PS Tip 73 : Read each sentence in isolation

As a general rule, each sentence in your personal statement should make sense in isolation. There are exceptions to this; for instance, you’ll notice that I often use punctuation to link two sentences, just like I have here.

The first stage of editing is to read each sentence in isolation, and try to locate any potential issues. Typos, spelling mistakes, structural issues… Don’t worry if you’ve made lots of mistakes, most people do – even professional writers. The important thing is that you pick up on them, and make the necessary changes.

This does take time, but bear in mind that whilst you may get away with the odd mistake, too many in one statement will probably result in your application being unsuccessful – Particularly if you’re applying to universities, or for jobs where good communication skills are essential.

<< Tip 72 Read each word in isolation