Writing your personal story is something that you will do as part of an application or as a literary project. If it is a personal description for an application, you will need to provide information about your life that proves that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to perform certain tasks. A personal story, whether written for your own pleasure or for publication, will tell the story of your life, which will require a bit of research and a long time commitment. With a little preparation and skill in managing your time, you can write a consistent personal story that will impress the committee that receives your application or entertain your readers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Write a personal description for an application
Step 1. Determine what the audience will be
Depending on what you are requesting, the information you include in your personal statement will often differ significantly. To ensure that you include relevant information, you will need to know who you are writing to. You will need to consider whether your application will be read by a medical or law review board, or by a graduate committee. Is it an application for a scholarship or for a pre-professional internship? Considering who your audience will be will help you determine which stories in your life you should highlight.
For example, if you are applying for admission to medical school and a graduate program in English in a different location, it is a good idea to avoid focusing on your extensive medical knowledge in applying in English or on your remarkable skills. of writing in the application for the medical school. While the examination committee may be impressed that you have such diverse interests, they will also want to ensure that you have the knowledge required to be in the program
Step 2. Follow the prompts
Generally speaking, a request will come with directions that you should follow when writing your personal story. These indications usually include the length of the page or the size of the font. On the other hand, you can also include specific questions that the examination committee wants you to answer. If that's the case, be sure to answer these specific questions. It is important for the committee to see that you are able to follow directions.
- However, that does not mean that your description should be unoriginal or bland. Follow the prompts, but offer your readers something exciting or memorable that they can find out in your letter.
- Law and medical schools do not usually ask for a set personal description. On the other hand, business and graduate schools tend to ask specific questions. However, each request is different and includes its own directions, so you will need to make sure you follow them.
Step 3. Develop a main theme
Think generally about the story you are telling to the people who will read your application. What impression do you want to give them? If you want them to think that you are intelligent and capable, relate moments in your life in which you demonstrate your intelligence and ability. Determine what you want to express and stay that way throughout your essay.
Avoid going off on a tangent. Determine whether or not certain information fits the overall theme. If not, do not include it
Step 4. Write a consistent introduction
Depending on what you apply for, the examination committee will receive hundreds of applications per year. You want your application to stand out, so the best way to do that is to write a compelling introduction. The opening paragraph should grab the attention of your readers and not let it go. One method of doing this is to attract the reader with an interesting piece of information that relates to what you are requesting. Find what works best for you and what is appropriate for the request.
- Introduce yourself in a few words and then indicate the structure that the rest of your essay will have. Mention the points that will be covered later, but do not give information in advance.
- Avoid cliches like “My name is Steve and I want to join your show” or “Let me introduce myself…”.
Step 5. Highlight the relevant information
The body of the essay section is where you should detail your interests and experiences in the field. Discuss your academic background and any relevant classes you have taken. Make a list of any practical experience you've had, such as an internship, attending conferences, or previous jobs. All of this will show the examination committee that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to be successful in the field.
- For example, if you are applying to medical school, make a list of any experience you have as a volunteer at a specific clinic or preparatory courses that you found interesting.
- If you are applying to graduate school, be sure to mention the names of relevant researchers that you like or books that appeal to you.
Step 6. Write a consistent conclusion
Once you've highlighted your education and experience, end your essay with a concise and consistent conclusion. Tell the reader how all the events mentioned in the essay have had an impact on you and made you a strong candidate for what you are applying for.
Avoid cliches like, "Thank you for taking the time to read my application" or "I hope you will consider giving me the opportunity to attend your college."
Step 7. Review your document
Before submitting all of your writing, be sure to give it a final read. Make sure there are no spelling mistakes or misspelled words. Make sure you answer the questions asked and that you have followed all directions. A personal story full of mistakes will make you look careless and unprofessional.
You can also ask someone else to review your essay. It's often difficult for most people to check their own writing, so it's probably best to find someone to do it for you
Method 2 of 3: Create Your Own Personal Story
Step 1. Find important documents
Before you start writing your personal story, you should find all the documents you want to include. While your memory will be very helpful, documents from your past will give you even more information. Talk to your friends or family about any materials that may be useful to you, such as photographs, government documents, or family documents.
Some examples of important documents are your birth certificate, photographs or videos where you appear, correspondence (letters or emails) with other people or old posts on social networks
Step 2. Interview other people
Another great way to find information to include in your story is to talk to multiple people. Your family members will be valuable sources, since they are the ones who know you the longest. Make sure to record the interviews so you can use them later.
Many cell phones have the function of recording voice, which will be very helpful in your interviews
Step 3. Review your documents
Once you have conducted the interviews and gathered all the materials, you should begin to review them. Read the documents you have collected so that you can find information that you would like to include in your story. Listen to the recordings or read the transcripts of the interviews you conducted. Use a notebook or word processor to keep track of this information so you can use it later.
Create a spreadsheet that contains a list of all the fonts you would like to use. This will be useful to access them quickly and so that you do not lose them
Step 4. Decide how you will organize the story
Once you have all your documentation, you should start thinking about how you would like to organize your story. Decide which events you would like to highlight and which are the least important. Also, decide if you are going to write about your whole life or about a specific period. Deciding all of the above will help you get a better idea of how to organize your story.
- You can organize your story by topic to emphasize important interests or life lessons. For example, if you want to highlight your skills as an athlete, you should only mention the events in your life that are relevant to that topic.
- You can also organize your story chronologically to tell it sequentially. It starts with the most recent relevant events and continues with the events that follow in time.
- Finally, it will be up to you how you organize your story. Choose an appropriate style to tell it.
Step 5. Start writing
Once you have the structure of your story, start writing it. At first, you will find it intimidating; However, to make the writing process more manageable, write a little each day. If you focus on achieving small goals, you will eventually be able to finish your story.
- Set a stopwatch for 45 minutes and write until the time is up. Then, take a 15 minute break and start writing again once those 15 minutes are up. Repeat this process as long as you feel fresh and engaged with your writing.
- Find the writing schedule that works best for you.
Step 6. Edit your story
Once you've finished writing your story, you need to edit it. Read it at first to correct any misspellings in your writing. After you've taken a look at it, find someone to edit it later. It can be anyone you trust to do rigorous editing work. If the story contains substantial details, you should also consider that it is a person who will feel comfortable reading the story. While you don't have to accept all edits, it is important that you consider them.
If you are publishing your personal story, you must work with an editor to get your manuscript ready for publication. In this case, the editor's comments on your manuscript must be followed
Method 3 of 3: Develop Good Writing Habits
Step 1. Brainstorm and write freely
Before you start writing your personal story, think about the things you would like to address in it. Discuss these ideas with a friend or family member. You can also write them freely so that you can better convey these ideas on paper. Just sit back and start writing about yourself. There are no limits when it comes to brainstorming and free writing. Just get creative and explore various structure and theme options.
A journal will be useful for free writing, as it will allow you to jot down ideas if you have already started writing your story
Step 2. Organize your materials
Once you're done brainstorming, gather all the supplies you'll need. This includes reference letters or courses for your personal description, or your background in case you want to write a longer personal story. Since you are likely to refer to them on a regular basis, make sure you have them on hand during your writing process.
Have a copy of your documents on a digital spreadsheet for immediate reference. You can also organize them in folders if this is more convenient for you
Step 3. Create a summary or timeline
Before starting the writing process, create a summary or timeline of your story. A summary will be more useful for a personal writing and a timeline will be more useful for your personal story. Make sure to highlight any important events or relevant information. Think of this activity as a brainstorming exercise to stimulate your creativity only, in this case, it will help you organize your project better.
Share your summary or timeline with someone who will give you a good review
Step 4. Establish a schedule
If you have a specific deadline by which you must finish your writing, it is important that you organize yourself to reach that deadline. The best way to do this is to create a schedule and stick to it. Set aside a little of your time each day to write. This way, you will meet your deadline and stay motivated.
Step 5. Find a place where you feel creative and motivated to write
The environment will have a significant impact on your ability to write. Make sure you find a place where you can focus on your work. Find an environment that is quiet, secluded, and inspires you to be more creative. [