Best ways to start a statement of purpose

Applying to universities abroad to expand your horizons and gain global exposure seems glamorous. But, the most painful and slow bit is writing your SoP. The most frustrating part of the writing process is where you need to think of a solid beginning. 

We, as the best essay writers service company, know it to be 100% true. It can be very difficult to decide on one single way to start off your essay based on multitudes of questions – should a casual tone be maintained throughout or should you try to appeal to the emotions of the reader? Should you be straightforward about what you want or should you use the opportunity to let your creative juices run free?

Well, we’re here to make the process of choosing the perfect statement of purpose format a little easier for you. Here are 6 ways in which you can go about starting your SoP:

1. Use quotes from leaders 

The easiest way to start your SoP when you’ve got major writer’s block in that front is with a quote from one of your idols. It is a nice technique to get your reader’s attention right at the beginning. It is also the most common way of beginning your essay.

If it is related to your field or was said by someone who’s a major player in your area of expertise, it can serve as a good premise for all that is to follow in the essay. Also, you can flaunt your knowledge of certain accomplished personalities belonging to your field, too. In this way, you show the reader that the people that you idolize aren’t limited to characters from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Harry Potter. 

2. Utilize a humorous narrative 

This can be a risky card to play but if you do it right, it can reap some pretty fruitful benefits. Starting with a humorous tale and then delivering it with a proper punch line can be a nice segue to the rest of the SOP. This will be great foreshadowing for the rest of the essay as you have already established having a mature and witty sense of humor. 

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However, the reader will be expecting to get entertained and it can really be a difficult task to introduce a great joke and then deliver it at the same pace, so be wary. You don’t want to start off the essay while appearing as an awkward one.

3. Be precise and rely on zero build-up

This is the most no-nonsense way to start off your essay. It involves starting the statement of purpose with the exact reason why you’re applying to the university while being quick and to the point. Introduce yourself, the course you’re applying for and why its the best option on the table for you. Needless to say, at this point, we feel compelled to tell you what Jake Peralta said to Caption Holt when he wanted to stick to being an ethical cop – uh, ya boring. 

4. Share a personal anecdote from your life

Start a statement of purpose with a personal anecdote to convey a message that will help summarize your personality. If the anecdote is emotive enough and if the reader is a good enough empath, here’s a golden chance to play on some heartstrings and get that academic dough. Also, be a nice person, obviously.

5. Nostalgia-inducing Tale

Start off your statement of purpose with a tale from the past to help relate it with the present and shine a light on how far you’ve come. It can also be done to show how your love for the degree that you’re choosing primarily started budding in your childhood. For example, while writing a statement of purpose for an MS course, you can start off the essay by telling the reader how you’ve always been interested in science and math and now that you’re older, you have an opportunity to take up the same as a career option!

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6. Break the fourth wall

Address the reader’s presence directly in the first line by talking in second-person and by directly engaging with the reader. This will help the article retain a certain personal tone and help you stay in contact with the reader’s feels and get you in their good books easily. By acknowledging the reader’s presence, they’ll feel well-validated and this will help your cause. 

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However, remember that this SoP is your baby at the end of the day and is thus meant to be a platform for you to brag about all your accomplishments and talk about yourself without giving too much importance to any third-party external factors. 

The beginning of your SoP must provide a proper and extremely unambiguous base for the rest of it follow. If you lose your reader’s interest right at the beginning, it might reduce their chances of sticking through till the end and going over all your other accomplishments. The beginning of the essay is the most important bit. Without a proper hook to grip the reader, you have fewer chances of being selected. 

If all of this seems a bit confusing to you, you can always hit us up with your requirements and we’ll help you write your SoP!