Summarize this article in one sentence.
You should have at least one substantial paragraph devoted to the specific topics that interest you. Describe the contemporary theories, books, scholars, or topics that excite and inspire you. You can pose interests as a question. This makes your writing engaging, and shows your ability to formulate research questions. For instance, you might write something like "the question I keep turning to in my research is: How did gender-based concerns shape the epistolary novel and related genres in eighteenth-century France?" Let the details speak in your statement. This will excite the admissions committee, and make your personal statement stand apart from boring, stale, and vague essays. For instance, write something more than "I gained significant experience as an intern in a chemical engineering lab that I will apply to my graduate study." Instead, try something like "While interning at the UC Berkeley Chemical Engineering Lab, I discovered a new method for crystallizing citric acid. In my article published in the New England Journal of Chemistry, I explained how this can potentially transform the industrial production of this compound. I intend to pursue research on these applications during my graduate study." Don't be afraid to use the technical lingo of your field. Remember you are writing to your peers who want to know you are knowledgeable. A statement of purpose is no time to be modest. Don't boast, but be forward about your accomplishments. Remember you want to impress admissions committees! This means don't settle for something like "As an undergraduate, I excelled academically." Instead, show specific evidence of your accomplishments: "A $2000 grant from the Louisiana Historical Society to fund my research on material culture in Antebellum African American daily life. The senior thesis I wrote reporting my findings earned the LSU Library Undergraduate Research Award." If there are specific professors you want to work with in graduate school, mention them in your statement of purpose. This will need to be tailored to each individual school you apply to. For instance, you could say something like "I'm interested in taking one of Professor Mueller's courses on contemporary theories of the novel," or "As a student in your program, I would further my research by participating in Dr. Cortez' genomics lab group." If you don't yet have anyone specific in mind, that's ok. Instead, you can mention the department's or university's strengths and how you would benefit from them: "As a practicing translator, I would enthusiastically contribute to UD's Center for Intercultural Communications." Be honest in talking about your interests, and don't feel as though you can only discuss working with big names. Keep in mind that sometimes the most famous professors in a department might not work with many graduate students. It's perfectly fine if you've taken some time off between your undergraduate years and entering graduate school, but you should briefly address this. Likewise, having an academic setback (like a failing grade one semester or a lowish test score), won't get you automatically rejected if your application is otherwise strong--but you should explain yourself. For instance, you might say "After completing my undergraduate degree, I spent two years as an assistant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an experience that will inform my graduate studies in public administration." If you have an academic issue to address, try something like "After selecting my senior research topic, my sense of focus was heightened. My GPA increased significantly, and I received a High Pass on my senior thesis." Most statements of purpose are about 500 to 1000 words (1-2 pages). If the length is not specifically stated, keep them within this range. Make your statement too short, and admissions committees will be underwhelmed. Make it too long, and they'll be annoyed. If the application specifically asks you to write a statement that is less than 500 words or more than 1000, however, follow the directions.
Wow them with your knowledge of the field. Focus on showing, not telling. Toot your own horn. Name who you want to work with. Explain any gaps or academic issues. Be concise.