May 11, 2008 - make an outline of topics and subtopic to be included in the statement of purpose included in the statement of purpose. ⢠write an introduction.
How to Write How to Write a Statement of Purpose a Statement of Purpose for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship for the
Prof. Reima Al-Jarf College of Languages & Translation KAUST Scholarship Candidates’ Workshop. King Saud University. Malaz Campus. May 11, 2008
Aims of Workshop p At the end of the workshop, attendees will be to: z identify what KAUST is looking for in the statement of purpose. p p z make an outline of topics and subtopic to be included in the statement of purpose included in the statement of purpose z write an introduction z write body paragraphs write body paragraphs z write a conclusion z revise the essay z write the final draft
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What Is a Statement of Purpose? The Statement of Purpose is the single most The Statement of Purpose is the single most important part of your application ` It will tell the admissions committee: who you are who you are what has influenced your career path so far your professional interests where you plan to go from here y p g `
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What Do Universities Look for in a Statement of Purpose? in a Statement of Purpose? A mix of interesting, confident and enthusiastic people who will make the class a enthusiastic people who will make the class a stimulating place. ` Academic achievements and good test scores. ` Don Don’tt try to be something you are not. try to be something you are not. ` Be honest, look inside yourself and do your b t best. `
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Stages of Writing Your Statement of Purpose Before Writing the essay
• Questions • Brainstorming • Making an outline Making an outline
Writing the essay
• Writing an introduction W iti i t d ti • Writing body paragraphs • Writing a conclusion ii l i
After Writing the essay Writing the essay
• Revising the essay • Writing the final draft Writing the final draft
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KAUST Requirements in a Statement of Purpose Please write an essay that describes and provide examples for the following: following: z your grades, courses taken, academic honors . z your research your research experience through your school work, papers, experience through your school work papers projects, internship or work experience. z your personal motivation your personal motivation to attend KAUST and personal to attend KAUST and personal goals z your extracurricular activities in your community and/or your extracurricular activities in your community and/or school z international experience Essays must be submitted in English. Please limit your response to fifty lines of text and leave a 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) top margin on every page of your uploaded essays. 6
Making an Outline ` Part 1:
` Part II:
` Academics achievement
` Research Experience
z z z
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grades grades courses taken h honors
z z z
papers Projects internship internship
Making an Outline ` Part III:
` Part IV:
` work experience:
` Personal Goals/motivation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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to attend KAUST: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Making an Outline g `Part V:
` Part VI:
`extracurricular activities:
` international experience:
1. 2. 3 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3 3. 4. 5.
Making an Outline g ` Part VII:
` Part VIII:
` Personal Traits
` Language, Computer
1. 2. 3 3. 4. 5.
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skills & research skills 1. 2 2. 3. 4 4. 5.
Writing the Essay g y Introduction
Body For each question, write a paragraph that combines all points. For each question, write a paragraph that combines all points.
Conclusion 11
Tips for Writing a successful Essay Î Your introduction: ` `
`
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Must be interesting. Ask yourself: “why a reader would want Ask yourself: “why a reader would want to read my entire essay after reading my introduction?” Don't Summarize in your Introduction. If y you summarize, the scholarship officer need not read the rest of your essay need not read the rest of your essay. Create intrigue in your Introduction.
Tips for Writing a successful Essay Î Answer the Questions Î Be Original Î Be Yourself: B Y lf
Write about something meaningful. Describe your feelings, not necessarily your actions. actions Î Big words do not make good essays. Î Use imagery and clear, vivid prose. 13
Tips for Writing a successful Essay Î Body paragraphs must relate to introduction. Î Use transition within paragraphs and between
paragraphs to preserve the logical flow of your p g p p g y essay. Î The conclusion The conclusion is your last chance to persuade the is your last chance to persuade the reader or impress upon them your qualifications. Î Don Don’tt summarize. summarize
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After Writing Your Essay language
tone
Editing & Reviewing
structure 15
Flow
After Writing Your Essay Spend a week or so away from your draft to p y y decide if you still consider your topic and approach worthwhile. approach worthwhile. ` Give your draft to others & ask them to read with these questions in mind: ih h i i i d z Is my sentence structure varied y or do I use all long or all short sentences? z Do you detect any clichés? Do you detect any clichés? z Do I use transition appropriately? `
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After Writing Your Essay z z z z z z
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Do I use imagery g y often and does this make my essay clearer? What'ss the best What the best part of the essay? part of the essay? What's the worst part of the essay? What parts of the essay are unclear? What parts of the essay do not support What parts of the essay do not support your main argument? I Is every single sentence crucial i l t i l to the t th essay?
After Writing Your Essay z What does the essay reveal about your y y
personality? z What is your strongest What is your strongest personality trait? personality trait? z Do you a philosophy? z How would your friends characterize you?
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After Writing Your Essay z What have you done outside of the
classroom that demonstrates qualities g y sought after by universities? z What are your most important extracurricular or community activities? or community activities? z What made you join these activities? z What made you continue to contribute to them? them?
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After Writing Your Essay z What are your dreams of the future? z How does this particular scholarship fit
into your plans into your plans for the future? for the future? z Will a scholarship officer remember your t i ft topic after a day of reading hundreds of d f di h d d f essays? z What will the officer remember about you? you?
