Personal Statement - English Literature 18

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Edgar Allan Poe said, “With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion”; this mirrors my own feelings towards, not only poetry, but Literature as a whole. Studying English Language and Literature is invaluable. The knowledge that can be gained is forever expanding with new, interesting thoughts and theories; something that sparks my own interest and, indeed, passion, which is why I am keen to study English at a higher level.

From a young age my interest in Literature was clear, I enjoyed many books, especially those by children's author, Roald Dahl. His works taught me how powerful the English language is; his use of language made the stories vivid. It wasn’t until I began my GCSEs, however, that I really engaged in the study of English. While writing two essays for English Language, a satire styled essay and a film review, I found that I enjoyed more than just reading. I could be more creative and use different styles of writing dependent on my audience – the latter being much more sophisticated and formal.

My interest in Literature increased also as I engaged in higher levels of analysis into works such as ‘Of Mice and Men’. Studying this novel not only showed me the importance of symbolism – such as how cutting off light can mean cutting off hope; but also the impact that social historical context has upon a text. Setting it at the time of The Great Depression, considerably aided the telling of the story, explaining the lifestyle of the protagonists, whilst also exploring key themes such as The American Dream. Learning about the context helped me understand the novel on a higher level, beyond the words on the page.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I enjoy studying English Literature at A-Level; it has allowed me to expand my writing skills to a more sophisticated level, as well as deepening my understanding of different genres, texts and historical backgrounds. I particularly enjoyed studying Fitzgerald’s, ‘The Great Gatsby’ and works by Keats, due to my interest in the portrayal of women in literature. Fitzgerald’s character, Daisy, is seen as innocent and foolish, while Keats’ La Belle Dame is seen as a cruel woman stealing a man’s life. I enjoy the way that the portrayal of women differs depending on interpretation, and it’s something that I want to study at a higher level.

As well as reading for my studies, I also read a large amount of texts for pleasure, ranging from classics such as ‘Jane Eyre’, to modern novels by American author, John Green – some of whose work, I feel, has been greatly under-appreciated. With his ability to convey the thoughts and feelings of the younger generation with such ease and his observations on taboo subjects such as mental health, he is definitely a writer worth studying.

Seeing plays being performed has been very helpful to my studies and appreciation of this side of literature. Watching ‘An Inspector Calls’ contributed greatly towards my understanding of the play and of plays in general. It’s important to see plays as well as reading them; they were made to be seen. This also applies to poems, for example, ‘The Workshop’ by Billy Collins. This piece is highly sarcastic; however by just reading it, this can be missed. Collins’ facial expressions and tone of voice easily puts this across.

I have also been able to deepen my understanding of texts through my subscription to ‘Emag’. The articles on this website have enabled me to learn more about different approaches and views on pieces of literature and changes in the English language over time, including works by Keats, which helped me expand my knowledge of my exam texts.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

English, for me, has never been just a subject to study, but a passionate interest, that I have followed through with several months’ work experience in a school English department. It is constantly on my mind, whether I am reading a good book or writing in my diary. The idea of studying English at a higher level is one that enthralls me and I look forward to a great deal.

Universities applied to:

• Oxford University (English Language and Literature)
• University of Exeter (English Literature)
• University of York (English in Education)
• Swansea University (English Literature)
• University of Bedfordshire (English Literature)

Grades achieved:

• English Literature - A
• Business Studies - B
• Photography - C

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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