A statement of purpose (SOP) is often referred to as a personal statement. It is often 800 - 1000 letters long. An SOP is a vital component of a graduate school application. The SOP explains to admissions committees your background, academic and professional interests, and how you will contribute to the graduate program you are applying to.
You can describe who you are and why the university's community should accept you in your statement of purpose. It allows the admissions committee to get to know you better and determine how you'll benefit the classroom.

What do universities look for in SOP?
Universities look at your SOP to make a decision regarding your application. The admissions committee looks for your outlook on life, your professional objectives, your convictions, your subject expertise, and your vision. Simply put, a university looks for a picture of your complete personality in your SOP.

What to include in an SOP?
Here is a list of mandatory things you need to include in your SOP:

Your personal background
The financial background that you come from
The academic details from your previous levels of education
If you have any professional experience (full-time, part-time, or volunteer), please list it.
Immediate and long-term goals
Reasons why you wish to study at this particular institution
Reasons of being interested in the chosen field
About extra-curricular activities
Published works, if any
Papers submitted, if any
Interests, hobbies
 
What not to do while writing an SOP?
The one and only thing you need to remember while writing an SOP is that it should be genuine. It should be your personal statement that reflects who you are as a person. In the case of any plagiarized or copied SOP from the internet, students will be immediately barred from applying again to the university.
 

Here are some tips you could use while writing an SOP:

Keep it simple and stick to the overview. Write a brief family history.
Keep your banking details private. You will need different paperwork if you are seeking scholarships.
Professionally little details. Discuss life lessons rather than conversations at the water cooler.
Do not use more words than are permitted.
Be direct, and avoid using flattering phrases.
Don't use too many specialized words.
Avoid lying in your statement of purpose; doing so could get you rejected.
Avoid using colorful papers or fonts.
Don't say that the institution was your second option in your essay.
Humor can backfire, so use it with caution!
 
How do I write a good SOP?

Plan It Well
Make an outline for your SOP, then follow it. An excellent technique to use to construct your introduction is to share an anecdote that sparked your interest in the topic. List your pertinent accomplishments and skills, create points and categories, and, most importantly, explain why you chose the course and the university.

Work On A Draft
With your schooling and professional experience behind you, concentrate on sharing what you've learned. When creating your SOP, try to avoid using too much technical terminology and stick to active voice. Address any issues with the gap year or academics in a positive way. Make sure the start and end of your SOP are both distinct. Keep in mind that your SOP should always be written in reverse chronological order.

Review Before You Send It
Checking what you've written is crucial. The flow, vocabulary, grammatical faults, extended phrases, and other flaws can all be improved with a second analysis. Ask your lecturer, a senior, or an IDP counselor for a second opinion. Before submitting, make sure to properly proofread and double-check.