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Lesson 1

We will revise our Section 3 Diagnostic into a cover letter for our portfolios.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I revisit, refine, and revise my understanding, knowledge, and work based on discussions with others and feedback and review by myself and others?

  • Can I work productively in various roles with other participants?

  • Can I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?

  • Can I apply correct and effective syntax, usage, mechanics, and spelling to communicate ideas and achieve intended purposes?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read

We will learn how to write cover letters.

A cover letter is a one-page introduction about you and your skills. It should be presented to a specific audience: a college recruiter reviewing your application packet or a potential employer, for example.

In a cover letter, you introduce yourself, provide illustrative examples of your relevant experiences, and explain your skills so the reader will consider you for the program or job. A cover letter complements your résumé; it does not mimic it. It can pull from the facts in your résumé, but it adds a personal touch.

As such, it is important for cover letters to be professional and written in standard English grammar with correct punctuation and accurate spelling.

Take notes in your Learning Log about the following sections in a cover letter:

  1. Start with a salutation (Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name).

  2. Follow with an introduction that explains what program or company you are applying to. Briefly mention why your skills and experiences are a match for the program or position.

  3. Form the body paragraphs that explain why you are interested in the program and why you are an excellent applicant. Mention specific qualifications and describe how you meet those qualifications.

  4. End the body with a closing statement that reiterates how your skills make you a strong fit.

  5. Add a closing (Sincerely, Regards), a signature line, and your signature.

Activity 2: Read – Write

We will use our résumés to revise our section 3 diagnostic into a cover letter for our portfolios.

Read your Section 3 Diagnostic. Respond to the following questions:

  1. What in my diagnostic should I include in my cover letter?

  2. What am I missing in my diagnostic that I should have in my cover letter?

  3. Do I provide illustrative examples of my skills that describe why I would be a perfect match for the program I am applying to? If I do not, how can I add them?

  4. Do I use complex conventions and formal language?

  5. Do I vary my writing by using all three of the complex conventions within my response: the colon, semicolon, and em dash?

  6. Do I use precise vocabulary specific to my pathway?

  7. Is there anything from my résumé that I should have included in my Section 3 Diagnostic?

Write a cover letter by using your Section 3 Diagnostic as the first draft.

Complete your cover letter as homework if you do not complete the task by the close of the lesson. You will need to add your cover letter to your portfolio at the beginning of the next lesson.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

We will peer review each others’ cover letters in our pathway groups.

Exchange your cover letter and résumé with your peer review partner in your pathway group.

Peer review your partner’s cover letter by using the questions on the Cover Letter Peer Review.

Once you complete the peer review, discuss the guiding questions based on what you found in your partner’s paper.