I have similar questions about length, but here's what I've been able to sort out so far on the topic. From looking at a friend's SOPs (she was accepted to a tiptop English lit program for this fall), most of the time approximately 2pgs single spaced does the trick and seems to be the standard response to programs that don't specify length. Duke has pretty extensive advise both for length and content: http://english.duke.edu/grads/faqs.php#17 and I've seen their 'do whatever you need to keep it under 2 pages but make sure it's readable' guideline elsewhere as well. A few places, of course, will be evil and ask you to keep it under 500 words.
As for the statement itself, I'm not as familiar with the specific guidelines for students who have already completed a masters, but from what little I do know you seem to be doing the right thing - you have a specific focus and present detailed knowledge of the work of the professors at this institution. I like that you are able to show your passion for the topic by focusing on an issue that angered you (I'm trying to work a parallel move with Milton), and you effectively show grounds for continued interest, but I'd like to have a stronger sense of where exactly you fit in terms of Joyce studies - not just who you've read at this University, but more generally which camps of Joyce scholarship. Because that seems like it would be almost as important, especially seeking entrance as a MA.I may, of course, be wrong on this count, but at this point, I can't quite tell whether your focus is to be on Joyce himself or on various engagements with problems posed in his writing.
I'd be very interested to know which universities you're looking at! In any case, good luck!
As for the statement itself, I'm not as familiar with the specific guidelines for students who have already completed a masters, but from what little I do know you seem to be doing the right thing - you have a specific focus and present detailed knowledge of the work of the professors at this institution. I like that you are able to show your passion for the topic by focusing on an issue that angered you (I'm trying to work a parallel move with Milton), and you effectively show grounds for continued interest, but I'd like to have a stronger sense of where exactly you fit in terms of Joyce studies - not just who you've read at this University, but more generally which camps of Joyce scholarship. Because that seems like it would be almost as important, especially seeking entrance as a MA.I may, of course, be wrong on this count, but at this point, I can't quite tell whether your focus is to be on Joyce himself or on various engagements with problems posed in his writing.
I'd be very interested to know which universities you're looking at! In any case, good luck!
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