2.4 - HOW TO BRAINSTORM A MONTAGE ESSAY

THE MONTAGE ESSAY

The “Laptop Stickers” essay you read employs Montage Structure. If you answered “no” to either feeling like you have faced challenges or wanting to write about them, this structure will likely work well for you.

And by the way, isn’t it nice to know that you don’t have to have experienced extraordinary challenges to write a great college essay? (See essay below.) 

To learn how to develop the content for a montage, we’ll work through a simple but effective exercise.

STEP 1: Pick five linked things in your life.

By “linked,” I mean five things that have a thematic connection—maybe five pairs of shoes that connect to different experiences that demonstrate your values and aspects of who you are. Or five mountain peaks. Five families you’ve learned from. Five photographs you took. Five decisions you’ve made. Five things you’ve collected. Five entries in your Happiness Spreadsheet. You can start by exploring your Essence Objects exercise.

STEP 2: Outline how each of the five could connect to different experiences that show different values.

For example, maybe there are five different places or experiences that feel like “Home” to you. Connect each home to different values from your Values Exercise. Maybe one home links to experiences that connect to culture and meticulousness, another connects to science and curiosity, another connects to personal growth...

And to clarify, you may not end up with all five things in your final draft. Or conversely, maybe you end up with more than five (like eight laptop stickers). But for now, aim for five, and do some exploring.

(Note: You can also use the 5 Things Exercise to brainstorm content if you’re finding yourself (or your students) needing more structure.)

Here are some...

TIPS FOR FINDING A GOOD THEMATIC THREAD

1. Visual threads are easier to write. Storytelling is a visual medium. Use a lens that will help conjure images in the reader’s mind. I’ve had too many students try to write “soundtrack” or “mix-tape” essays in which their favorite songs provide the soundtrack for their lives. The problem with writing this type of essay, however, is that the reader can’t hear the music (and often doesn’t know or have the same emotional connection to the songs referenced). So you can use more abstract things (like Waves, or Home), but those will often take more time to write well.

2. Write what you know. Know how to cook? Use food. Play chess? Use that! Use your Essence Objects list as a starting point for ideas. 

3. Look for thematic threads that are “elastic”—that allow you to connect a bunch of sides of yourself. Use a metaphor, in other words, that will allow you to discuss several different aspects of who you are.