The Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Expected Outcomes

Stage 3
Unit 3 Assignment 2, 4
Unit 4 Assignment 4

Stage 4 Academic
Unit 1 Assignment 1
Unit 2 Assignment 1, 2

Stage 4 Employment
Unit 3 Assignment 1 - 3
Unit 4 Assignment 2
Unit 8 Assignment 2
Unit 9 Assignment 1, 3
Unit 14 Assignment 1

DescriptionPen and Paper Method

1. The students will work on this assignment individually. Have the students find an ad for a job for which they would be interested in applying. This may be found in the newspaper, in a magazine, on a job board at an employment office, on the Internet, etc. However, the job ad that they choose should list some of the qualifications for which the potential employer is looking.

2. Using the blackline master entitled, Cover Letter Overview, discuss with the class the different parts and layout of a cover letter. This guide is suggesting the use of the full-block format.

3. The teacher should have a mock example of a job ad to place on the overhead. As a class, review the job ad and create a cover letter (either together on the blackboard or in small groups) that would be suitable for the position being offered.

4. Now, having practiced the writing of a cover letter, have the students write a cover letter for the ad they found. The teacher may want the students to hand in their cover letters with their resumes adjusted to the position for which they are applying in order to give the students the full impression of what is required when applying for a job.

Sub-skills Needed:

1. Co-operative learning strategies
2. Writing strategies

Materials Needed

1. Resources from which the students may find job ads
2. Overhead with a mock job ad on it
Copies of the blackline master entitled, Cover Letter Overview - one for each student

Resources

MacLean, Cathy et al. Adult Basic Education Communications, Module 5: Putting It All Together: Writing for Work. Province of British Columbia: Ministry of Education, Skills and Training, 1995.

Tessier, Angela. The Job Seeker's Handbook: A Supporting Guide for Literacy Instructors. Winnipeg: Employment Projects for Women Inc., 1997.

Bertram, Chris, Judy Johnson, and Frances Molaro. ESL Job Search Handbook: Second Edition: Adult ESL Curriculum Resource. Winnipeg: Settlement and Adult Language Training Branch Manitoba Culture, Heritage & Citizenship, 1998.

Computer IntegrationComputer Integration

The students will use the word processing program to create their cover letters in full-block format. The students may use one of the letter Templates provided in the program in order to create their letter, or they may create their letter from scratch.

See Computer Curriculum Guide:

Start Microsoft Word Section One, Pg. 1
Enter Text in a Document Section One, Pg. 11
Apply Bold, Italic or Underline Section Two, Pg. 5
Check Spelling and Grammar Section One, Pg. 18
Change Font, Font Sizes, and Colours Section Two, Pg. 15
Templates Section Nine, Pg. 1
Letter Wizard Section Nine, Pg. 6
Save a Document Section One, Pg. 13
Preview and Print a Document Section One, Pg. 14

Evaluation

Writing Rubrics and Checklists
  • Business Letter Rubric
  • Student Writing Assessment Checklist
Employment Rubrics and Checklists
  • Cover Letter Checklists

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