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The 1,000-2,000-word document, also known as a personal statement or statement of objectives, is an essential part of your program application. Because the faculty reads hundreds of these essays, keep your statement brief and to the point. Here are seven easy steps to write your SOP for humanities. Following proper order results in a concise and comprehensive statement. Keep reading to know more.
Why is an SOP important?
A Statement of Purpose is a direct line of communication between you and the admissions committee. Are you wondering how? You are a complete stranger to the admissions committee. They have no idea about your personality or attitude. With the SOP, you tell and persuade them of your suitability for their program and institution.
The committee evaluates your aptitude and future prospects based on what you have written in the SOP. That is why it is critical to tailor all aspects of your Statement of Purpose. Everything should be included, from explaining your weaknesses to emphasizing your strengths and vision.
Is SOP required only for admissions? The importance of an SOP extends beyond admissions to universities in the United States, Canada, and other countries. Potential international students are frequently asked to write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a student visa and a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for scholarships/sponsorships.
Humanities
The humanities include fields that study society and culture, such as literature, philosophy, history, and performing arts. They also learn modern languages such as Spanish, French, and German, and classical languages such as Latin and Greek. The humanities research approaches are diverse but tend to favor qualitative rather than quantitative methods. This approach differs from the primarily quantitative approach used in the sciences.
They have narrative-like introductory hooks and can even read like a story. Humanities statements do not strictly adhere to genre conventions like other fields, and you have a lot of leeways to be creative. Ensure that you include the critical information in your creativity, why you are applying to this particular school, and what you intend to do there.
Follow these seven steps to write the perfect SOP for humanities.
What do you want to study?
Did you apply to graduate school for some reason? Have you had any experiences that have bothered or intrigued you? Most graduate programs expect you to plan your future course of study while acknowledging that you may develop new interests over time.
- Establish the context- what is already known? List the specific scholars and use keywords in your discipline to demonstrate where your interests lie within the field’s broader scope.
- Are there any knowledge gaps based on what is known to all?
- What questions do you have? Which questions merit further investigation?
- Why is this relevant to the field of study? In other words, how would answering these questions contribute to your field’s knowledge?
How are you qualified to do so?
Ask yourself what experiences you have had that will benefit your graduate studies. Perhaps it was a one-of-a-kind undergraduate or master’s thesis, a year abroad, or prior experience in research methodologies relevant to your field. Use this question to demonstrate your motivation and independence. It’s also a good idea to explain how you became interested in the topic you want to study, as this will often highlight the experiences that have prepared you for the program.
Engaging writing style
From the first sentence, you will capture the attention of the faculty. Create content that captivates readers and compels them to act. Include some short anecdotes that are relevant to the SOP for humanities.
No mistakes
The SOP must be error-free as a critical document in the admissions process. You must take great care to provide a report that is free of errors. Make sure to cross-check every word. It will make or break your future, so handle it with utmost importance.
Cover all areas
You must understand the specifics of your SOP for humanities. In addition to gathering pertinent information, you should conduct research to draft a comprehensive write-up. Humanities Statements of Purpose are more creative and personal than statements from other fields. They discuss the student’s academic and research objectives and include personal information about the applicant.
Use of standard English
You must write fluently in English. You might need to submit this to various universities abroad, such as in the United States of America, Canada, or the United Kingdom. You must be cautious of the language and write the perfect SOP. It will benefit you, as these countries need English proficiency tests, and if your SOP highlights excellent use of English, it’ll be for the best.
Mention your interests
Highlight your interests in furthering your education in humanities by relating them to your previous academic and professional experiences or providing valid reasons for your interest in the subject. When the universities know that you have a goal and objective in mind, it creates a good impression.
Mistakes you must avoid
Here are five mistakes you must avoid while writing your SOP for humanities.
Illogical claims
SOP is a document used by the selection committee to assess your integrity and logical and sensible reasoning. Illogical claims or statements can undermine the appeal of your SOP. Include necessary information, and do not beat around the bush to create lengthy SOPs.
Not proofreading
Proofreading is the process of identifying all careless mistakes in a written piece. Typos are common, but a selection committee will not tolerate them in an SOP. It needs your full attention while writing. A slight mistake can compromise your career and dream. So be extra careful about your SOP.
Praising the university
You must express how much you value the university’s resources and strengths for your academic formation. Still, you must do so in a balanced manner. Too much adoration or praise will detract from the authenticity of the article. Universities don’t like sugar-coated sentences. They require crisp and to-the-point answers and statements. You can add a bit of creativity but do not extend it to praising the university after every third line.
Do not be dishonest
Dishonest claims in the SOP will be rejected emphatically. Such claims to impress the selection committee frequently backfire when the truth is revealed, which is entirely possible in most cases. You cannot assume that the university will not do a background check. You will need to submit many documents to identify your truth or lie.
Too lengthy
The most appealing SOP covers the most points in the fewest words. You can master the art of SOP writing by practicing it two-five times before writing the final piece. Include the necessary information and create a clean and crisp SOP.
Do’s and don’ts
Here are a few do’s and don’ts you should remember while writing your SOP.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Tell a story | Don’t make broad statements like ‘solve social problems’ or ‘increase understanding’ |
| Write about yourself | Don’t makeup experiences you never had |
| Use the first person point of view | Don’t send in a rough draft |
| Let the facts speak for you | Don’t start writing the night before the due date |
| Focus your uniqueness | Don’t plagiarize from others |
| Explain your skills and knowledge | Don’t make it too long (or too short) |
| Use active words | Don’t forget to address particular questions asked by the program you’re applying to |
| Be clear and convincing | Avoid overuse of ‘to be’ |
| Type your Statement of Purpose | Avoid clichés |
| Check grammar, punctuation, and word usage | Don’t make this your resume |
| Ask at least three people to review and critique | Avoid abbreviations |
| Explain what the program stands to gain by accepting you | Avoid negatives and long personal stories |
Key takeaways
- Your SOP is the most valuable piece of statement when applying to universities abroad. The universities select the SOPs according to the effort put into them.
- Write an engaging piece, and mention your interests and qualifications. Write about your experience in the field of humanities. Also, mention what inclines you towards this topic.
- Write a crisp yet concise Statement of Purpose. Do not add false information to your SOP. Make sure to proofread it before submitting it to universities.
Did you find this blog informative? If so, do express your thoughts in the comments below. Click here to contact us for more information on SOP for humanities. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.
Liked this blog? Read next: Know how to write an SOP for Ph.D. a step by step guide.
FAQs
Q1. Do you need to add a title to your SOP?
Answer- Do not outline your statement with the intention of telling schools what you believe they want to hear. Sincerity is valuable and noticeable. Do not use quotation marks or give your Statement of Purpose a title.
Q2. Can SOP be 2 pages?
Answer- Unless otherwise stated, a standard Statement of Purpose should be two pages long, use a maximum font size of 12-point, and be double-spaced with normal margins. As a result, depending on the font used, a standard SOP would be between 800 and 1000 words long.
Q3. What documents are required for SOP?
Answer- Financial background, academic details., and professional experience are among some of the documents required for an SOP.
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