Lesson Plan
Unlock Your Future Essay
Students will explore the purpose and structure of a college admissions essay, brainstorm personal stories, and draft an engaging introduction to practice finding their unique voice.
Understanding how to shape personal narratives and hook readers builds writing confidence and lays groundwork for future high school and college applications.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Discussion, guided brainstorming, and quick-write practice
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the College Essay Structure Handout, Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet, and Engaging Introduction Examples for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with key points on the handout so you can guide discussion smoothly.
- Queue a timer or digital countdown tool for each activity block.
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Ask: “What’s a story you tell when you introduce yourself?”
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share briefly.
- Highlight how engaging details make stories memorable.
Step 2
Introduction to Purpose
5 minutes
- Distribute the College Essay Structure Handout.
- Review: purpose of admissions essay, three main parts (hook, story, reflection).
- Emphasize the hook’s role in grabbing attention.
Step 3
Brainstorm Personal Stories
7 minutes
- Hand out the Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet.
- Prompt students to list 2–3 meaningful moments (challenges, achievements, passions).
- Circulate and support students in refining ideas.
Step 4
Draft an Engaging Introduction
8 minutes
- Show the Engaging Introduction Examples.
- Ask students to choose one story idea and write a 3–5 sentence hook that opens their essay.
- Encourage vivid detail, a question, or an intriguing fact.
Step 5
Share & Feedback
3 minutes
- Pair students to read their introduction drafts aloud.
- Partners give one specific compliment and one suggestion (e.g., add sensory detail or tighten language).
Step 6
Cool-Down
2 minutes
- Exit ticket: on a sticky note, write one thing you learned about writing a strong hook.
- Collect for review and use to inform next writing lesson.
Slide Deck
Unlock Your Future Essay
• 30-minute lesson for 7th Grade
• Learn the purpose & structure of a college admissions essay
• Brainstorm personal story ideas
• Draft an engaging introduction (hook)
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s lesson: how to write a strong college essay introduction. Explain that over the next 30 minutes, students will learn the parts of an admissions essay, brainstorm personal stories, and draft an engaging hook.
Warm-Up
What’s a story you tell when you introduce yourself?
• Invite 2–3 volunteers to share a quick anecdote
• Highlight vivid details that grab attention
Warm up the class by connecting to experiences they already have. Encourage volunteers to share briefly, and emphasize what made each story memorable.
College Essay Structure
A college admissions essay has three parts:
- Hook – grabs the reader’s attention
- Story – shares a personal moment or experience
- Reflection – explains why the story matters
Distribute the College Essay Structure Handout. Walk through each part—hook, story, reflection—explaining its role and purpose in an admissions essay.
Brainstorm Personal Stories
• List 2–3 meaningful moments in your life
– A challenge you overcame
– An achievement you’re proud of
– A passion or hobby that defines you
• Choose the most engaging idea
Hand out the Brainstorming Worksheet. Circulate while students list 2–3 personal moments—challenges, achievements, passions. Ask guiding questions if they get stuck.
Engaging Introduction Examples
-
“The first time I painted a mural, the entire wall shook under my brush strokes—a heartbeat moment that taught me the power of public art.”
-
“Have you ever felt your heart pound so loudly you thought everyone would hear? That was me at the edge of the diving board.”
-
“On my tenth birthday, I baked my first cake entirely by accident—and discovered my love for creative problem solving.”
Show a few example hooks. Read them aloud and point out what makes them intriguing (sensory detail, a question, a surprising fact).
Draft Your Hook
Using your favorite story idea:
• Write a 3–5 sentence introduction
• Include vivid sensory detail, a question, or a fascinating fact
• Aim to make the reader want to keep reading
Prompt students to pick one story and write a 3–5 sentence hook. Remind them to include vivid detail, a compelling question, or an intriguing fact.
Share & Feedback
• In pairs, read your hook aloud
• Give one specific compliment
• Offer one suggestion (e.g., add detail or tighten language)
Have students pair up. They take turns reading their draft intro aloud. Partners provide one compliment and one suggestion for improvement.
Exit Ticket
On a sticky note, write one thing you learned about writing a strong hook. Hand it in as you leave.
Collect the exit tickets to gauge understanding of hooks. Use these insights to plan the next writing lesson.
Lesson Plan
Spark Your Personal Essay
Students will brainstorm meaningful personal experiences, organize their ideas using a graphic organizer, and draft a compelling hook to begin their personal essay.
Developing the ability to tell authentic personal stories and structure them effectively lays a critical foundation for future academic and college application writing, boosting student confidence.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Discussion, guided brainstorming, and graphic organizer activity
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of College Essay Structure Handout, Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet, Personal Essay Graphic Organizer, and Engaging Introduction Examples for each student.
- Review the key points on each resource so you can guide discussions and answer questions.
- Set up a timer or digital countdown tool for each activity block.
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Ask: “What’s one interesting fact or moment you’d love a college admissions officer to know about you?”
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share briefly.
- Highlight how starting with a personal detail grabs attention.
Step 2
Purpose & Structure
4 minutes
- Distribute the College Essay Structure Handout.
- Review the three parts: Hook, Story, Reflection.
- Emphasize how each builds on the last to create a cohesive narrative.
Step 3
Brainstorm Personal Moments
6 minutes
- Hand out the Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet.
- Prompt students to list 2–3 significant experiences (challenges overcome, passions pursued, proud achievements).
- Circulate to support and help refine their ideas.
Step 4
Complete Graphic Organizer
8 minutes
- Introduce the Personal Essay Graphic Organizer.
- Guide students to fill in:
- A working hook idea
- Key story details (who, what, when, where, why)
- Reflection notes on why this story matters
- Encourage vivid details and honest reflection.
Step 5
Draft Engaging Hook
5 minutes
- Display the Engaging Introduction Examples.
- Ask students to choose their strongest story idea and write a 3–5 sentence hook.
- Remind them to use sensory details, questions, or surprising facts.
Step 6
Share & Feedback
1 minute
- Pair students briefly to read their hook aloud.
- Each partner gives one specific compliment to a peer’s hook.
Step 7
Cool-Down (Exit Ticket)
1 minute
- On a sticky note, students write one new strategy they learned for crafting a strong hook.
- Collect to inform your next writing lesson.
Slide Deck
Spark Your Personal Essay
• 30-minute lesson for 7th Grade
• Brainstorm & organize personal story ideas
• Draft a compelling hook for your essay
Welcome! Explain that today’s 30-minute lesson will guide students through brainstorming personal stories, using a graphic organizer, and drafting a strong hook for a personal essay.
Warm-Up
What’s one interesting fact or moment you’d love a college admissions officer to know about you?
• 2–3 volunteers share briefly
• Notice how personal details grab attention
Ask the question on screen and invite 2–3 volunteers to share. Emphasize how starting with a personal detail immediately draws in a reader.
Purpose & Structure
A personal essay has three parts:
- Hook – grabs attention
- Story – shares your personal moment
- Reflection – explains why it matters
Distribute the College Essay Structure Handout. Review each part—Hook, Story, Reflection—and explain how they build a cohesive narrative.
Brainstorm Personal Moments
• List 2–3 significant experiences:
– Challenges overcome
– Passions pursued
– Proud achievements
• Choose your most engaging idea
Hand out the Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet. Circulate and help students list and refine 2–3 significant experiences.
Graphic Organizer
Using the Personal Essay Graphic Organizer:
• Write a working hook idea
• Note key story details (who, what, when, where, why)
• Jot down reflection notes on why it matters
Introduce the Personal Essay Graphic Organizer. Model filling in the hook, story details, and reflection notes, then let students work.
Engaging Introduction Examples
-
“The first time I painted a mural, the entire wall shook under my brush strokes—a heartbeat moment…”
-
“Have you ever felt your heart pound so loudly you thought everyone would hear?”
-
“On my tenth birthday, I baked my first cake entirely by accident…”
Show the Engaging Introduction Examples. Read each aloud and highlight features like sensory detail, questions, or surprising facts.
Draft Your Hook
• Pick your strongest story idea
• Write a 3–5 sentence introduction
• Use vivid details, a question, or a surprising fact
Prompt students to choose their best story idea and write a 3–5 sentence hook. Remind them to include vivid detail or an intriguing question.
Share & Feedback
• Pair up and read your hook aloud
• Give one specific compliment to your partner’s hook
Pair students and have them read hooks aloud to one another. Each partner gives one specific compliment to encourage positive feedback.
Exit Ticket
On a sticky note, write one new strategy you learned for crafting a strong hook.
Hand it in as you leave.
Collect exit tickets to assess understanding of hook strategies and to inform the next lesson.
Worksheet
Personal Story Brainstorm Worksheet
Part 1: Brainstorm Moments
- Challenges I have overcome:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- Achievements I’m proud of:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- Passions or hobbies that define me:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
Part 2: Influential People or Moments
List 2–3 people, events, or experiences that have significantly shaped who you are today:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
Part 3: Times I Took a Risk or Faced a Dilemma
Recall moments when you made a tough choice or stepped outside your comfort zone:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
Part 4: Memorable Lessons Learned
Think of 1–2 times you learned something important about yourself or others:
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
Part 5: Choose One Story to Develop
Which of the above ideas is most compelling or authentic? _______________________
Story Details:
- Who was involved? ___________________________________________________
- What happened? _______________________________________________________
- When and where did it occur? _________________________________________
- Why is this moment important to you? _________________________________
Part 6: Reflection
In a few sentences, explain why this experience reveals something unique about you, shaped your perspective, or taught you a valuable lesson.
Use this worksheet to help you fill out the Personal Essay Graphic Organizer next.
Reading
College Essay Structure
A strong college admissions essay guides the reader through your personal journey. It has three main parts:
1. Hook
- Grabs the reader’s attention immediately.
- Uses vivid sensory details, a surprising fact, or a question.
Example: “Have you ever felt your heart pound so loudly you thought everyone would hear?”
2. Story
- Shares a personal moment or experience in clear, engaging detail.
- Focus on the who, what, when, where, and why of your story.
Example: “Last summer, I spent two weeks rebuilding a neighborhood garden with my grandmother, learning the value of community and patience as we turned a wasteland into a green space.”
3. Reflection
- Explains why the story matters to you and to your future.
- Connects your experience to your personal growth, goals, or values.
Example: “Through that project, I discovered my passion for environmental stewardship and the power of small actions to create big change.”
Use this handout alongside the Personal Story Brainstorming Worksheet to collect your ideas and craft a meaningful, memorable essay.
Activity
Personal Essay Graphic Organizer
Use this organizer to outline the three key parts of your personal essay. Fill in each section with clear, specific details.
1. Hook
What will grab your reader’s attention right away?
- Working Hook Idea:
_____________________________________________________________
2. Story Details
Capture the who, what, when, where, and why of your chosen moment.
-
Who was involved?
_____________________________________________________________ -
What happened?
_____________________________________________________________ -
When and where did it occur?
_____________________________________________________________ -
Why is this moment important to you?
_____________________________________________________________
3. Reflection
Explain why this story matters and how it connects to your growth or future goals.
- Key Reflection Points:
_____________________________________________________________
Now use this outline to guide your essay draft. Next, write a 3–5 sentence version of your hook using vivid detail or an intriguing question!
Reading
Engaging Introduction Examples
Use these examples as inspiration for creating a strong hook in your personal essay. Notice how each one uses different strategies—sensory details, questions, and surprising facts—to grab the reader’s attention.
1. Sensory Detail
"The first time I painted a mural, the entire wall trembled under my brush strokes—each color splashing against the concrete felt like a heartbeat pounding in my chest."
Why it works: Vivid imagery makes the reader feel like they’re there, experiencing the moment with you.
2. Rhetorical Question
"Have you ever held your breath, waiting for an answer that could change everything? That was me at the edge of the diving board, toes curled over the blue abyss."
Why it works: A question directly involves the reader and builds suspense.
3. Surprising Fact
"By the time I turned ten, I had accidentally baked my first cake—without a recipe—and discovered that following my curiosity can lead to the sweetest results."
Why it works: An unexpected fact or twist catches the reader off guard and makes them want to learn more.
Now, try writing your own 3–5 sentence hook using one of these strategies:
- Sensory Detail: Describe what you saw, heard, or felt.
- Question: Ask something that draws readers into your experience.
- Surprising Fact: Share an unexpected moment that hints at deeper story.
Use your hook to make your reader eager to dive into your personal story!