Writing a Personal Statement Assignment and Quiz 100%

One reason it is important to include a _______ in a personal statement is that it gives the writer a chance to reflect on the experiences discussed in the narrative.

conclusion

In a well-written personal statement, the writer's ______ will help the writer to convey tone, meaning, and theme.

word choice

Which sentence contains the best example of precise details? As I've gotten older, I've learned that I need to practice to see improvement. Although I lost the debate, I gained the crucial skills of patience and resilience. While it's true that life has its ups and downs, I try to learn from experience. Even though winning has its benefits, I also try to learn from losing.

Although I lost the debate, I gained the crucial skills of patience and resilience.

Why should an author use specific, precise language in a personal statement? It persuades readers, especially family members, to agree with the author's career choice. It shows readers that the author is capable of crafting an entertaining fictional story. It informs readers that the author has a well-developed and versatile vocabulary. It allows readers to understand how the author has grown and changed as a result of life experiences.

It allows readers to understand how the author has grown and changed as a result of life experiences.

In the body of a personal statement, the writer should include long sentences that provide lengthy musings on the topic. general statements about the writer's opinion of the topic. precise details about the writer's experience with the topic. commonplace adjectives that vaguely describe the topic.

precise details about the writer's experience with the topic.

Read the introduction to a personal statement. (1) Usually, when people talk about "rocky" relationships, it's with a frown, but mine has enriched my life. (2) I became fascinated with rocks when I was really young, and throughout my childhood you could usually find me with my pockets bulging from whatever stony treasures I'd scavenged that day. (3) When my science teacher taught us a unit on geology, I realized that my fascination could become an exciting career that could also help me make good money. (4) Obtaining an internship to work on the geological exhibit at the museum is an important step on my road to being a geologist. Why does the writer need to revise the personal statement? Sentence 1 should include the writer's first name. Sentence 2 should state what the essay prompt was. Sentence 3 should avoid mentioning money. Sentence 4 should avoid the extreme opinion.

Sentence 3 should avoid mentioning money.

I have never felt as inspired as I did that first day I walked into home and careers class. Mrs. Ramos had her food station prepared and ready to go. As she effortlessly demonstrated her skills, a syrupy, bittersweet chocolate aroma filled the air, and I knew from that moment on that I was born to be a pastry chef. What makes this a strong introduction for a personal statement? Check all that apply. The writer reflects on how it takes a lot to feel inspired. The writer mentions how his or her interest in this field was sparked. The writer states how a personal experience relates to a future goal. The writer reflects on a past educational experience. The writer elaborates on a love of chocolate.

The writer mentions how his or her interest in this field was sparked. The writer states how a personal experience relates to a future goal. The writer reflects on a past educational experience.

Cooking really is so much fun, and it makes me happy. Food is a part of so many events, both happy and sad, and it brings families together. Learning how to cook really changed my life. What is the best way for the writer to expand on this part of the personal statement? The writer should expand on why food is a part of so many events. The writer should talk about the types of food he or she likes to cook. The writer should expand on how learning to cook has changed his or her life. The writer should show how cooking has changed so many other people's lives as well.

The writer should expand on how learning to cook has changed his or her life.

Read the introduction to a personal statement. Usually, when people talk about "rocky" relationships, it's with a frown, but mine has enriched my life. I became fascinated with rocks when I was really young, and throughout my childhood you could usually find me with my pockets bulging from whatever stony treasures I'd scavenged that day. When my science teacher taught us a unit on geology, I realized that my fascination could become an exciting career that could also help me make good money. Obtaining an internship to work on the geological exhibit at the museum is an important step on my road to being a geologist. What makes the first sentence a strong opening for this introduction? The writer uses creativity and humor to engage the reader. The writer ponders childhood to stir up the reader's memories. The writer introduces the topic immediately to inform the reader. The writer complains about relationships to gain the reader's sympathy.

The writer uses creativity and humor to engage the reader.

Read the sentence from a personal statement. My trip to the car show got me thinking about my future. Which is the best way to revise and expand the sentence to relay the writer's experiences more precisely? I find it's helpful to think about my future and to allow things like my trip to the car show to help me figure it out. Sometimes I get inspiration from a range of sources, like the car show, which made me think about my future goals. When I took a trip to the cool car show, I saw a lot of sweet designs and engineering and that made think about my future. Visiting the car show made me realize that I can combine my interests in design and engineering rather than choosing just one.

Visiting the car show made me realize that I can combine my interests in design and engineering rather than choosing just one.

Cooking really is so much fun, and it makes me happy. Food is a part of so many events, both happy and sad, and it brings families together. Learning how to cook really changed my life. Why should the writer of this sample paragraph revise words such as fun, happy, and sad? Writers should avoid controversial emotions. Writers should avoid vague or nonspecific words. Writers should focus on their intended topic. Writers should avoid sharing personal opinions.

Writers should avoid vague or nonspecific words.

I have never felt as inspired as I did that first day I walked into home and careers class. Mrs. Ramos had her food station prepared and ready to go. As she effortlessly demonstrated her skills, a syrupy, bittersweet chocolate aroma filled the air, and I knew from that moment on that I was born to be a pastry chef. Read the sample introduction for a personal statement, and then answer the questions. What is the topic? What is the writer's point of view?

future career The writer was born to be a pastry chef.

Read the conclusion to a personal statement about Javed's summer as a lifeguard. (1) Overall, my time spent working as a lifeguard has changed my life and shaped my future. (2) Not only have I gained valuable physical skills, but I also have learned a lot about responsibility. (3) That knowledge has helped me hone my leadership skills. (4) I'm excited to use all that I've learned to help me succeed in a career with the Coast Guard. In which sentence does Javed restate the topic? sentence 1 sentence 2 sentence 3 sentence 4

sentence 1

Read the body paragraph from a personal statement. (1) Since I live in the Midwest, my fascination with the ocean might seem unusual. (2) I have my aunt to thank for sparking my interest in marine biology. (3) My family's annual visits to her home are always great. (4) We visit the local beaches to study shells, seaweed, and ocean dwellers like crabs, clams, and jellyfish. Which is the best sentence to revise to replace vague language? sentence 1 sentence 2 sentence 3 sentence 4

sentence 3

(1) Eventually, with steadfastness, patience, and hard work, I learned how to bake my very own beautifully risen chocolate cake. (2) But I learned more than just a baking skill, because I also learned a lot about myself. (3) I learned that through the challenges I face, I can discover what I am truly passionate about. (4) I am proud and excited to pursue my dream of becoming a pastry chef. Read the conclusion of the personal statement, and then answer the questions. Which sentences show the writer reflecting on and growing from an experience? When does the writer connect these experiences to the future goal?

sentences 2 and 3 in sentence 4

Even with Mrs. Ramos's guidance, though, the first time I baked a chocolate cake, it was less than successful. The top never rose, so I was stuck with a pancake-inspired chocolate lump. That experience, and baking in general, taught me that the little details matter. The difference between half a teaspoon and a whole teaspoon is everything in the baking world. Additionally, my first failed attempt taught me perseverance. Seeing Mrs. Ramos's perfectly sculptured, tasty work of art piqued my interest and curiosity, and I knew that with hard work, my desserts would get there someday, too. What does the writer hope to convey through the specific details in the passage? Check all that apply. that his or her skills have surpassed Mrs. Ramos's that he or she has learned a lot about baking through failure that failure inspires new types of cakes that he or she appreciates the value of hard work that some dreams are unattainable

that he or she has learned a lot about baking through failure that he or she appreciates the value of hard work

Read the conclusion to a personal statement about Javed's summer as a lifeguard. (1) Overall, my time spent working as a lifeguard has changed my life and shaped my future. (2) Not only have I gained valuable physical skills, but I also have learned a lot about responsibility. (3) That knowledge has helped me hone my leadership skills. (4) I'm excited to use all that I've learned to help me succeed in a career with the Coast Guard. Why does Javed include sentences 2 and 3? to show his next step to restate his purpose to clarify his overall topic to reflect on his experiences

to reflect on his experiences