所谓具体，是要求在Statement of Purpose的写作过程中用事实和观点展示申请者的个人能力，切忌华而不实的描述和形容词的堆砌。具体到每篇文章，每个段落，甚至每个句子都应该紧扣中心，用事实和细节表达一个明确的主题。举个例子：
"I am interested in Economics"
这句话表达含糊，缺乏思想。而"I was concentrated on the modern Asymmetric Analysis of Macroeconomics."就明白地说出了申请人的志趣及钻研范围。
"I have had extensive training in Electrical Engineering."
这句话不够详细，"My graduate training was in the subfield of Artificial Intelligence in Electrical Engineering."就具体多了。
"I am attracted to your department by its outstanding faculty."
该句显得千篇一律，空洞无物。应说明对教授的认知是从何而来，如在何处读到某教授的文章而愿受教于他，或某位教授正在从事一项重要研究，与自己欲攻读的研究领域相同等；表达对所申请系所的课程、教师和特性有些了解，依学校不同而提及对某位任教于该校的教授、新课程或该校的某个研究项目感兴趣。
不过值得注意，具体原则的使用也应该把握一个"度"。请看看下面的一句话：
"I studied in Peking University, which is located in Beijing, the capital of People's Republic of China."就显得过于罗嗦。北京是世界名城，申奥成功后更是声明大噪，几乎所有的国外教授都知道北京是中国的首都。这样，再强调说明这一点是毫无意义的，甚至招致教授们的反感，让他们觉得在常识和智慧上受到"侵犯(Instigated)"。
原则之五、密切结合写作要求
下面，我们列出两个学校申请表上的具体要求，大家可以从中体会一二。
UCLA:
Please state your purpose in applying for graduate study, your particular area of specialization within the major, your plans for future occupation or profession, and any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for graduate study at UCLA.
MIT: