The Form & Style
Introduction to Form & Style
Form and style are abstract categories that contain a great
many compositional processes.
These processes occur at every level of your personal
statement. Every sentence, paragraph, and idea contributes
to the expression of form.
This portion of the presentation will focus on important
elements of form and style to help you construct an effective
personal statement.
Introduction Construction
The introduction of your personal statement needs to accomplish
two aims.
First, you need to engage the reader with a hook of some kind. A
short anecdote or expression of your interest in the field should
accomplish this objective.
Second, you need to express why you are a strong candidate. This
is essentially your “thesis.” What unique elements do you bring to
the table? Your thesis crystalizes these elements within a sentence
or a couple of sentences.
Conceptualizing the “I”
Utilizing the first person, “I,” is a rather obvious feature of personal
statements, but the deployment of this pronoun requires some
parameters.
Most notable, “I” should be an agent in your paper. Therefore, when you
utilize “I,” it should be an active manner.
Reduce utilizations of “I believe,” “I think,” and “I know” statements.
Oftentimes, these can be eliminated from the beginning of sentences,
and you have a more precise sentence as a result.
Since “I” will frequently be the subject of your sentences, a common
stylistic error is to start too many sentences with “I.” Try to vary this
construction whenever possible by combining sentences and using
introductory phrases.
Importance of Concision
Being concise is of great significance when composing personal
statements. Again, this occurs at multiple levels.
Concision is the product of authorial choices. At a larger level, being
concise means choosing ahead of time what you are going to include in
your personal statement by crafting an outline.
Concision also occurs at the sentence level. Sentences are a form of
currency in a personal statement in that you are going to be selective in
how many sentences you allot to communicate a particular idea.
Obviously, you will want to eliminate redundancy when possible.
Within individual sentences, see where you can eliminate words to be
more direct and clear.
Clarity & Lucidity
Being clear and lucid is also of great importance when
composing a personal statement.
Ensuring that nearly every paragraph has a topic sentence
and follows a clear progression will help with clarity.
Each paragraph essentially serves as a mini-personal
statement. It should possess a sense of cohesion and closure
while possessing a clear point within the larger document.
Utilization of Examples
Examples are the lifeblood of your personal statement. While describing
your experiences and accomplishments serves as a framing device, your
utilization of examples is what will make your personal statement
personal.
Choose these examples wisely. Also, be concise when communicating
these examples to your reader.
Your best examples should follow this three stage progression:
Situation—describe the actual situation for the reader.
Participation—what was your contribution to the experience?
Result/Reflection—reflect on the significance/importance of the experience.
The Boundary between Personal & Professional
Perhaps the most challenging element within the personal
statement is walking the fine line between the personal and the
professional.
The personal elements of the document will come from your use
of examples, your knowledge of your audience, and the passion
for the profession and the opportunity before you.
The professional elements of the document will come from how
these personal elements are framed and communicated. Using a
formal, concise style will demonstrate a mastery of professional
discourse.
Sentence Particularities
Vary your sentence structures when possible. Concise, simple sentences
will compose the majority of your document, but interspersing
compound sentences or complex sentences is necessary. Try to not craft
overlong sentences.
Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. Consider the situation when using
them.
Avoid too many lists within your paper. Sometimes, there is a tendency
to want to cram as much content as possible within a paragraph or
sentence, but again, you are being selective in your content here.
There should be no need to ask questions (rhetorical or otherwise) in
your personal statement.
Transitions for Readability
Transitions are words and phrases that assist with the cohesion of
paragraphs.
You are primarily going to use transitions of addition, contrast, and
example.
Transitions of additions: In addition, additionally, moreover,
furthermore.
Transitions of contrast: however, conversely, in contrast, on the other
hand
Transitions of example: for example, for instance, as a result
Do not overuse the same transition. Additionally, be mindful regarding
how you use transitions as there are situational nuances among them.
Conclusion to Personal Statement
The conclusion of your personal statement is your final
opportunity to engage the reader.
Once more, you want to reiterate why you are strong candidate,
but not necessarily in the exact wording of your introduction.
Thanking your readers for their consideration and expressing
excitement regarding working a particular institution are also
good things to include.
Editing and Proofreading Questions
When composing a high-stakes document like a personal
statement, editing and proofreading are crucial processes.
Reading the document aloud is a great strategy for catching those
small sentence-level errors. Additionally, reviewing with the last
paragraph first enables greater attention to grammatical errors.
You should also be critiquing the construction of your sentences.
Are additional/fewer sentences needed to make your point? Is
your example strongly positioned? Do you need a transition?
Conclusion
Form and style are rather nebulous concepts that entail a
great many writing processes.
At every level of composition, form and style manifest, so
take note of the various levels (essay, paragraph, sentence,
etc.).
While the personal statement is, in essence, a personal
document, you are not alone in its composition. The
Academic Writing Center can assist you!
The Academic Writing Center
Located in Langsam Library 401 N, the AWC can review drafts of your
personal statements, providing feedback on form, style, and
development of ideas.
Writing consultants are available during the summer (our hours are
Monday-Thursday, 11am-5pm). These consultants are well-versed in
assisting students with documents of this nature.
You can schedule an appointment online at uc.edu/awc or by phone at
513-556-3912.
If you cannot make it in for an appointment, we do have online feedback
options available (more info on our website).
