Copy of Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose

Mentoring Masters in English Presents

STYLE

PURPOSE

FINALIZE

Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose

If you are applying to multiple schools, and plan to use a single SOP, make sure you tailor a section for the individual school/program.

Use this opportunity to mention the *specific work or publications you find interesting, noting any professors you hope to work or study with.

Use your unique experience to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. Demonstrate:

•What you want to study at their grad school

•Why you want to study it

•What experience/ achievement you have in your field

•What you plan to do with your degree once you have it

A statement of purpose is often described as a personal essay and gives you the opportunity to provide a narrative of your background, academic, professional and personal achievements. Above all, a statement of purpose should clearly and concisely communicate your interest in the program of your choice. Generally, a statement of purpose is one to two pages in length, though some programs provide specific instructions for applicants to use in crafting their statement of purpose.

Avoid writing an academic-style research paper. Instead, narrate an autobiography.

Keep in mind, this is still a professional document;

thoughtful structure, word-choice, development and editing should convey this.

Avoid direct answers. Instead, be creative, honest & personal as you exemplify your qualifications (show, don't tell).

BE SELECTIVE

*Research on specific schools, departments and programs should be collected before drafting your statement.

STRIVE TO

• Be objective: make sure the perspective does not become too narrow and subjective.

• Be active: avoid passive voice by making sure you are the subject, not object of sentences

• Be clear & concise: there is no time to unpack complex or complicated thoughts. Re-write until your idea is easily presented or consider omitting complicated details.

• Be specific: don't speak too generally, vaguely, abstractly, poetically, etc.

• Be descriptive: develop thoughts fully by providing examples and stating implications.

You don't have much room to explicate complex details, so be selective about what you chose to include.

Start with a draft that says everything you want it to say. Then, go to a peer, professor or mentor, and ask for what material is necessary, tells a cohesive narrative, and allows the reader to draw larger conclusions about who you are & of what you are capable.

LENGTH

TONE

EDITING & REVISING

• Revise: write and re-write, working toward the a well polished and thoroughly developed final draft

Be persuasive: sell the potential value you can add to their program

Unless otherwise specified, the Statement of purpose (SOP) is brief at 300-1000 words.

"Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose"

AUDIENCE

Where possible, follow the guidelines of the prompt closely.

The way you execute these guidelines can set you apart from other applicants.

• Edit: read closely & carefully; the final draft should be free of grammatical & mechanical errors

AARIN WALSTON

akwalston@utep.edu

&

REBEKAH R. GRADO

rrgrado@utep.edu

on behalf of

Mentoring Masters in English

UTEP Dept of English

English & American Lit.