2009 Senior Writing Prompts
The following two written responses account for approximately half of your total SEP rating. Several raters will examine your responses for both critical thinking (Can you establish a system of thinking or a line of logic? Is your thinking substantiated with creditable evidence?) and creative thinking (Can you generate a new or novel idea or line of thinking? Can you connect existing ideas with a new perspective?). Please note that we are looking for creativity in your thinking – not the format you choose to present your ideas in. Instructions: In a written format of your choice (newsletter, essay, letter to an elected official, briefing, newspaper column, etc.), provide an answer to each of the two writing prompts. Save your responses to EACH prompt (separately) in a Word, PDF, or .txt file for later upload into the application if applying on-line. Writing Prompt #1: In an ever-changing and evolving society, people from economists to educators to parents debate what the primary purposes of education and schooling should be. In your opinion, what should education prepare students for? Why? Include creditable evidence for your thinking and in-depth reasoning. Writing Prompt #2: Guided by your response to Writing Prompt #1, describe one or two innovative recommendations you could make to leaders in the field of education on how curriculum and instruction in schools should be structured (i.e. types of classes taught, who should teach classes, how classes are taught, primary student learning experiences, etc).