How to WriteHow to WriteHow to Write How to Write a Statement of Purposea Statement of Purposea Statement of Purposea Statement of Purposefor the for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship

Prof. Reima Al-JarfCollege of Languages & Translation

KAUST Scholarship Candidates’ Workshop. King Saud University. Malaz Campus. May 11, 2008

Aims of WorkshopAims of Workshoppp

At the end of the workshop, attendees will be to:identify what KAUST is looking for in the statement of purpose. p pmake an outline of topics and subtopic to be included in the statement of purposeincluded in the statement of purposewrite an introductionwrite body paragraphswrite body paragraphswrite a conclusionrevise the essaywrite the final draft

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What Is a Statement of Purpose?What Is a Statement of Purpose?

The Statement of Purpose is the single mostThe Statement of Purpose is the single most important part of your application It will tell the admissions committee: 

who you arewho you are what has influenced your career path so faryour professional interests where you plan to go from herey 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 aenthusiastic people who will make the class a stimulating place. Academic achievements and good test scores.Don’t try to be something you are not.Don t try to be something you are not. Be honest, look inside yourself and do your b tbest. 

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Stages of Writing Your Statement of PurposeStages of Writing Your Statement of Purpose

• QuestionsQuestions• Brainstorming• Making an outline

Before Writing the essay

• Making an outline

W iti i t d ti• Writing an introduction• Writing body paragraphs

i i l iWriting the essay

• Writing a conclusion

• Revising the essay• Writing the final draft

After Writing the essay • Writing the final draftWriting the essay

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KAUST Requirements in a Statement of Purpose

Please write an essay that describes and provide examples for the following:following: 

your grades, courses taken, academic honors .your research experience through your school work papersyour research experience through your school work, papers, projects, internship or work experience.your personal motivation to attend KAUST and personalyour personal motivation to attend KAUST and personal goals your extracurricular activities in your community and/oryour extracurricular activities in your community and/or school 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.

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Making an Outline

Part 1: Part II:  Academics achievement

gradesResearch Experience

papersgrades courses taken h

papersProjects internshiphonors  internship 

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Making an Outline

Part III: Part IV:

work experience:1.

Personal Goals/motivation to attend KAUST:

2.3.

1.2.

4.5.

3.4.55.

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Making an Outline

Part V:  Part VI: 

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extracurricular activities:1.

international experience:1.1.

2.3

1.2.33.

4.3.4.

5. 5.

Making an Outline

Part VII: Part VIII:

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Personal Traits1.

Language, Computer skills & research skills1.

2.3

1.23.

4.

2.3.45. 4.5.

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Writing the Essayg y

IntroductionIntroduction

Body

For each question, write a paragraph that combines all points.For each question, write a paragraph that combines all points.

Conclusion

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Tips for Writing a successful Essay

Your introduction:Must be interesting.  Ask yourself: “why a reader would wantAsk yourself:  “why a reader would want to read my entire essay after reading my introduction?” Don't Summarize in your Introduction. If yyou summarize, the scholarship officer need not read the rest of your essayneed not read the rest of your essay. Create intrigue in your Introduction.  

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Tips for Writing a successful Essay

Answer the Questions  Be OriginalB Y lfBe Yourself:Write about something meaningful. Describe your feelings, not necessarily your actionsactions.  Big words do not make good essays.  Use imagery and clear, vivid prose.

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Tips for Writing a successful Essay

Body paragraphs must relate to introduction. Use transition within paragraphs and between paragraphs to preserve the logical flow of your p g p p g yessay. The conclusion is your last chance to persuade theThe conclusion is your last chance to persuade the reader or impress upon them your qualifications. Don’t summarizeDon t summarize.  

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After Writing Your Essay

languagelanguage

Editing & 

ReviewingFlowtone

Reviewing

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structure

After Writing Your Essay

Spend a week or so away from your draft to p y ydecide if you still consider your topic and approach worthwhile.approach worthwhile. Give your draft to others & ask them to read i h h i i i dwith these questions in mind: 

Is my sentence structure varied or do I yuse all long or all short sentences? Do you detect any clichés?Do you detect any clichés? Do I use transition appropriately? 

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After Writing Your Essay

Do I use imagery often and does this g ymake my essay clearer? What's the best part of the essay?What s the best 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 supportWhat parts of the essay do not supportyour main argument? I i l t i l t thIs every single sentence crucial to the essay?  

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After Writing Your Essay

What does the essay reveal about your y ypersonality?What is your strongest personality trait?What is your strongest personality trait? Do you a philosophy?How would your friends characterize you? 

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After Writing Your Essay

What have you done outside of the classroom that demonstrates qualities sought after by universities? g yWhat are your most important extracurricular or community activities?extracurricular or community activities? What made you join these activities? What made you continue to contribute to them?them? 

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After Writing Your Essay

What are your dreams of the future? How does this particular scholarship fit into your plans for the future?into your plans for the future? Will a scholarship officer remember your t i ft d f di h d d ftopic after a day of reading hundreds of essays? What will the officer remember about you?you? 

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