Conversation 49 - Excerpt

Bill: …I’ve got to finish this motivation letter here.

Hillary: Which one’s that?

B: It’s my letter for USC grad school. I’ve got to get it in the mail this afternoon. I’ve been putting it off and putting it off, but now I’ve really got to get it done, or I’ll miss the submission deadline. So I’m going to have to miss 360 class, that’s all.

H: Too bad. Why’n’t you write it before, anyway? You’re one of the most organized guys I know.

B: Oh, I dunno. I never do know what to say in these things exactly. And this one’s really got me stumped. I really want to get into their graduate International Affairs program– so this one’s got to be just right, you know?

H: So…what’s wrong with it? Can I see what you’ve got so far?

B: Huh? Oh. Sure. Here you go. It’s just that, uh, I can’t find that, you know, balance between eagerness and uh, effusiveness. I mean, how to show them I’m sincere. I want to tell them that I really want to get into that program, and that I think I’ve got the background to do well in it– but I can’t sound like some, well, wet-behind-the-ears, stars-in-my-eyes wannabe, either.

H: Yeah. I know what you mean. It’s hard, isn’t it? It’s a fine line to walk. Lemmee see…mmm…this is nice– “The political turmoil that has brought in the 21st century”…catchy! Hmm… Oh, but this– “I really feel my qualifications…” Naw, that’s no good, Bill. That sounds really canned. And you shouldn’t have to say you “feel”– that feeling should come out in the context– and “really” certainly doesn’t belong anywhere near a formal letter!

B: Oh .