<ol>
<li>Haven’t decided what to analyze, but I think I’m pretty close.</li>
<li>Almost done (I wrote it in 3rd person because I feel weird about doing so many essays in 1st person, but 1st would probably be fine)</li>
<li>Screwed lol</li>
<li>1st draft done :)</li>
<li>I basically like all of them, but Michigan I is my favorite (polarization/freedom one), then Cornell II. Halfway done with writing explanations.</li>
</ol>
<p>@jordijay23: I am interested in Cornell II as well! :)</p>
<p>@YellowDaisies: That is hilarious! “I don’t mind which one. Just accept me.” Hahaha. Aren’t we all that way? X)</p>
<p>Ok. Last post and question I promise promise promise. Ok. So for the second essay, are you guys using any personal examples? I mean the prompt basically asks for our own thoughts and views, so wouldn’t personal example work? And don’t you think that each and every one of our second essays will be a little bit biased?</p>
<p>I don’t think bias matters, especially since they’re asking for our opinions. To have a bias is human and unavoidable.</p>
<p>I agree; every essay is going to be biased since they are asking for our views. I think personal examples would be fine. I’m using a bunch of impersonal examples for mine, but if I had some personal ones I’d definitely use them.</p>
<p>Here’s another question; sorry to bombard y’all.
Tonight is just one big brainstorming session for me. </p>
<p>Is writing about the sex industry and whether it’s degrading/empowering for women too provocative or inappropriate? I mean, I see how it really hinges on how I execute the essay itself, but what’s your knee jerk reaction?</p>
<p>My immediate reaction is that it would be totally fine. It seems like they want it to be an issue you care about (I assume this would be your second essay), so if you care about the sex industry’s effects on women and can write about them well and at a good length, and of course appropriately, they might even appreciate the originality (I’m assuming not too many people are going to write about it).
But then again I’m applying this year as well, so I’ll leave it open to former TASPers to respond as well.</p>
<p>Cool beans; I appreciate your input. I want to be risky but not too risky, and many of the other topics I can think of for the second essay are a little bland.</p>
<p>From a 2010 TASPer whom I know…</p>
<p>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It is DEFINITELY not too provocative. That is a perfect topic. Seriously, considering the TASPers and factota I worked with, that would be a great, engaging subject. Also, if you look at the course names for 2011, one of them is “Thinking Girls, Thinking Boys”, so gender and feminism is generally a common topic of conversation.</p>
<p>Haha no problem 
And yeah, my essay is about a more mainstream topic; I’m just hoping the twists I put on it were interesting enough to capture their attention. I definitely care about it, for whatever that’s worth.</p>
<ol>
<li>I’ve picked my text, but am freaking out about what I’m going to do with it.</li>
<li>I’ve written something, though I’ll probably end up completely scrapping it.</li>
<li>The conflict I’m writing about “happened” yesterday!</li>
<li>I’ve got a vague idea of what I’m doing; it’s going to be really related to Essay 2, but hey - I care about that a lot.</li>
<li>Don’t adore Michigan II as much as the others.</li>
</ol>
<p>A question: it seems like a lot of people are writing Essay 2 as a relatively traditional essay, or at least not as something that’s really personal/full of personal experiences. Mine (the way I envision it) will be full of personal incidents/stories (as evidence and a part of the argument), not necessarily “impartial/unbiased” facts. Is that alright?</p>
<p>^ Yes, my second essay is mostly based on personal experiences, too. I think that when you experience something yourself, you are able to describe it at length and add more depth to it than you would if you had written about something impersonal. I’m hoping that the TASP readers will be looking for originality.</p>
<p>Is it OK for an essay to be under 1,000 words even though 1,500 is the maximum number? Would it be looked down upon (maybe that I didn’t try hard enough or that I procrastinated) if I write more concisely (and therefore have a shorter essay)?</p>
<p>Sorry if that didn’t make much sense. IDK why I’m writing my TASP essays at 2:30 AM on the day after Christmas.</p>
<p>Procrastination is absolutely not penalized. Brevity is not, either. The better essays tend to be longer, because they’re making complete arguments or considering multiple facets of an issue. </p>
<p>Note that writing style is not really a big factor (as long as they can follow, you’re fine) while your argumentation and critical thinking is more important.</p>
<p>I love discussing ideas and writing about them, but GOD! I really hate ORGANIZING them in readable essay form. >.< These essays are KILLING me. How are the rest of you holding up?</p>
<p>I keep reading what I’m writing and being negative about it, so that’s only been hindering my productivity.</p>
<p>@jordijay haha yeah I’ve had that same problem. Actually I had a nightmare where I showed my essays to a teacher to edit and they told me they were totally awful and I woke up thinking omg must change my essays NOW Thankfully I don’t think my real essays are as bad as my dream essays were… I can only hope.</p>
<p>Oh goodness! I had a similar nightmare the night before I got my SAT scores.
I’m with you on hoping that I’m just not good at assessing my own work.</p>
<p>Oh great, just remembered that my ACT scores should be arriving tomorrow… one more thing to worry about lol.</p>