{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"709: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling (Ep 8: Molding Clay) with Calvin Pickett","description":"Hi, friends, and welcome back to our series, \u201cOn Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling.\u201d In this series, we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be.&amp;nbsp; In this episode, we break down an essay that is one of my new favorites. It\u2019s conceptually rich because even though it\u2019s on molding clay, it could be considered any of these montage types: I love\/I know, Essence Objects, Skills\/Superpower, Identity, Home, or Uncommon extracurricular activity. That\u2019s not a goal I\u2019m suggesting you pursue, by the way, just interesting to note. To discuss it, I'm joined by Calvin Pickett, the Director of Essay Coaching here at CEG. Calvin has been a college essay coach for more than eight years, and a lover of words and stories since he can remember. Calvin studied English Literature at Vassar before earning his master's in Secondary English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He believes in the potential for this college essay writing process to be transformational for students, and loves helping them see and shape their own stories in ways that empower self-knowledge and self confidence and lead to exciting college opportunities.&amp;nbsp; If you're a craft nerd at heart (the kind of person who watches behind-the-scenes footage twice), I hope you\u2019ll feel right at home. &amp;nbsp;We hope you enjoy! &amp;nbsp; Play-by-Play:  &amp;nbsp;2:16 \u2013 Calvin sets context for the essay and the student who wrote it &amp;nbsp;3:40 \u2013 Calvin reads the essay, \u201cMolding Clay\u201d&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;9:23 \u2013 How did the author come up with her topic?&amp;nbsp; 11:21 \u2013 Calvin and Ethan discuss the first paragraph and how it grounds the reader 14:31 \u2013 How does the author use insight in her second paragraph to convey details that might not be elsewhere in her application? 18:49 \u2013 How do the author\u2019s core values guide her metaphors and examples throughout the essay? 20:53 \u2013 What is a montage essay and how did the author decide on which parts to include in the final draft?&amp;nbsp; 23:47 \u2013 What is the balance between \u201cshowing\u201d or \u201ctelling\u201d in a college essay?&amp;nbsp; 29:26 \u2013 How does the author\u2019s unique voice help her stand out?&amp;nbsp; 32:52 \u2013 How can students weave in parts of a challenge or narrative into their montage essay? 38:31 \u2013 How important is a strong closing paragraph? 42:43 \u2013 What are some key concepts from this essay that students can apply to their own writing? 48:31 \u2013 Why might students choose to avoid AI in the college essay writing process?&amp;nbsp; 51:40 \u2013 Closing thoughts&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Resources:   \u201cMolding Clay\u201d Essay College Essay Guy\u2019s Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy\u2019s College Application Hub    ","author_name":"The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions","author_url":"http:\/\/collegeessayguy.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41215595\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/201730135"}