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What do you all think about this? Sometimes, I feel like a sentence just sounds to much better beginning with one of these words. I've had teachers who have said that it is incorrect and not to use it, and others who believe that you can totally use them at times. Would you recommend against doing this in a personal statement?

Thank you!

A good writer can break nearly any rule. The trick is knowing when to do it.

rinkrat19 wrote:A good writer can break nearly any rule. The trick is knowing when to do it.

TITCR.

From a college application: And, yes, I do know the cure for cancer. But, I'm not comfortable revealing it until after I am admitted. (Also a useful style for plea negotiations--just remember to change "admitted" to "released".)

CanadianWolf wrote:From a college application: And, yes, I do know the cure for cancer. But, I'm not comfortable revealing it until after I am admitted. (Also a useful style for plea negotiations--just remember to change "admitted" to "released".)

I agree with all of the above posters. Just avoid using the same conjunction to start more than one sentence in the same paragraph. Also, realize that by breaking this "rule," the rest of your
writing may be scrutinized more harshly. In other words, make sure EVERYONE who reads it knows it is a stylistic choice, not just poor writing skills.
Every applicant needs to decide if they want a PS that is "safe" or "risky."

B90 wrote:make sure EVERYONE who reads it knows it is a stylistic choice, not just poor writing skills.

+1

I am a really good writer (not being arrogant, just stating a fact) and I happen to use "and" and "but" at the beginning of my sentences quite frequently for effect. Usually if I have written something that flows pretty quickly and then want to drive home a point, I will break up the flow with "and" or "but" at the beginning of the next sentence. Most people don't use this technique well, however.

TripTrip wrote:

B90 wrote:make sure EVERYONE who reads it knows it is a stylistic choice, not just poor writing skills.

+1

+2

Also, if you do choose a "risky" PS, make sure you also write a less risky one. Send the risky one to reach schools and the other everywhere else.

fltanglab wrote:I am a really good writer (not being arrogant, just stating a fact) and I happen to use "and" and "but" at the beginning of my sentences quite frequently for effect. Usually if I have written something that flows pretty quickly and then want to drive home a point, I will break up the flow with "and" or "but" at the beginning of the next sentence. Most people don't use this technique well, however.

Are you sure you didn't mean to say that you are a totally good writer?

fltanglab wrote:I am a really good writer (not being arrogant, just stating a fact) and I happen to use "and" and "but" at the beginning of my sentences quite frequently for effect. Usually if I have written something that flows pretty quickly and then want to drive home a point, I will break up the flow with "and" or "but" at the beginning of the next sentence. Most people don't use this technique well, however.

Well, probably not as well as you.