(一)詳讀學校的寫作說明並瞭解問題的重點,不贅言,不遺漏,且在要求的字數內完成。例如學校要求五百字內完成(In 500 words or less discuss...),則全文最好不要超過五百字。如果學校要求以問答方式來敘述(Responses to essay questions... . Please limit your response to on page.),則依其要求回答不超過一頁。
1.“I am interested in English literature.”這句話表達不夠清楚,而“I was concentrated on Milton and Shakespeare in college.”就明白地說出了申請人的志趣及專研範圍。
2.“I received extensive training in physics.”這句話不夠詳細,“My training was in the area of particle physics.”就具體多了。
3.“I was very active as a student representative.”最好說明曾經做什麼:主辦演講、溝通學生與校方之間的意見等。
4.“I am attracted to your department by its brilliant faculty”——應說明對教授的認知是從何而來,如在何處讀到某教授的文章而願受教於他,或某位教授正在從事一項重要研究,與自己欲攻讀的研究領域相同等;表達對所申請系所的課程、教師和特性有些瞭解,依學校不同而提及對某位任教於該校的教授、新課程或該校的某個學位感興趣。
(三)不要用語意模糊的句子,如“Your esteemed school”——應代以學校的名字;“I will return to serve my country.”——應明確說出所要從事的到底是什麼工作。