Personal Statement WritingFrom blank page to polished draft

Why this matters

The personal statement workshop. Year 12s learn structure (course, evidence, super-curricular, fit), the four classic openers to avoid, and the iteration discipline. By the end of the module they have a 4000-character first draft.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson

I can structure a personal statement using the 4-paragraph frame

I can show super-curricular evidence for my course interest

I can iterate a draft using peer + adviser feedback

ActivityActivity 1: Structure walkthrough

On your own20 min

The 4-paragraph frame: course, academic evidence, super-curricular, fit. Four-bad-openers list.

ActivityActivity 2: Live drafting

On your own30 min

30-min sustained writing. No phones, no internet. Just write.

ActivityActivity 3: Peer review round 1

In groups30 min

Pair-up. Read each other's. Give 3 honest pieces of feedback. Iterate.

Success criteria

How we'll know it worked

4000-character first draft saved in Chapter

Two rounds of peer review completed

Chapter Student Game

Action

Save your personal statement first draft to Chapter for review

Skills: Speaking, Creativity

Save your first draft personal statement to Chapter. You'll iterate at least three times.

What's next

Pair with adviser drop-in slots. Don't accept first drafts as final - iteration is the lesson.