay topics
• Organize ideas using a graphic organizer
• Share and reflect on your strongest idea
Review each objective so students know what they will accomplish. Emphasize the importance of both idea generation and organization.
Brainstorming Prompts
Refer to the full list: Brainstorming Prompts List
• Milestones (e.g., a big achievement)
• Challenges (e.g., overcoming a hurdle)
• Passions (e.g., favorite hobbies)
• Community (e.g., helping others)
• Achievements (e.g., awards or recognitions)
Display the prompt categories on the board. Read them aloud and ask students to jot quick examples on sticky notes.
Example Idea Map
Prompt Category: Passions
• Who: Me and my music teacher
• What: Learning guitar at school club
• Why: Love expressing feelings through music
• Impact: Gained confidence performing for peers
Walk through this example step-by-step. Ask students to notice how each detail helps build a story.
Using the Story Mapping Organizer
- Choose three prompts that resonate
- Open your Story Mapping Organizer
- Fill in Who, What, Why, and Impact for each idea
- Write keywords or short phrases
- Use sticky notes for extra details
Explain how to use the organizer. Highlight that they only need key words or short phrases at this stage.
Share & Reflect
• Pair up and share one idea from your organizer
• Ask your partner: Which idea feels most compelling and why?
• Listen to feedback and choose your strongest story
• Next: Develop this idea into your first essay draft
Wrap up by organizing students into pairs. Prompt reflection on which idea feels most compelling and why. Preview next steps for essay development.
Worksheet
Brainstorming Prompts List
Use the advanced categories and questions below to uncover deeper personal stories for your college essays. For each category, choose one prompt that resonates and write your idea in the space provided.
1. Identity & Core Values
• Describe a moment when you realized something fundamental about who you are.
• What value or belief of yours has been tested, and how did you respond?
Your idea:
2. Ethical Dilemmas or Moral Challenges
• Recall a situation where you had to choose between right and easy. What did you decide and why?
• When have you stood up for what you believed, even if it was unpopular?
Your idea:
3. Cultural & Community Influences
• How has your cultural background or community shaped your perspective?
• Describe a moment you bridged cultural differences or learned from someone with a different worldview.
Your idea:
4. Intellectual Curiosity & Passions
• What academic or creative pursuit has challenged you to think differently?
• Describe a project or hobby that sparked a deeper question or exploration.
Your idea:
5. Leadership, Service, & Impact
• When have you initiated positive change in your school or community?
• Describe an experience where collaboration taught you something about yourself or others.
Your idea:
Use this enhanced list to map out three nuanced story ideas on your Story Mapping Organizer. Dig deep and aim for authentic, memorable reflections!
Worksheet
Story Mapping Organizer
Use this organizer to map out details (Who, What, Why, Impact, Lessons Learned) for three story ideas you brainstormed on the Brainstorming Prompts List.
Page 1 of 2
Idea 1
Who:
What:
Why:
Impact:
Lessons Learned:
Idea 2
Who:
What:
Why:
Impact:
Lessons Learned:
Page 2 of 2
Idea 3
Who:
What:
Why:
Impact:
Lessons Learned:
Deeper Reflections
For the idea you feel strongest about, what questions, details, or emotions do you want to explore further?
Reflection & Next Steps
Which of your three ideas feels the most compelling for a college essay, and why?
What is one concrete next step you will take to develop this story idea? (e.g., outline scenes, research context, gather feedback)
Cool Down
Reflection Prompt
As our session wraps up, reflect on your brainstorming work.
1. Favorite Story Idea
Which of your three ideas from the Story Mapping Organizer feels most compelling for a college essay? Explain why you chose it.
2. Next Step
What is one concrete step you will take next to develop this story idea into a strong essay? (e.g., gather details, draft an opening, ask a peer for feedback)
Thank you for your reflections—this will guide your next writing steps!