Choosing the right place to start is often the most difficult. So I will now try to offer some guidelines.

• Your beginning needs to intrigue the reader - persuading readers that they simply must know what happens next and therefore, must carry on reading.
• Open with a dialogue - always a useful ploy with any kind of opening personal statement. For instance, you could make a statement that will gain the readers attention. Or open with a line on the description of a person or place in connection with your subject area. I have below chosen a few authors who have captured the readers attention in their writings, which may help you when starting to write your personal statement beginning.

" Funny things, my knees. Sort of fair weather friends. But the time when I get up in front of an audience and the knees were on strike, they quiver with fear and mutter oh no."

• This introduction above captures the readers attention and sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph. It is amusing yet also funny. Instantly, we are dragged into the second paragraph, almost whether we wish to or not.
• If you still need some inspiration close your eyes and take yourself back to when you was first interested in your subject area. Why? Picture the scene in your mind, then write a powerful opening paragraph.