ps评分标准-港大建议

Personal Statement Grading Criteria

Intermediate Writing ENGL110015

Fall 2007

Paragraph 1 – Introduction 16%

?Early Motivation 8

o Explains how you developed a serious interest in the field. This section should show that your interest runs deeper than idle curiosity or even amateur interest. If well-written, this section should make it obvious why you chose your major.

?Later Motivation 8

o Explains why you want to pursue a career in this field. Like early motivation, if this section is well-written, your career choice will be obvious to the reader.

Paragraphs 2 & 3 – Research/Fieldwork/Professional Experience 24% ?Demonstrates motivation 8 (per paragraph)

o Explains significance of the work 5

§Explain how the work is significant to you. Why is it worth doing? How is it meaningful? o Explains what is interesting about the work 3

§Is there anything enjoyable in the process? Have you solved interesting puzzles? Have you done interesting things?

?Demonstrates expertise/qualifications 4 (per paragraph)

o Goes into enough detail to show that you know what you are talking about. If the only evidence that you know anything about the field is a list of course names and professors, then that is problematic. Whether discussing your research or coursework, explain some aspect in sufficient detail to show that you know more than the course catalogue.

Paragraph 4 – Future Plans 12%

?Shows specific areas of interest 4

o For those on a purely academic track, this entire paragraph will consist of your specific research interests. These interests should be sufficiently advanced that one could not realistically pursue them as a hobby. Saying that you want to be a professor is unnecessary.

?Shows why this advanced degree is needed 4

o For tho se applying for a master’s program or a degree program that does not lead to a professorship, you will need to explain why you want to get this degree. What will you do after obtaining the degree?

?Shows long-term plans 2

o Those outside the purely academic track should also outline their long-term plans. Once you are established in your career, what will you do? In other words, let the department know that you intend to do great things.

Paragraph 5 – Conclusion 18%

?Explain why this school, this department.

o Shows how your research interests match the department (8)

§This is the best reason you can give for choosing this department. Make sure you state your

interests specifically enough to narrow it down to this department, but broad enough to cover several professors.

o Shows that you are a match for specific professors (more than one) (10)

§This is where you show that you have done your homework, and actually know what the professors actually do. Show that your research interests match theirs.

Grammar 10%

-1% per error (Grammar score cannot go below 0)

Spelling 10%

-1% per error (Spelling score cannot go below 0)

Usage 10%

-1% per incorrect usage (usage score cannot go below 0)

-0.5% per awkward usage (usage score cannot go below 0)