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
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
Step 2
Explore Prompts
10 minutes
Step 3
Individual Brainstorm
10 minutes
Step 4
Peer Critique & Reflect
5 minutes
Slide Deck
My Story Launchpad: Brainstorming College Essay Topics
Objectives
Brainstorming Prompts
Example Idea Map
Using the Story Mapping Organizer
Share & Reflect
Worksheet
Worksheet
Cool Down
