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Watch Dean Curtis discuss Education: Catch the Dream's motivational theories!

Our model is based on a motivation formula called Event + Language = Motivation. Kenneth Burke called it the "Grammar of Motives." But it’s the same concept - teach people how to use their language (internal and external) to overcome obstacles and find the resources to catch their dream.

The Event

The Event is something that doesn't change, or the part we have no control over. It could be our situation; first-generation student. Or it could be our ethnicity; Latino or African American. It might even be something in the past; our last test score. Whatever it is, the Event is the part we cannot change.

The Language

The Language is the part we can change. It is the one thing we have control over. Language is how we describe that Event as it relates to college. If we can surround the Event with positive and affirming Language, then the Motivation to get to college will be much more powerful.

Motivation

Motivation is the result. It is how hard we will work to get to college.

Putting It All Together

College going Language is shaped by 4 groups: Parents, Friends, Professionals and the self talk of the Student. If we can change the Language about college in these 4 groups, the Motivation to get there increases dramatically. Influencing the Language is the main way we insprire the students to believe they can go to college. Once they have belief and hope, they will seek out the resources to make it happen.

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