Introduction
Letter is as an indispensable tool of communication in business. Business letters are used to sell the products, make inquiry about customers or prices of goods, seek information and advice, maintain good public relation, increase goodwill and perform a variety of other business functions. With the continuous growth of commerce and industry, usefulness and importance of business letter are also increasing gradually. One example of business letter is the application letter. A letter of application is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information about your skills and experience. The letter of application is intended to provide detailed information on why you are a qualified candidate for the job for which you are applying. Effective application letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and identify your most relevant skills or experiences.
At some point in your career you will have to write a letter of application. This is probably one of the most important letters you will ever have to write. The employer will probably have dozens of letters in response to their advertisement and yours needs to stand out from the rest. You must use this opportunity to create the right impression.
Task
1. Construct a job application letter using the standard block- styled format.
2. Revise an informal job application letter to make it more appropriate as formal letter.
3. Identify parts of a formal business letter.
Process
You will work individually to complete this task.
1. Visit (https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/business-letters/ ) and read examples of job application letters.
2.Based on the samples you`ve read construct your own job application letter (#1).
3. Again for task #2, based on the samples you’ve read rewrite the informal letter (worksheet 1) to make it more formal
4. Identify the different parts of business letter by answering worksheet 2 (#3).
Evaluation
EVALUATION
|
|
ADVANCE 5 pts. |
PROFICIENT 3 pts. |
BASIC 2 pts. |
MINIMAL 1 pt. |
|
Format: Full Block Style |
Format is correct: Placement, spacing and alignment are correct, including address, date, inside address, salutation, body, closing, and signature. |
One part of the format is incorrect: |
Two parts of the format are incorrect: |
Several parts of the format are incorrect: Placement, spacing and alignment are correct, including address, date, inside address, salutation, body, closing, and signature. |
|
Heading |
Includes your address, date, inside address. Date in correct format. |
Missing one component of the following: address, date, inside address, correct date format |
Missing two components of the following: address, date, inside address, correct date format |
Missing three or more components of the following: address, date, inside address, correct date format |
|
Salutation |
A proper salutation is used. Proper use of title, proper capitalization and use of the name, and the proper use of the colon are all included. |
Missing one component from the following: Proper salutation, proper use of title, proper use of name, proper capitalization of the name, or the proper use of the colon. |
Missing two components from the following: Proper salutation, proper use of title, proper use of name, proper capitalization of the name, or the proper use of the colon. |
Missing three or more components from the following: |
|
Body (Content) |
Body includes at least two complete paragraphs. The purpose is clearly stated. There is discussion/justification of main points. Action steps are stated clearly. A clear idea is stated in each paragraph and conveyed to the reader. |
Missing one component from the following: The purpose is clearly stated. There is discussion/justification of main points. Action steps are stated clearly. A clear idea is stated in each paragraph and conveyed to the reader. |
Missing two components from the following: The purpose is clearly stated. There is discussion/justification of main points. Action steps are stated clearly. A clear idea is stated in each paragraph and conveyed to the reader. |
Missing three or more components from the following: |
|
Closing and Signature |
Proper closing and signature are included with proper punctuation. |
Proper closing and signature are included, but no punctuation is used. |
Either proper closing or proper signature is correct. (One is incorrect.) |
An attempt was made, but neither the closing nor signature is correct. |
|
Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar |
Spelling, punctuation (within the body and heading) and grammar are completely correct. |
Spelling, punctuation (within the body and heading) and grammar are mostly correct (1 error). |
Several errors with spelling, punctuation (within the body and heading) and grammar (2 errors). |
Many errors in spelling, punctuation (within the body and heading) and grammar. (Errors >2). |
Conclusion
This activity will help you write business letters required in many different situations, from applying for a job to requesting or delivering information. While the examples that are discussed specifically are the application letter, this lesson also highlights strategies for effective business writing in general.