- You will have two hours to complete an essay, approximately two single-spaced pages in length, maximum of 1400 words.
- Use Times New Roman 12 point font.
- Read the prompt carefully and plan your essay before beginning to write.
- Be certain to include your name on your essay.
Upon completion, please upload your essay online at http://www.afcsls.org/cty/ within the 2-hour period.
Essay Topic:
"Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your long-term goals. How do these achievements set you apart from other applicants in the CTY 2012 Summer Program Competition? If you are selected to participate in CTY 2012 Summer Programs, what do you hope to accomplish during your time in the program?"
Your essay will be assessed according to this evaluation matrix:
| Assessment Categories | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Content
Elements of essay addressed
|
Addresses 0-1 elements of the essay |
Addresses 2 elements of the essay |
Addresses 3 elements of the essay |
Addresses all 3 elements of the essay with distinction |
| Originality and Reader Interest Use of imagery and figurative language(offers a sensation that is better than an explanation) Creative Unique consistent personal voice Engages reader |
Run-of-the-mill standard response; unimpressive; does not hold reader's interest; language dull and little use of figurative language |
Engaging at times; creative in parts; occasional use of imagery and figurative language |
Approach is original; frequent use of figurative language and imagery; engaging throughout; unique consistent personal voice |
Sophisticated and creative; thoroughly engages the reader; apt use of figurative language and imagery; leaves reader wanting more |
| Style Variety of sentence structure Appropriate and vivid word choice Shows rather than tells (paints a picture with words) |
Sentences all the same structure; nothing interesting stylistically; insensitive word choice; always tells, never shows |
Some variation of sentence structure; some stylistic flair; uninspired word choice; tells more than shows |
Varied sentence structure that is logical; stylistic vigor; occasional flair with word choice; mostly shows rather than tells |
Varied sentence structure that is both logical and clever; sophisticated style repertoire; word choice spot on; consistently shows rather than tells |
| Organization Well structured with a sense of purpose Cohesive with clear and smooth transitions Presence of supporting evidence and details |
Little to no structure; not cohesive and lacks transitions; supporting evidence and detail lacking or very limited |
Some faults in structure; Mostly cohesive with some transitions; supporting evidence and detail present for 1 or 2 elements |
Structure logical; supporting evidence for all 3 elements but not consistently distributed; cohesive with transitions |
Structure logical and clever; full supporting evidence and details evenly supplied for all 3 elements; cohesive with clear, smooth transitions that make the writing flow |
| Grammar/Mechanics Errors in grammar, punctuation, and mechanics Spelling errors do not affect scores. |
So many errors that the reader is overwhelmed |
The errors occasionally overwhelm the meaning |
Errors have minimal or no effect on the meaning |
Writing overwhelms any errors |