Use self-appraisal in professional and educational contexts: 'complete your self-appraisal', 'submit a self-appraisal form', 'the annual self-appraisal'. It implies a formal, often documented, process distinct from casual self-reflection.
Use self-appraisal in professional and educational contexts: 'complete your self-appraisal', 'submit a self-appraisal form', 'the annual self-appraisal'. It implies a formal, often documented, process distinct from casual self-reflection.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She completed a self-appraisal of her grammar knowledge. | She completed a self-assessment of her grammar knowledge. |
| His self-appraisal of the situation was accurate. | His assessment of the situation was accurate. |
Use self-appraisal in psychological or personal-development contexts to mean the internal process of evaluating one's own abilities and character: 'honest self-appraisal', 'capacity for self-appraisal'. It implies a more deliberate and searching form of self-knowledge than simple self-reflection.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He had a high self-appraisal, which made him successful. | He had a positive self-image, which gave him confidence. |
| Self-appraisal showed she was perfect for the role. | Self-appraisal showed she had the skills required for the role. |
Self-appraisal in the workplace sense is a formal HR term; in psychology it refers to the internal process of accurate self-evaluation. Both senses imply deliberate, structured reflection rather than casual thought.
In professional contexts, self-appraisal often has a specific form or submission process attached to it — it is not the same as chatting about your progress with a manager. In psychological writing, avoid using it as a synonym for 'self-esteem'; self-appraisal is the process of evaluating oneself, not the resulting feeling.
A compound of self (Old English sylf, 'one's own person') and appraisal (from appraise, via Old French aprisier, from a- and prisier, 'to set a price on', ultimately from Latin pretium, 'price'). The compound reflects the 20th-century emphasis on individual accountability in professional performance management.
What is a self-appraisal?
A self-appraisal is an evaluation of your own performance, abilities, or character. In the workplace it is a formal process where employees assess their own work, usually as part of a performance review. In psychology it refers to the internal process of honest self-examination.
What is the difference between self-appraisal and self-assessment?
Self-appraisal specifically refers to evaluating your performance or worth, often in a formal HR or academic setting. Self-assessment is broader and can cover any structured check on your own knowledge, skills, or progress, including tests and quizzes.
What should a self-appraisal include?
A workplace self-appraisal typically covers your achievements since the last review, areas where you met or exceeded targets, skills you have developed, and areas you want to improve. It should be honest, specific, and backed up with examples.
Why is self-appraisal important?
Self-appraisal builds self-awareness and accountability. In the workplace it gives managers insight into how employees perceive their own performance. Psychologically, honest self-appraisal is foundational to personal growth and meaningful change.
What is the origin of the word appraisal?
Appraisal comes from appraise, via Old French aprisier meaning 'to set a price on', ultimately from Latin pretium ('price'). It originally meant assigning monetary value; the sense of judging quality or performance developed from there.