claire56

Thanks for that feedback (and thanks to Augusta as well). What you say doesn't bother me at all, because I actually want to write a new paper. I'm genuinely excited about my interest, and it wouldn't be a chore for me. My next concern is this: is it going to bother the committees that I'm writing something new? I do have old papers that take a feminist critical approach, but they're either too short or not good enough. (I wrote this one paper for a course I took called Feminist Criticism, and I think the paper sucked, but it's not a reflection of what I'm capable of nor does it reflect a lack of interest). I really want to write a new paper. And assuming they don't mind my writing a new paper (and I'm assuming most won't), what do I put at the top where I have to put a professor name and course name? I want the paper to be MLA formatted with proper heading. But I can't rightfully say I wrote it for such-and-such course for such-and-such professor if I didn't. Lastly, they are going to know I didn't write it while in grad school (in my M.A. program) because the book I want to write about was published in October 2011 (I graduated from my program in May 2011). Even if one could say that I don't have to state explicitly that I didn't write the paper for a course, some particularly attentive person might notice the dates thing. Thoughts? Thanks

How important do you all think it is for one's writing sample to match one's stated research interest? The writing sample I've been intending to use is one of my best papers from my M.A. program, and though it is American Literature (my broad area of interest), it's American Romanticism -- Herman Melville. it does not in any remote way relate to my interest for a PhD program. I'm interested in the Harlem Renaissance, modernism, post-modernism, feminist literary theory, women, gender, sexuality, etc. It's just that the paper on Melville (and humor in one of his works) is, to me, my best critical analysis. I've been thinking of writing a new paper that's about 15 pages that is related to my area of interest. I don't have anything old that I think is good enough. Do you think an applicant raises her chance for admittance if she submits a writing sample very matched with what she wants to do in the program? I actually think it would be fun to write a new paper; I already have an idea. Yet, I feel a little silly going to the trouble if it really doesn't matter to most programs, if they're really just looking for your ability to think critically and don't care if it "matches" your interest or not. Thanks in advance.

Thanks asleepawake. That makes a lot of sense.

Another question about the SoP. To your thinking, how many scholarly texts is too many to mention? I hear it's a good idea to maybe mention one or two that has/have influenced your thinking or helped shape your research idea. But how many is too many? I was thinking of mentioning two. One related to one research idea, and a second related to the other. Think that's fine? Or should I be title-dropping more? (And for the record, it would be titles I have actually read, not just things I'm throwing in...). But I don't want to meander into annoying/pretentious territory. Thanks...

Proflorax, thanks for your feedback. That helps a lot. Another question for you or anyone else who may know. If a school asks for a 15-25 page critical writing sample, does it make a difference to them (generally, to your knowledge) if you send a 20 page paper, or if you send two very good 10-12 page papers? They usually don't say on their websites, but I wondered if you all think sending two 10-12 pagers makes it look like you're not in the big leagues writing long papers? For the record, I have a good 20+ page paper, but I may like my shorter ones better...don't know yet. Same question for the schools that ask for just a 10-12 page writing sample. Could I conceivably send two 6 page papers? Even though they're way short, I did write a few short papers during my M.A. and during my undergrad years that I think could be polished up for good writing samples. What would you all do? What do you plan to do? Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I'll be applying for a PhD in English Literature this winter to hopefully begin in Fall 2013. I have a question about the SOP, which I've already started working on. Is an applicant supposed to focus on only ONE area of interest? (That is, one research idea). I have no idea about this. I have two areas of interest/research ideas, and thought I'd outline both of them in my SOP. I assume that it's better to show you're not fixated on one thing (also gives you a better chance of an idea of yours being of interest to a faculty member). But does it do just the opposite -- that is, make it seem like you don't know what you want to do? When I applied for my M.A. program, I expressed two areas of interest. But I don't know if it's different for PhD programs. I should note, of course, that my having two general areas of interest (and wanting to relay both of them) does not mean I'd not ultimately be willing to choose one over the other once in the actual program and doing research/writing. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance.