yay or nay - SOP name drop

[user_name]

So a big part of what I plan to study is ideology, so I quote Zizek in my personal statement. Of people who've read it, there has been a yay, a nay, and no comment made.

Objections raised were that there is a difference between being theoretically a Marxist and politically, and that I should quote critics, not theorists. He's spoke at a few of the schools I'm applying to, but I'm wondering if there's a greater chance of it negatively affecting my application than positively.

Opinions?

[bfat]

I would think it would depend on how the quote was used in the SOP. For example, if it's an introductory paragraph where you're explaining your general philosophy toward academics or education, it could be useful. But if you're getting into nitty gritty over-specificity in what you want to study, quoting an author may weigh down your paper as overly-academic (that's what your writing sample is for), rather than a personal statement--I'd stick to "I'd like to explore the ideas of Zizek as they apply to _____" rather than a direct quote.

But that's just my opinion.

Edited November 10, 2011 by bfat

[lolopixie]

I would think it would depend on how the quote was used in the SOP. For example, if it's an introductory paragraph where you're explaining your general philosophy toward academics or education, it could be useful. But if you're getting into nitty gritty over-specificity in what you want to study, quoting an author may weigh down your paper as overly-academic (that's what your writing sample is for), rather than a personal statement--I'd stick to "I'd like to explore the ideas of Zizek as they apply to _____" rather than a direct quote.

But that's just my opinion.

Agreed.

[perrykm2]

Whoever told you to use critics instead of theorists probably isn't giving you good advice; not only is Zizek incredibly relevant to a lot of branches of literary theory, but I would say you could quote Kim Kardashian if it made your paper more effective. If you like the quote and it works, keep it. If it's kind of superfluous and dangling, and you want it just so adcomms will see the name Zizek, then get it out of there.

[perrykm2]

His little blurb at Occupy Wall Street about ice cream without fat is the most quotable quote of the year.

[user_name]

His little blurb at Occupy Wall Street about ice cream without fat is the most quotable quote of the year.

he goes into this another time...decaffeinated coffee, any type of sex long as you wear gloves. now if there were a way to make the quote pertain to professors who like marxist theory but aren't marxists...