How to Write a Motivation Letter (With Examples)

A motivation letter explains why you are applying to a specific university program, scholarship, or internship. Also known as a statement of purpose, it’s your opportunity to explain how your interests, experiences, and goals make you a perfect fit for the opportunity.

Writing a motivation letter is a lot like writing a cover letter, But motivation letters place more importance on your personal reasons for applying.

Motivation letter samples

The four example motivation letters below demonstrate how to show passion and personality when applying for different types of opportunities.

Scholarship motivation letter

Scholarship motivation letters are typically 400–700 words. They should illustrate your passion and personal story and explain how the scholarship will support your academic goals,

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University application motivation letter

Given how competitive college applications can be, your letter needs to be well-rounded and compelling. Highlight academic achievements while describing your ambitions and enthusiasm in the subject. The letter below is a great example.

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Internship motivation letter

If you’re applying for an internship, think beyond your classroom achievements. The best internship application letters highlight relevant extracurricular activities, projects, and similar achievements, making their authors appear well-rounded and passionate.

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Motivation letter for a job

Some employers, especially NGOs and volunteer organisations, use “motivation letter” instead of “cover letter.” The key to writing one is balancing your strengths with a clear explanation of why you’re applying.

The example below does this well—the applicant highlights their key accomplishments before expressing their enthusiasm for the opportunity.

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When working with this type of motivation letter, you should aim to highlight your professional goals and align them with the job. While you write your resume to highlight your past achievements and experiences, you write your professional motivation letter to illustrate how the future value of your strengths to the employer.

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How to write a strong motivation letter

Your motivation letter is the employer’s chance to get to know you as an applicant. It should set out your interest in the opportunity in a professional yet personal tone. Here’s how.

1. Know what’s expected of you

Understanding your reader is absolutely essential when you write a motivation letter, so carefully review the program or job opportunity before you start writing. What will the hiring manager or admissions officer be looking for when they read your letter?

Universities and scholarships typically look for proof of your academic curiosity and independent thinking, while a corporate employer will be more interested in your skills and career goals.

Check if there are any guidelines for the motivation letter — some organisations request a specific structure, word count, or key topics to cover. Ignoring these details can weaken your application.

2. Map out your goals and strengths

Take some time to reflect on what drives you. Why do you want this opportunity? What personal strengths make you a good fit?

Here are a few good questions to ask yourself:

• What excites me about this opportunity?
• How will this opportunity help me achieve my goals?
• What skills or experiences set me apart from other applicants?

Your motivation letter is a chance to tell your story. A clear sense of purpose will make your story more compelling and authentic.

3. Compose a strong introduction

A great motivation letter introduction pitches your strengths and personal voice. As your opening statement shapes how the employer will read your application, it’s worth putting some time and thought into its contents.

A reliable approach is to put your qualifications front and center by mentioning your academic background, years of experience, or areas of expertise. Then, show personality by highlighting interests or career goals that align with the opportunity:

I saw on LinkedIn that you’re looking to fill a journalism internship. As a broadcast journalism major with a longstanding passion for media and storytelling, I’d be the perfect fit. Since junior high, I’ve actively pursued my interest in journalism in both my two-year role as a reporter for my high school newspaper and more recently as a freelance writer for Teen Voice magazine. Now I’m finally studying to be a professional journalist, I couldn’t be more excited to develolop my professional skills through your internship.

What’s great about this opening statement is it’s personal. The writer is applying for an internship, so they’ve emphasized their longstanding interest in journalism and highlighted some experience that will help them make the most of the position.

4. Structure your argument into the right format

Now you know how you plan to pitch yourself to the employer, it’s time to organize your supporting arguments into a professional letter format.

As motivation letters are normally quite concise, structure your thoughts by using a motivation letter template like the one below. This ensures your letter stays focused and you don’t go off on tangents.

5. Edit and proofread

Edit the contents of your letter first. Fix the grammar and spelling second.

When editing your motivation letter, remember the assignment. You’re trying to convince the reader to give you an opportunity — you’re not telling your life story. Make sure every sentence supports your main message. If something feels repetitive or off-topic, cut it.

Typos and errors will make your otherwise thoughtful application seem rushed and careless. Proofreading extensions like Grammarly will catch the most obvious errors, but you should still read through your letters line by line. Printing it out and reading on paper can give you a fresh perspective when you’ve been reworking your letter for an extended period.