Page 2 Effective Cover Letters
Completion requirements
Effective Cover Letters
Final Assignment: Film Review and Cover Letter
Your cover letter will be the first contact you will make with the local newspaper. How you present yourself will form their first impression of you. Your cover letter and film review together will influence their decision in whether or not they will ask you to interview for the position.
Let's take a few minutes to review/learn the format of a cover letter and some strategies to make your cover letter memorable.
Your name
Your address
Your telephone number
Your email address
The date
Greeting/Salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Last name of the hiring manager),
Your introductory paragraph should demonstrate your enthusiasm and grab the reader's attention.
In your second paragraph, show what you have to offer! What new readers are they trying to attract with the film review section of the paper? Relate your experience to their audience.
In your third paragraph, show that you really want this specific job. Highlight key aspects of your sample film review that showcase your skills and will help them reach their target audience.
Concluding statement: Indicate your eagerness to meet with them and speak further about what you have to offer the newspaper. Re-state your commitment to helping the newspaper reach its goals.
Sincerely,
[Signature}
Your address
Your telephone number
Your email address
The date
The Gazette
33 Main Street
Yourtown, AB
T5P 1Y8
33 Main Street
Yourtown, AB
T5P 1Y8
Your introductory paragraph should demonstrate your enthusiasm and grab the reader's attention.
In your second paragraph, show what you have to offer! What new readers are they trying to attract with the film review section of the paper? Relate your experience to their audience.
In your third paragraph, show that you really want this specific job. Highlight key aspects of your sample film review that showcase your skills and will help them reach their target audience.
Concluding statement: Indicate your eagerness to meet with them and speak further about what you have to offer the newspaper. Re-state your commitment to helping the newspaper reach its goals.
Sincerely,
[Signature}
Strategies for Writing an Effective Cover Letter
- Consider your audience. Why are they hiring? What goals do they hope to achieve?
- Express your qualifications with a personable voice. Speak to what you could bring to the position you are applying for. How will your skills and experiences help you relate to their audience?
- Introduce and highlight supporting documents you have provided with your application. What do you want them to notices about your sample film review?
- Time is money. Your cover letter should be concise and to the point. Generally, a cover letter should not exceed a page in length. Choose your words carefully.
Prorfread! Prooferad?Proofread! Use your spell-checker. Read and re-read your letter aloud. Ask someone else to read it as well. Remember, this letter is your first impression with the newspaper. An error-free letter shows your communication skills, your responsibility, and your care about the position.
The structure of a business letter is important. Here is another overview of how to plan and organize one correctly:
Business Letter Content
Business Letter Content
The Provincial Achievement Test for Language Arts 9 and the Final Exam for this course will both require students to compose an appropriate business letter. The rubric used in the PAT will be the same as the one used for the letters in this course.
IF you would like to see an example of a business letter exam question and an 'acceptable' level of student work for this component, click here.
IF you would like to see an example of a business letter exam question and an 'acceptable' level of student work for this component, click here.