Cover Letter/letter Of Introduction Writing printable pdf download

Lesson Plan 5

COVER LETTER/LETTER OF INTRODUCTION WRITING

OBJECTIVE:

Upon successful completion, students will be able to create an effective cover letter outlining their interest in

applying for a position/college/internship/scholarship utilizing proper business letter format.

CAREER PREPARATION LEARNING RESULTS MET OR PARTIALLY MET:

B.1. Use a career planning process that includes self-assessment, personal development, and a career portfolio

as a way to gain initial entry into the workplace.

B.2. Demonstrate job seeking skills.

SKILLS UTILIZED:

Listening, English grammar and composition, business etiquette, keyboarding, editing

NECESSARY SUPPLIES:

1. Copies of the Maine Career Advantage Career Portfolio.

2. Copies of Cover Letter Tips and Suggestions

3. Copies of Cover Letter Guide.

4. Copies of Sample Cover Letter #1 and Sample Cover Letter #2.

5. Copies of Sample Letter of Introduction.

TIME REQUIRED:

45 minutes

NOTE: A block period would allow students the opportunity to draft a letter and get initial feedback while in

the classroom.

LESSON PROCEDURE:

1. Discuss the importance of the cover letter/letter of introduction. It is usually the first piece of an application

that is read. As the commercial says, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

2. Hand out copies of the Cover Letter Guide. Walk students through the important parts of a business letter

including heading, inside address, salutation, and the complimentary closing.

3. Hand out copies of Cover Letter Tips and Suggestions... Highlight the important items mentioned. Many

students believe that “minor” errors can’t hurt them when it comes to applying for a job, scholarship, or college.

Give students a few minutes to read and critique the sample letter. Ask them to suggest how it could be

improved.

4. Stress that punctuation and grammar are vital components of a letter. A business manager or college

admissions representative may need to see nothing more than one misspelled word to decide that the applicant is

not worth a second look.

5. Assist students in determining where to “send” their letter. They should make the letter as real as possible by

picking a business of interest. A student interested in becoming an engineer should address it to an employer

that may hire engineers. The phone book or local chamber of commerce directory will be of assistance to them.

ASSIGNMENT:

Students will create a draft cover letter directed to a business in a field of their interest.

SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP:

Rather than the teacher simply correcting the rough draft, it may prove useful to have students engage in a peer

review session. This will give students an opportunity to see other writing styles, both good and bad.

LP5 – Cover Letters

Cover Letter/letter Of Introduction Writing