How do you start off a personal statement?

What is an opening hook sentence?

A hook is an opening statement (which is usually the first sentence) in an essay that attempts to grab the reader's attention so that they want to read on. It can be done by using a few different types of hooks, which are a question, quote, statistic, or anecdote.

What are good hooks for personal statements?

Personal Statement Hooks… What Are They? The hook is a literary device at the beginning of an essay meant to grab the reader's attention and compel them to continue reading. A hook can be many things: a serious anecdote, a short autobiography, a funny story, a quote, etc.

What is the best starter for a personal statement?

Start with why you chose it, then try and summarise this in one or two sentences. Be original and refer to personal experiences as a way to draw attention. Avoid overused opening sentences, quotes and clichés like 'when I was young…' They want to know about you now, not your childhood or Shakespeare!

Should I say I in a personal statement?

Consider The "I" Problem: This is a personal statement; using the first person pronoun "I" is acceptable. Writers often feel rather self-conscious about using first person excessively, either because they are modest or because they have learned to avoid first and second person ("you") in any type of formal writing.

Should you talk about yourself in a personal statement?

Your personal statement should include a brief overview of who you are, your strengths and any work experience and/or education you've got.

How do you describe yourself in a personal statement?

Start with why you're the perfect fit for a place on your course. Mention the most important aspects of your relevant skills and experience early. Prove the points you've introduced – it's here you'd talk about your current and previous studies, your skills, and your work experience.

What is usually in a personal statement?

An effective personal statement will answer the following questions: Who am I? Who do I want to be? What kind of contribution do I want to make, and how?

How long does it take to write a personal statement?

It may take you a month or two to write your personal statement. And that's perfectly fine! Remember, you will need to distance yourself from it for a few days to get a fresh perspective. So start early and take your time!

How do you start a personal essay for college?

Come up with an anecdote that illustrates your essay's point or the experience you're describing. Make sure you also include plenty of specific, descriptive adjectives. The admissions officer will be thankful for your refreshingly creative college essay introduction.

Do you say thank you at the end of a personal statement?

Therefore, while it may seem polite and courteous to end by saying “I hope that I will be admitted to your university”, or “thank you for your consideration”, these sentences are too general and would not do justice to all the impressive aspects of your application you've mentioned in your personal statement.

How do you write a personal statement for college?

Show how you are already well along the path for success. Build a good case for your chosen path. Make clear what you want to study/do, why you would be an excellent student in this field, and how it will benefit you in the long run. Consider having fun and lightness in your personal statement.

What does a good personal statement look like?

Give examples of any related academic or work experience. Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you're interested in. Demonstrate who you are by listing any positions you've held, memberships of teams or societies, and interests and hobbies. Show consistency in your five UCAS ...

Can I start my personal statement with a quote?

Don't use a quote.

It can be tempting to use a quote that has inspired you when writing your personal statement. However, admissions officers generally won't appreciate this, and it will most likely result in eye rolls.

What words should you avoid in a personal statement?

What are statement starters?

By using phrases that encourage broad thinking, Statement Starters jump-start discussions toward solving the right problem in the best way. As their main objective, Statement Starters encourage restating problems as invitations for exploration.

How long is a personal statement?

Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550–1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper.

What is the attention grabbing first sentence?

The attention grabber, also known as a “hook”, is the first sentence that the reader will see, and its purpose is to grab the reader's attention. A few common attention grabbers are: - A short, meaningful quote that relates to your topic. - Think of a quote that interested you during your research.

What is a strong hook for a personal essay?

Story/Anecdote hook

The story must be direct and concise, and relate to the main topic quite directly. If your research turned up a wild example from a study that perfectly fits what you're writing about, leading with that anecdote might be the best way to open your essay.

What is a strong hook sentence?

A strong statement hook is a sentence that makes an assertive claim about your topic. It connects to the thesis statement and shows the importance of your essay or paper. A strong statement is a great technique because it doesn't matter if your reader agrees or disagrees with your statement.

What is a good opening sentence?

Establishing tone in your opening sentence

Your first sentence is a great place to establish what sort of a tone you'll take for the rest of the piece–it helps you start strong, and it gives your reader a great idea of what to expect in the coming pages.