Writing a personal history is usually done as part of a registration application or as an attempt to write a work. When writing your application, in the personal statement section, you must provide information about past events that prove that you have the knowledge and experience needed to perform a particular task. A personal history, written for personal enjoyment or for publication, will tell the story of your life and requires far greater research and commitment. With some preparation and a little good time management, you can write a great personal history that will impress the admissions/scholarship committee or entertain readers.
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Method 1 of 3: Writing Personal Statement for Registration Application
Step 1. Decide who will read
The information you include in your personal statement will vary, often even significantly, depending on who you are submitting the application to. You should know who will receive applications to ensure you cover the relevant subjects. You should consider whether the application will be read by the review board of a medical or law school, or a graduation committee. Are you writing an application for a scholarship application or internship? Thinking about who will read your app will help decide what personal history to highlight.
For example, if you are submitting applications for medical school and graduate English programs elsewhere, you should not waste time highlighting medical knowledge in an application for an English program or highlighting outstanding writing skills in an application for medical school. While the selection committee will be impressed to see you have very different interests, they will also want to make sure you have the knowledge necessary to enter the program
Step 2. Follow the guide
Usually the app will provide a guide to follow when writing a personal history. These guidelines usually cover things like page length and font size. In addition, this guide may contain specific questions whose answers will be assessed by the selection committee. If there are specific questions that you need to answer, be sure to answer them in full. It is important for the selection committee to see that you are able to follow the instructions.
- However, don't assume that your statement has to sound cliché or bland. Follow the guidelines, but provide readers with something interesting or impressive so they can get something out of your app.
- Generally, medical or law schools require a more open personal statement. Meanwhile, business schools and graduate programs tend to ask specific questions. Please keep in mind that each application is different and has its own guide. So make sure you follow it.
Step 3. Develop the theme
Think about the whole story that you are going to tell the people who will read the app. What impression do you want to make to the readers of the application? If you want them to think you are intelligent and capable, tell them about moments in life that demonstrated your intelligence and skills. Decide what you want to say and stick to it throughout the essay.
Avoid deviating from the theme. Consider whether a particular topic fits into the overall theme or not. If it doesn't match, you shouldn't include it
Step 4. Write an attention grabbing introduction
The selection committee may receive hundreds of applications each year if you choose a college that is in high demand. You have to make your app stand out, and the best way to do that is to write a compelling introduction. The first paragraph should be able to grab the reader's attention and keep him reading. One way to grab the reader's attention is to present interesting bits and pieces about yourself that relate to the major you are interested in. Look for what suits you and deserves to be written in the application.
- Introduce yourself briefly and then create an outline that can serve as a guide for writing the entire essay. Bring up things you'll talk about later, but don't divulge everything.
- Avoid clichés like “my name is Sony and I am interested in joining your program” or “Allow me to introduce myself…”
Step 5. Highlight relevant information
You can describe your interests and experience in the field in detail in the middle of the essay. Write about your educational background and the subjects you have taken related to the program. List any experiences you have, such as internships, conferences or previous jobs. These things will make the selector believe that you have the knowledge and experience needed to be successful in the field.
- For example, if you are applying to medical school, make a list of all relevant experiences such as volunteering at a clinic or a preparatory program for medical school that you found most interesting.
- If you are applying for a postgraduate program, be sure to describe an area of study that you are passionate about or books that you find particularly interesting.
Step 6. Draw sharp conclusions
After highlighting all the important education and experience, end the essay with a sharp, but brief conclusion. Tell the reader how all of the events mentioned in the essay collectively made an impact and made you a strong candidate for the program you are interested in.
Avoid clichés like “thank you for taking the time to read my application” or “I really hope you will give me the opportunity to join your school.”
Step 7. Do a recheck
Before submitting a registration application, make sure you read it one last time. Check for spelling errors or typos. Make sure you answer questions completely and adhere to the guidelines set out. A personal statement filled with errors will give the impression that you are uncaring and unprofessional.
You can also ask someone else to check your essay. For most people it is often difficult to adequately examine their own writing. So asking someone to help you read the personal statement might do better
Method 2 of 3: Creating Your Own Personal History
Step 1. Find important documents
Before you start writing your personal history, it's a good idea to do your research and find all the documents you'll need. While your memory will provide much of the writing material, documents from your past may provide further information or enlightenment. Ask a friend or family member about other writing material that might be useful, such as pictures, government documents, or family documents.
Some examples of important documents include birth certificates, photos or videos about you, correspondence (letters and emails) with other people, and old posts on social media
Step 2. Interview people
Talking to various people you know can also be a great way to get information that you can include in your personal history. Family members can be invaluable references as they get to know you longer. Don't forget to record the interview for review later.
Many cell phones have a voice recorder feature that can help you save your interview results
Step 3. Review your document
After conducting the interview and gathering all the written material, you should review it again. Read through all the documents that have been collected for important information that you want to include in history. Listen to the tape or read a transcript of your interview. You can use a notebook or word processing application to store information for later use.
Try creating a worksheet that lists all the references that you want to use. These worksheets allow you to quickly access information and keep it from being lost
Step 4. Decide how you will structure your personal history
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, you can start thinking about how you will structure this personal history. Decide which events you want to highlight and which are considered less important. Do you want to tell about your whole life or just a certain period. The answers to these questions will help you get an idea of how to structure your life story.
- You can structure your life story by theme to emphasize important things or life lessons. For example, if you want to highlight your skills as an athlete, you might only need to talk about events that are relevant to the topic.
- You can also write personal histories in chronological order to tell sequential stories. Start with the earliest relevant event followed by other events that occurred after that.
- In the end, the choice is yours. It's up to how you want to structure the story. Find the style you are most comfortable with and tell your story.
Step 5. Start writing
Once you've established a structure for your story, you can start writing. At first, this may seem scary. To get around the process of writing a personal history more easily complete, try to write every day even a little. If you focus on hitting small targets, over time the whole story will be completed successfully.
- Set a timer for 45 minutes and write until the time runs out. Then, take a 15-minute break and start writing again after the break is over. Repeat this process as long as the ideas are fresh and you feel excited to write.
- Find a writing schedule that is most comfortable for you.
Step 6. Edit your story
When you've finished writing the entire story, you'll need to edit it. First, read the article itself to correct typos and other typos. Once you've reviewed it, find someone else to edit it further. You can turn to anyone you can trust and have editing skills for. If the story contains sensitive information, find someone you don't feel uncomfortable reading. You don't have to approve the edits, but it's important to consider them.
If you intend to publish a personal history that has already been written, we recommend that you work closely with the editor to make sure the manuscript is ready for publication. In this case, the editor's comments must often be applied in the manuscript
Method 3 of 3: Developing Good Writing Habits
Step 1. Brainstorm and write down whatever comes to mind
Before you start writing, think about what you want to tell the story of your life. Try to discuss these ideas with friends or family members. You can also write down these ideas freely to develop them on paper. Sit down and start writing about yourself. There is no limit to brainstorming and free writing. You only need to express your creativity as widely as possible and explore various options in the preparation of stories and themes.
Journals can be a good tool for free writing. Journals allow you to jot down ideas while you're on the move
Step 2. Arrange the writing material
When you have finished brainstorming, collect any writing material that may be needed. These include letters of reference or grades you get for a personal statement, or historical documents if you want to write a larger-scale personal history. Since you will have to look for information from this material frequently, make sure you can access it easily during the writing process.
Save the document in a digital worksheet for quick-access reference. You can also save them in a folder if you feel more comfortable
Step 3. Create an outline or timeline
Before starting the writing process, create an outline or timeline for your story. Outlines may be more useful for personal narratives and timelines for personal histories. Make sure you highlight important events or relevant information. Think about activities like brainstorming exercises that can spur creativity, unless you're trying to put a greater emphasis on structure in this project.
Consider sharing a story outline or timeline with others you believe will provide good feedback
Step 4. Make a schedule
If you have to finish writing by a set deadline, it's important that you meet that deadline. The best way to do this is to create a schedule and stick to it. Take time each day to write. This will help you meet your deadlines and stay energized.
Step 5. Find a place that can spur creativity and motivate you to write
Where you write can have a big impact on your writing skills. Make sure you find a place where you can focus and concentrate on your work. Find a quiet, secluded place where you can come up with creative ideas.
