The 17-Minute Essay

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The 17-Minute Essay
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STEP 1

• You will be writing on the following prompt
  Write an essay explaining the importance of
  working through adversity in order to create an
  opportunity.

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STEP 2

• Brainstorm and write for ONE minute to answer the
  question What is adversity? What is adversity
  NOT? Write a simile or metaphor for adversity?

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STEP 3

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for THREE minutes answering
  the question How do you know thats true? (how
  do you know you must go through adversity to
  create a positive opportunity?)

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STEP 4

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for THREE minutes about the
  quote What does it mean? How do you know thats
  true?

There is no better than adversity. Every defeat,
every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own
seed, its own lesson on how to improve your
performance the next time. Malcolm X
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STEP 5

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for THREE minutes about a
  person in History/or someone you have read about
  that also proves the idea. Explain how and why
  this person fits the idea. (Who, What was the
  challenge faced-be specific, how/what do they
  face the challenge, what was the result of facing
  the challenge, how the adversity turn into
  something positive.)
• (Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, Baron Batch, Doodle,
  Mdme. Loisel, Panyee Soccer kids)

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STEP 6

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for THREE minutes about a
  person currently in news/world that also proves
  the idea. Explain how and why this person fits
  the idea. (Who, What was the challenge faced-be
  specific, how/what do they face the challenge,
  what was the result of facing the challenge, how
  the adversity turn into something positive.)
• (Fireman, Police, President, Athlete, teachers,
  military, Etc.)

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STEP 7

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for THREE minutes about how
  the idea has been proven true in your life
  experiences. (someone you know, you, or someone
  you have observed around you.

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STEP 8

• Take a breath and start a new paragraph.
• Brainstorm and write for ONE minute about lessons
  or reflections you can learn or take away from
  the topic of adversity.
• What is a life lesson one can learn about the
  topic?

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STEP 9

• Re-read your essay ? If there is a paragraph that
  is weak, cross it out . . . It will only make
  your essay stronger.