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[sockgrad]

I don't think this question has been asked, but sorry if I'm being repetitive.  I'm in a humanities field.  For the writing sample of a doctoral application, is a published article the ideal sample to use?  I have an article in a second-tier but respectable journal and I would be happy to use this, but I also have a paper that I have written since this article (it's not published), and I think that it shows some improvement in my work.  I know that the writing sample should be showing your best research, but would a published paper make a better impression because it's been through a peer review process?

[inthelab]

What are you showcasing, quality of research (go with #1) or quality of writing (go with #2)? 

[ex_libris]

I would send the better work and make sure the published article was on my CV/noted in my SOP. That way the committee gets to read your best work but is also aware that you've published (and could look the other article up if they really felt the need to, though I can't imagine anyone taking the extra time).

Of course, I'm just in the application process myself, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[verysneaky]

I think ex_libris is right.

[systeme_d_]

As a DGS myself, I advise sending the unpublished paper.  The article will be on your CV or mentioned in your SOP, and adding the newer work as your writing sample will show continued productivity.  In other words, you didn't already "peak" with the article.

For others who may read this thread, IMHO, a writing sample absolutely should be your best work, but it is also a great thing if it reflects your most current scholarly interests.

[sockgrad]

Thank you everyone for your help.  I'll probably decide to send the newer paper.  

How important is it for this paper to have the same topic as my dissertation interests?  It may be close enough as far as the committee is concerned, but I'm not sure.  My newer paper is on "Marx's Das Kapital" rather than my hopeful dissertation topic of "20th century monetarism" (of course these aren't my real topics).  So there's obviously some resemblance in topic, but some differences too.  Would this be out of place in an application?  Would it show an encouraging breadth of interests or just scattered interests?

[artsy_122]

I think you want to be careful about saying you know exactly what you want to do for your dissertation.  I got the feeling when I was talking to programs during the application stage that it was good to have a rough idea (I want to study basket weaving and possibly gender in region x) - but if your project was too defined it looked like you were just looking for someone to fund your project.  Plus, coursework and a few more years of thinking about it is likely to change what you will do.  I am working on my dissertation right now...  and I would have never guessed that this would be my topic and niche before I started the program.  And I wouldn't change a thing.  So you want to balance the impression that you have thought about specific research interests and where your work is going with the thought that it could change.  A couple people in my program have had DRASTIC changes in what they wanted to do...  and that sort of thing is ok!

So don't worry if the writing sample is not already a chapter for your dissertation.  It shows you can think on your own?  It shows you understand the field?  Then you are good!