I found the article “How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose” a really useful article! That is, if you’re trying to get into a Master’s program. I think, coming from an undergraduate perspective, that applying to a Master’s program sounds a lot scarier than it should. I think it may have something to do with like a college continued stigma that makes it intimidating. It seems like the committee that choose the Master’s program expect a lot from their applicants. This article helped to provide insight into exactly what graduate programs are looking for in the statement of purpose. He even provided clear examples!
When Gotera mentions that you need a “hook” for the first line of the statement, it came across like I was writing a query or planning to give something to a publisher! Which didn’t necessarily help with the scary situation, but it was great advice. It seems like (for us writing majors) we can apply the things we learn in our creative writing classes to writing a statement of purpose – just a bit more professional, I suppose. He seemed to give some of the same advice that we use for our stores, for example, be dynamic, be specific, and use vivid language. It was like I was in a creative writing class again and receiving directions for a story!
I think if we writer’s approach this statement of purpose as a creative piece that we can add our own style into, we won’t be nearly as intimidated at the idea and the first draft might come more naturally.
When Gotera mentions that you need a “hook” for the first line of the statement, it came across like I was writing a query or planning to give something to a publisher! Which didn’t necessarily help with the scary situation, but it was great advice. It seems like (for us writing majors) we can apply the things we learn in our creative writing classes to writing a statement of purpose – just a bit more professional, I suppose. He seemed to give some of the same advice that we use for our stores, for example, be dynamic, be specific, and use vivid language. It was like I was in a creative writing class again and receiving directions for a story!
I think if we writer’s approach this statement of purpose as a creative piece that we can add our own style into, we won’t be nearly as intimidated at the idea and the first draft might come more naturally.