Ramani K. Raman

[ Home ] [ Research ] [ Grad ] [ Fun Physics ] [ Timepass ]

Step 2: Refining

The preliminary draft will in all probability look woefully inadequate - its supposed to be that way: that's why it is called so! If it doesn't, then you should consider a career as writing other peoples SoP - you would make a fortune! :)

Here is my step-by-step guide for refining the SoP to give it a more professional look

• Identify the "core points" in your SoP. What are the main points you are tackling in your SoP. As an example, perhaps your SoP may flow something like Introduction, Background, Project, Research Interests, Why XYZ Univ, Future Goals.

• Draw sharp lines between these "Core Points" in your preliminary draft. Be sure you know where one finishes and the next starts

• Having identified the "separate" sections, ensure that each of these is self-contained. There should be no overlap between two sections - each sections should address a different issue. If the same issue figures in two separate places, delete its occurrence in one of them appropriately. Most importantly, make sure that your ideas are not spread out over many sections. Each section should be more or less like a water tight compartment with only a few threads connecting it to the next section to preserve continuity and flow.

• Now, take each section one by one. For each section

  • Remove repetitive ideas. Restating things again and again in different words is irritating for the reader

  • Remove long sentences. They get confusing and cumbersome. Break them down. Efficient use of connectives such as Therefore, However, Since, Consequently, Furthermore, Following this etc will help you avoid long sentences.

  • Use a thesaurus to hunt for synonyms. If you are using MS Word, highlight the word and right click to find synonyms. Using the same word again and again is boring.

  • Remove stuttered delivery. Each line should naturally follow from the previous line. If any line seems out of place or as an "odd-one-out" consider revising it or perhaps dropping it altogether.

• Once each "Core-Point" is refined within itself, look at the global picture. Each paragraph should naturally flow from one to the other. Most writers I have come across, prefer to state things in chronological order. If you wish, you may break the tradition by going in reverse chronological order or in some other order if you please. But the important point is that there should be some order. Jumping back and forth between ideas will leave the reader confuse as to what you really want to say and cast you as an indecisive and unsure person.

• Do the Page-Preview Test. View the document at 50% size and list out which idea each paragraph is  dealing with. Do these ideas create a smooth and natural flow?

• Finally with your content in place, concentrate on the Introduction and the Conclusion. The introduction is important because the reader will form his/her first impression of you based on the introduction. If your intro sounds dull, the reader will have little inclination to labour on with the rest of the document. A humorous incident or anecdote or an engaging thought may form such an intro. Come what may,  avoid the "I am so-and-so and wish to apply for so-and-so course at your esteemed university" as your first line - It sucks big time! Similarly, spend some time on the conclusion also - it should leave the reader with a sense of completion. Dont leave things hanging in the air. And definitely, avoid the stereotype closures such as "I hope that I have convinced you of my merit" or "I hope my application will be considered favourably" - Yuck!

• At this point, you should have with you a nice, readable document listing out your reasons for graduate studies and future aspirations. You still need to restrict your essay to the specified word limit. You may also want to refine your English to make the SoP look more professional. So let’s go to Step 3.

[ Back ] [ Next ]

[ Intro To SoP ] [ Composing ] [ Refining ] [ Comparing ] [ Analyzing ] [ Refining ] [ Other Resources ]