Sop Tips Part 5

HOW TO WRITE A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Say what you want to do ... do it ... say what you have done *)
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I. Basic Outline Format for Essay

A. Introduction and thesis statement (Say what you want to do)

1. Before writing an essay you must have a thesis statement. This
is one sentence announcing the central idea of the paper. It must
be specific. This statement should sum up the basic meaning of the
essay and signal to the reader what to expect.

2. The first sentence is the most important one because it get's
the reader's attention.

3. The first paragraph (introduction) is very important. It should
"hook" the reader, i.e. make him or her want to continue reading.

B. The body of the paper (Do it)

1. Each paragraph should deal with one central idea. This idea is
introduced early in a topic sentence, telling the reader what to
expect in the paragraph. Several ideas in one paragraph will only
confuse the reader. If the central idea has several supporting
points, break it into several paragraphs rather than having one
very long paragraph.

2. It is not enough to simply state ideas, you must support them.
By giving evidence, you convince readers of the truth and accuracy
of your ideas. If you successfully prove your statements, the
reader should agree with your conclusion.

3. As a writer, you must structure the sequence of ideas carefully
and logically. You are mapping a course, leading the reader through
the points that support your thesis. You do not want to confuse the
reader. Transitions between paragraphs link them together
logically. These "connecting sentences" keep the paper flowing
smoothly.

Ex. The man was sick, and my father was mortified that he could not
help him because he did not speak English.
Due to my father's experience, I vowed to learn a foreign language
fluently.

C. Conclusion (Say what you have done)

Restates the thesis and main points supporting it. In the
conclusion, the writer should give some new ideas or information to
challenge the reader to think further.

*) Timmann, Peter. "Writing Papers in the United States", The Advising
Quarterly, Winter 1990.


II. Writing the Statement of Purpose

"Graduate schools and competitive undergraduate programs want students
who are able to think clearly, without confusion. The statement of
purpose will demonstrate, fortunately or unfortunately, whether you
possess that quality. When one reads a proposal that is poorly
organized, filled with EXTRANEOUS details, and foggily focused, one
gets the immediate impression that the mind that produced such
confusion can never be disciplined enough to regard facts objectively
and present them logically." **)

A. Step One: Know Yourself

1. With the statement of purpose you can persuade the admissions
committee to accept you. In order to convince them, you must be
convinced yourself. You must be sure of what you want, why you want
it, and why that particular program can help you. Why should the
school select you over someone else? YOU MUST KNOW YOURSELF. Know
your strengths and weaknesses. Before beginning to write, think.
Review your intellectual and personal development over your
academic career. When you can clearly articulate the history that
led you to decide to apply to a particular American program, you
are ready to begin writing.

B. Step Two: An Outline

1. This does not need to be written in complete sentences. The
outline below is just an example. The points you want to discuss
can be in a different order, as long as you have an introduction,
body, and conclusion. You need to decide what order of ideas is the
best for your essay. You want the strongest and most logical essay
that you can write.

2. EXAMPLE

I. Introduction

Your goals

II. Body of the Paper

A. Why that specific program helps you further your goals

1. Work with specific professor
2. Strong program in your specialization

B. Future potential as a scholar
C. What brought you to this point, major influences
D. Future plans after receiving degree
E. Time spent abroad

III. Conclusion

What you can contribute to the program

Ex. Growing up in Siberia during the period of perestroika has
given me first hand exposure to the transition from a command to a
capitalistic economy.

C. Step Three: Writing the Statement

If you have done a good job with steps one and two, the writing
should come easily. Keep the following points in mind:

1. The first sentence is the most important one. You want the
reader's attention.
2. Cut out any sentences that are not absolutely necessary. Every
sentence should be important and clearly stated. Most points can be
made without a lot of necessary background.
3. Be self-confident. Frame everything positively. Use phrases such
as "actively participated in" rather than "although I was only an
assistant". Even if your English is horrible, do NOT tell them.
Your TOEFL scores will indicate your English ability. Do not write
any negative statements.
4. They are looking to see if your background and expectations
match with what they offer. The more specific you can be with each
institution you are applying to, the more convincing you will be.

**) Leedy, Paul D., Practical Research Planning and Design, MacMillan
Publishing, Co., New York, 1993.


III. Different Programs

The emphasis in your statement of purpose depends on where you are
applying.

A. Undergraduate Program

Put emphasis on you as a whole person, not just academic ability.
They are looking for a well-rounded person who will adapt well into
the school's social as well as academic community. Be sure to
mention sports, volunteer activities, dance or music lessons,
hobbies, etc.

B. Graduate School

The emphasis here is on scholarship and your research interests.
While you want to come through as a person, you want to focus on
those aspects of your personality that relate to your intellectual
and academic interests and goals.

C. Grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships

What you include in your essay should depend on the purpose of the
scholarship. Whom does the organization want to support?

A. If it is a women's organization, emphasize how your goals relate
to you as a woman.
B. If it is a scientific organization, explain your scientific
achievments and future goals.
C. If the fellowship is for a business program, your work
experience in the business world will be more important than your
university coursework.

D. Internships

1. Emphasize practical work experience. You want to include your
academic accomplishments, but this is secondary. It does not have
to be paid work; organizations, committee work, and classroom
projects at the university are also important.
2. Demonstrate how that internship will help further your
professional goals.
3. Highlight the qualities that make you right for that job. If the
job involves sales, you want to stress your ability to get along
with people. If the job involves research, emphasize your powers of
concentration and persistence.

IV. Final Comments

A. Be honest. Be confident and positive without being pushy or
demanding.
B. There is a saying, "Nothing good is ever written, it is
re-written". No one ever writes a perfect first draft.
C. Do not be discouraged if you are not accepted. Be constructive
and analyze the possible reasons for your rejection. Could your
statement of purpose have been stronger? Are your academic
qualifications strong enough for that program? Maybe it really is
not the right program for your goals.
D. Another saying is, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try
again". If you really want to study in the U.S., look into other
programs. If you were rejected from a school that you feel is
really the best for you, improve your weak points, work on new
projects that show you are serious about your goals, and reapply.
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