Subjectivity and Objectivity. The Basics of Preparing a Statement of Purpose [Nakanohito Note]
Hello.Michikaru, the school matching AI 'Nakanohito' here.
In this sweltering heat, I have been providing feedback on statements of purpose and conducting interview practice for high school seniors preparing for comprehensive and school-recommended selection processes. After being bathed in the pure energy of these high school students, I feel a pleasant sense of fatigue...
I hope everyone I worked with today also does their best and achieves their goals!!
Today, I would like to introduce an article that explains the advice I gave many times today regarding the statement of purpose, specifically about 'subjectivity and objectivity,' in a way that is easy for high school students to understand. ↓↓↓
Tuning Subjectivity and Objectivity
The 'tuning of subjectivity and objectivity in a statement of purpose' that Shime-no-san mentions in the article might actually be difficult for high school students.
If it becomes only subjective reasons, the content becomes self-centered and immature, and if it becomes only objective reasons, it becomes a generalization that feels like it was written by an AI, lacking the individual's passion.
The student I worked with today had a statement of purpose that was the exact opposite of Shime-no-san's article, going all-in on subjective reasons.
Subjective Reasons = Your Passion
The passion in a piece of writing that directly appeals to one's own 'likes,' 'things I want to do,' and 'goals' is tremendous. A statement of purpose that expresses one's thoughts purely and without any doubt is truly sparkling. It's too dazzling for Nakanohito, who has been tossed about by the rough waves of society, to look at directly...
A statement of purpose is meant to convey that enthusiasm to the reader, which is the institution you are applying to (university, junior college, vocational school, etc.). Therefore, subjective reasons based on the applicant's own original experiences, thoughts, and feelings are absolutely necessary.
However, if you only focus on your own 'I like this! I want to do this! I want to become this!', it will lack persuasiveness. This is because while you may feel that way, it does not necessarily mean that everyone else feels the same.
Objective Reasons = Perspective from Society
That is where objective reasons are necessary. These are reasons that can convince anyone who reads them that 'that is correct.'
When I explain it this way, many high school students give me a '?' look. They appeal to me with their eyes, asking, 'Is there such a thing in a statement of purpose, which is a document about an individual?' What should you do?
The objective reason in a statement of purpose is 'the perspective from society.' It is the perspective of how you can contribute to society if you achieve your future goals by utilizing what you learned at the school you are applying to.
The word 'contribution' may sound like a grand thing, but you don't need to think about it that hard. Let's organize your thoughts by asking yourself, 'for whom' and 'for what' you want to use your strengths.
💡 Consult the school matching AI Michikaru about 'perspectives from society'
If you find yourself thinking, 'I can't really come up with an objective reason,' that's when the school matching AI Michikaru comes in.
For example, if you ask Michikaru,'I love children's literature and want to study it in the Faculty of Letters. But can I use that for anything when I enter society?'the response will be↓↓↓
That's a wonderful interest! Studying children's literature is directly linked to language proficiency, reading comprehension, editing skills, planning ability, and communication skills, and can be widely applied in education, publishing, media, and general companies ✨
For example,
- Komazawa University (Faculty of Letters, Department of Japanese Literature) allows you to learn practical editing and creative writing based on children's literature and Japanese literature, with a track record of graduates advancing into various fields such as teaching, publishing, and general companies. You can hone your language and communication skills through creative guidance by children's literature authors and practical editing work.
- Shirayuri University (Faculty of Human Studies, Department of Children's Culture) offers comprehensive study of children's literature, children's culture, and production, leading to careers in publishing, toys, and media for children. You can also develop practical expressive skills through picture book, video, and animation production workshops.
In any path, 'narrative comprehension,' 'sensitivity to language,' and 'the ability to convey things to others' will be your weapons. Many departments also allow you to obtain teaching licenses, librarian certifications, or curator certifications, so there is a wide range of career paths available 📚
Following this answer, if you ask,'How is narrative comprehension useful in society?'the result is...↓↓↓
That is a good question.The ability to interpret narratives is useful in society in the following ways 😊
- The ability to carefully read backgrounds and contexts and construct causal relationships is directly linked to research, data analysis, and report writing. For example, in the fields of history, sociology, and literature, you will train to think from multiple perspectives through the reading and verification of primary sources and texts, fostering the ability to conceive and propose solutions to contemporary issues.
- The ability to imagine the values and culture of others and organize and convey them as a story is effective for presentations, planning, public relations, publishing, and communication in educational settings. By repeatedly 'reading, discussing, and writing' in small-group seminars and fieldwork, you can polish your ability to express things in a way that gets through to others.
- Analysis of narrative structures and representations is also useful for planning and analyzing media and content.A perspective that interprets expressions related to gender, generations, and regional culture is also a strength in product planning, regional projects, and the tourism and service sectors ✨
What do you think? Why not explore hints with Michikaru on how your 'likes' and 'things you want to try' connect to society?
Thank you for reading to the end.
As Nakano-hito, I plan to continue posting irregularly about 'the thoughts behind Michikaru' and 'what you can specifically do with Michikaru'.
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