Structuring a SOP?

[historygeek]

Does anyone have any tips on how to structure a statement of purpose, specifically for a PhD program?

Background (if it matters/helps): I’m going to apply mostly to history PhD programs. My interests are the intersection of gender and ethnicity in the early twentieth century, with a focus on sexuality/beauty/fashion/material consumption/food desire and/or political involvement. I’m interested mainly in Italian women in the US and Italy (though I’m also interested in just the US, and in expanding this to include other Mediterranean populations). I’m writing a thesis about how Italian immigrants in St. Louis maintained a cohesive ethnic identity. I studied abroad in Rome last year. I’m a double major in Italian and History and had an internship last semester helping in a museum that centered on Italian-American history.

Any help would be so appreciated!