There are a lot of important decisions to make during the planning stage and when writing your personal statement. San Jose State University shares some factors that you need to decide upon when you write your statement of purpose.
Purpose of writing the application essay
Usually the purpose is to persuade the admissions committee that you are an applicant they should choose. You may want to show that you have the ability and motivation to succeed in your field, or you may want to show the committee that, on the basis of your experience, you are the kind of candidate who will do well in the field.
You have to keep this purpose in mind while you are writing your essay. This will guide you with the flow and content of your essay. You also have to think about your readers. Know the things that the admissions panel would want to know about you.
Content of your statement of purpose
Here are examples of the usual subjects included in the statement of purpose:
“What are the strengths and weaknesses in setting and achieving goals and working through people?” In this question there are actually six parts to be answered 1) strengths in setting goals, 2) strengths in achieving goals, 3) strengths in working through people, 4) weaknesses in setting goals, 5) weaknesses in achieving goals and 6) weaknesses in working through people. Pay attention to small words. Notice: This example question says through people not with people, if it says with people, answer that way.
You don’t have to include everything that’s mentioned above, but focus on those that will reveal your good character. Opt for topics that you are most comfortable to write about and share to your readers.
Style
There is no such thing as “the perfect way to write a statement.” There is only the one that is best for you and fits your circumstances.
You can use creativity and humor on your personal statement. Just make sure that you know how to handle these elements for they’re not easy to manage. Try your best not to make your essay appear amateurish or sleazy.
Here’s another tip from another article:
Remember what you learned in first-year composition? You need a “hook.”
The so-called hook is an element in essay writing that could draw the attention of the admissions committee right from the start. You can use human interest stories, introduce fresh ideas, or appeal to the emotions of your readers by citing experiences they can relate to.
Writing a statement of purpose involves a lot of decision-making. If you want to create a remarkable essay, you have to choose your topics well and create an outline to weed out irrelevant ideas. Focus on purpose, content, and style.
