Module Content

Welcome to Montage Structure.

What is a montage, anyway?

A montage is a series of seemingly unrelated events or moments that, put together, combine to create a coherent, connected story. These unrelated elements need to be connected by a common thematic thread. Some examples from Pixar movies include:

• Tarzan: Growing up

• Incredibles 2: Bob Gets Back into Shape

• Inside Out: Core Memories

Notice that each of these montages has a theme that connects all the images: friendship, getting into shape, and memories.

What's the purpose of a montage essay?

Colleges want to know what skills/qualities/values/interests you'll contribute to their campus, and Montage Structure can help you show several different sides of yourself ... by connecting them with a common theme. Sometimes that theme is what students call their essay topic, as in: "I wrote my essay about why I want to be a doctor," or "I wrote my essay on football." Both of these things are themes. They are also essay topics. Pretty common ones, but hey, topics nonetheless.

Given this, there are really just two things you need for a great montage personal statement:

1. A variety of skills/qualities/values/interests you want to show (i.e., some stuff to write about)

2. A thematic thread that connects them all (i.e., something to connect all the stuff)

The Beads and Thread Metaphor

Have you ever threaded an assortment of beads together to make a bracelet? Or had someone make one for you? Imagine all the skills/qualities/values/interests you want to show colleges are your "beads."

The theme (or topic) of your essay is the "thread" that connects your beads.

Together, they make up the bracelet of your essay.

How does this help you write your essay?

Before we get to that, I want to take you through a couple of exercises that'll help you generate some content (i.e., "beads") for your essay.

Then I'll show you how these beads can help you write an essay.

While these exercises should take you under 10 minutes, here's ...

A Note on Going Fast vs. Going Slow

The time estimates I've attached to the various exercises and action items can be a useful guideline, but please treat them as only that. I'm a huge fan of taking time to explore, and I've found that many students get a lot out of devoting time to this process, both in their writing, and in their self-discovery. Sometimes, it's great to go fast (I love efficiency!), but sometimes, it can be really important to slow down—sometimes, in fact, that can create the space for great insights.

So if an exercise takes you 15 minutes, that's great. If it takes you 45 minutes or longer, that's fine too.