Writing a Persuasive Personal Statement: A Comprehensive Guide, Exercises of History

Download Writing a Persuasive Personal Statement: A Comprehensive Guide and more Exercises History in PDF only on Docsity! How to Write a Personal Statement Introducing…. YOU The Personal Statement serves as a reflection of your personality and intellect. This is your opportunity to “sell” yourself. Two types of Personal Statements: 1. General, comprehensive Personal Statement – wide open as to what you write. 2. Personal Statements in response to specific questions. Questions to ask yourself: • Why are you special? • Why are you interested in the scholarship? Provide compelling reasons. • What details in your life, people or events that have influenced you in your goals will set you apart? • What leadership or management skills have you learned through working/school? • What are your career goals? • Gaps? Discrepancies in your academic record that need explaining? • Overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships? • What personal characteristics do you possess that would enhance your prospects for success? Can you demonstrate or document these characteristics? (Integrity, compassion, persistence…etc) • What skills do you possess? Leadership, communicative, analytical, etc. • Why makes you a strong and deserving recipient of this scholarship? Tell a story: • Concentrate on your opening paragraph. • Tell who you are. • Review your personal history. • Be selective. • Try to decide what you would say in person if you only had 5 minutes to speak to the committee. Chief mistakes: • WRITING TOO SOON: You should THINK about what you want to say for several weeks before putting pen to paper. • Always make sure you address the specific questions posed in the application. • Not analyzing yourself & your objectives beforehand. Composing “generic” piece. • Not using spell check. • Not having many editors. • Narrating your own resume without reflection or evaluation. • Writing “what the ‘committee’ wants to hear.” • Self-glorification. • Dishonesty.