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STAGE 6: The Run Through
Congratulations on completing your first full-length Common ApplicationⓇ essay draft! In STAGE 6, we will:
Review your first rehearsal essay draft
Identify strengths and areas of concern in your writing
Create a plan for revision
Take a look back
Some people may tell you to “never look back,” but that’s actually what writers WANT to do. We want to look back---in this case, at the first rehearsal draft you just completed.
Remember that your first rehearsal draft is a rough draft, and they call it ‘rough’ for a reason. It might be well over the 650 word limit, and some parts might be very unorganized. Maybe you have too many background details or accidentally drifted off into a different story. Perhaps you forgot to include transition words or wrote a repetitive conclusion because you didn’t know what else to say. These mishaps are perfectly normal and extremely helpful as we plan revisions for the second rehearsal draft.
In this stage, you will read your first rehearsal draft aloud to your essay coach. Yes, we know you might feel awkward, but there’s no judgment here! Reading your draft out loud is a great way to hear repetition, spot areas where you’re disorganized, and listen for the tone and style in your writing voice.
When you finish reading your essay, you’ll carefully “run through” each paragraph and make revision notes. The goal is to create a clear plan that will be your guide as you head into your second rehearsal draft.
Your next in-Meeting activity (with a coach!):
You will complete STAGE 6 together with an essay coach during a meeting, so there is nothing you need to complete just now! If you’d like to preview it in advance, visit your STAGE Essay Program Materials Google Drive folder and open your “Run Through Revisions” worksheet. If you haven’t already, you can go ahead and book a meeting using the button below:
The STAGE Program
RETURN TO STAGE HOMEPAGE