<p>My son has to write a "personal statement" for a science program. The directions say Begin your statement by listing three topics ..... Choose one of these topics and explain in essay format why you think .....
Essay will be graded on originality, creativity, and clarity. </p>
<p>My question is do they really want the beginning to be a list of the three topics? My son asked me and I said no. But now I'm rethinking that answer. Right now his essay starts with a short paragraph discussing a thing that represents fhis three topics. The second paragraph is what those three topics are, with about 2-3 sentences for each topic. The third paragraph starts his discussion about the one topic he chose. </p>
<p>I can't help but think he isn't following the directions. But I also feel like it's bad to start with "My three topics are x, y, z" if they say they are judging on originality and creativity.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>