Write a personal statement to submit with your applications to university programs in social work. Describe your background, life experiences, goals and motivations for applying to study social work.
Sample Essay with Corrections
Expert Feedback
The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the applicant's motivations and experiences related to social work, which is a key strength. The structure is generally logical, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, there are critical areas for improvement, particularly in grammatical accuracy and vocabulary usage. The essay contained several grammatical errors and instances of repetition, which detracted from the overall quality. Structural changes made include correcting grammatical errors, improving transitions between paragraphs, and enhancing the clarity of ideas. For instance, the addition of 'Furthermore' and 'Moreover' helps to link ideas more effectively. Further improvements that could be implemented include providing more specific examples of how the volunteer experience shaped particular skills or insights, as well as using a wider range of vocabulary to avoid repetition. The tone of the essay is appropriate for an application, conveying enthusiasm and commitment to the field of social work.
Detailed Scores
What this means:
The essay generally flows well, with a logical progression of ideas. However, some transitions between sentences and paragraphs could be improved for better clarity. For example, using cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' or 'Moreover' could help link ideas more effectively. The overall organization could be enhanced by clearly separating different sections of the statement.
How to improve:
- Use a clear paragraph structure
- Connect ideas with appropriate linking words
- Maintain logical progression
- Use referencing effectively
What this means:
The essay contains several grammatical errors, such as incorrect verb forms ('i want study' should be 'I want to study') and issues with subject-verb agreement ('some people facing' should be 'some people are facing'). While the meaning is generally clear, these errors detract from the overall quality. Improving grammatical accuracy and using a wider range of sentence structures would enhance the writing.
How to improve:
- Use complex sentence structures
- Maintain grammatical accuracy
- Use a variety of sentence patterns
- Check for common grammar errors
What this means:
The vocabulary used is appropriate for the context, but there are instances of repetition and some inaccuracies, such as 'universitys' instead of 'universities' and 'psychologys' instead of 'psychology'. More varied and sophisticated vocabulary could elevate the writing. For example, instead of 'make a difference', phrases like 'effect positive change' could be used.
How to improve:
- Use a wider range of vocabulary
- Demonstrate awareness of collocations
- Avoid word repetition
- Use more sophisticated vocabulary accurately
What this means:
The essay addresses the prompt by discussing the applicant's background, experiences, and motivations for studying social work. However, it could benefit from more specific examples and a clearer structure. For instance, elaborating on how the volunteer experience shaped specific skills or insights would strengthen the argument. Additionally, a more formal tone would enhance the overall effectiveness.
How to improve:
- Address all parts of the task fully
- Support ideas with specific examples
- Develop each point thoroughly
- Stay relevant to the topic
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