The choice of writing sample

[WilliamHsieh]

Hello everyone! I would like to ask for opinions on how to choose a writing sample when applying for PhD. Should I send an essay which has something to do with my future research topic, or should I send an essay in which I have some special new discoveries?

Currently I have two available options. Both are papers that I have presented in international academic conferences. One is in international relations, which is my major in graduate school, and this paper is basically a shorter version of my master thesis, which analyzes the difference of U.S. policies between the nuclear crises of North Korea and Iran. The other is in comparative politics, which is my undergraduate major, and in this paper I bring out unique new cases entering semi-presidential system and illustrate that these cases are one of its kind, so I think this paper could be more special since I have some new discoveries. The thing is that I plan to major in international relations in my PhD program, and my primary focus is Northeast Asia, and U.S.-China relations. So here comes the question: which paper should I choose to be my ideal writing sample?

I would like to ask the knowledgeable and experienced people here for your advice. Is it better to send a paper that is in the same field and has something to do with my future research as my writing sample, or it does not matter if I send another paper in another slightly different area that I recently presented yet which has some new contribution to the discipline? Thank you for your advice!

[adaptations]

In my opinion, you should send the paper that best reflects your ability to conduct interesting and quality research. The subject matter is less important than signaling that you are prepared to write and research at a graduate level. So when considering the two options you have, I would submit the paper that reflects the type of research methods you hope to use (or develop) and is the most polished. Best of luck.