My infatuation with literature probably stems from the fact that I am fascinated by people.

Gaining access into others beliefs, ideas and points of view has to be, in my opinion, the most enjoyable and enriching part of reading literature. As a child I was constantly reading, but most of all I enjoyed reading aloud with my mother. I think it was then that I was introduced to the concept of sharing in literature; being able to discuss and debate the writers ideas, and the responses and feelings induced by a book. I became conscious of the power of words to inform people and shape their opinions, a discovery that still excites me. As well as reading widely I also feel comfortable expressing my own opinions, and the School Debating Society has assisted me in the art of structured debate. Writing articles for the local town newspaper and the school magazine has been an invaluable experience of writing for an audience. I enjoy literature written from challenging and alternative perspectives that force the reader to consider a new viewpoint or idea. Most recently I read The Old Man and The Sea, by Hemingway. I found his sparse, charged style incredibly stimulating; how understatement can make the reader feel more emotion, although sentimentality is not visible in the actual words. I found the fact that this style so well reflected Hemingway as a person made the message of the book far more genuine, a concept that has influenced my own writing. As a lively and sociable person, I enjoy filling my time as much as possible, and strive to partake and achieve with enthusiasm. I am passionate about music and have achieved grade 6 on the saxophone, grade 7 on the piano and also play the flute. Although it is challenging, it is also satisfying and remarkably therapeutic as an escape from academic work. I also love the team-working aspect of making music with others, and am an energetic member of the School Choir, the Concert Band and the Jazz Band. I would love to continue this by joining a University ensemble. Taking part in numerous concerts has increased my confidence in front of an audience, and I am very excited about performing in the school production of Les Miserables in February. Positions as Senior Prefect at both my secondary school and my current school, and as mentor to the schools foreign students has helped to realise the importance of communication, understanding and trust within a community. I also valued representing my secondary school in netball, hockey, basketball and tennis, although I have not had time to pursue these in my A-level years. Recently, however, I have developed an interest in gardening, and now help to run the schools Grow Your Own club, which is immensely rewarding. Outside of school, waitressing for the past two years has helped me in using my initiative and working with others in stressful situations. At the moment I am thoroughly enjoying studying English Literature at A-level, which has inspired me to broaden my literary horizons further, as well as enabling me to analyse texts more critically and knowledgeably. I have found that my other A-level subjects, History and Psychology, have contributed to my capacity to understand the author and dissect their writing. History, in particular, has helped me to appreciate the inescapable link between the authors context and their work and the importance of acknowledging the author as a product of their society. Meanwhile, studying Psychology has given me a broader perspective and understanding of the factors that influence the individual mind.

Studying English Literature thus far has given me a thirst to pursue my education in it, and the prospect of being offered further knowledge and appreciation of the literary world is something I find exceptionally stimulating. I would cherish the opportunity to study the subject at University and believe I have the ability and determination to make the most of it.