Dear Sir/Madam,

With this letter I hereby would like to express my motivation for a PhD programme in Linguistics and English Language offered by the University of Edinburgh.

With a major in literary studies as an undergraduate, and Master in Linguistics I would now like to concentrate on English literature. I am particularly interested in twentieth-century literature, women’s literature, US poetry, and folklore. My personal literary projects have involved some combination of these subjects. Moreover, for the oral section of my comprehensive exams, I specialized in twentieth century novels by and about women. The relationship between “high” and folk literature became the subject for my honors essay on (Give brief description) and I plan to work further on this essay by preparing a paper suitable for publication.

In my studies toward a PhD degree, I wish to examine more closely the relationship between high and folk literature. My junior year and private studies of English language and literature have caused me to consider the question of where the divisions between folklore, folk literature, and high literature lie. Should I attend your school, I would like to resume my studies of English poetry, with specialization in its folk elements.

Writing poetry plays prominent role in my career goals. I have just begun submitting to the smaller journals with some success and am steadily building a working manuscript for a collection. The dominant theme of this collection relies on poems that draw from classical, biblical, and folk traditions, as well as everyday experience, in order to celebrate the process of giving and taking life, whether literal or figurative. My poetry is based and influenced by my academic studies, since much of what I read and studied found a place in my creative work as subject. At the same time, I study the art of literature by taking part in the creative process, experimenting with the tools used by other authors in the past.

In a few years, I see myself teaching literature and going into editing or publishing poetry. PhD program offered by your Institution would be valuable to me in several ways. First, your teaching assistantship program would provide me with the practical teaching experience I am eager to acquire. Further, earning a Ph.D. in Linguistics & English Language would support my other two career goals by adding to my skills, both critical and creative, in working with language. Ultimately, however, I see the Ph.D. as an end in itself, as well as a professional milestone; I enjoy studying literature for its own sake and would like to continue my studies on the level demanded by the Ph.D. program.

To my knowledge, this program is very competitive, attracting highly motivated students, but I am convinced that my good academic record and my motivation make me a strong recommendation for a place at it. I would be honored if you decide to accept my candidateship to be Ph. D. student at the University of Edinburgh

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

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