|
Click on each of the links below to see the text referenced by the annotation. Scroll up and down in the document to see examples of the annotation. (In Netscape 2, you must reload and scroll to see the annotations in the right frame.) Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.
|
|
Application letter. In this application letter, the writer seeks an interview for a quality assurance management job. He summarizes the parts of his work experience that relate directly to the job.
Heading. The heading portion of a business letter includes the writer's address and date. For traditional business letters, you don't normally include your name in the heading. Inside address. The inside address provides the full name, title, and address of the recipient of the letter. If you do not have a specific name, call the company or use some other strategy to find a name. An department name or a position title (which is used in this example) will work just fine. Salutation. In this portion of the letter, use the same name as you used in the inside address. Note: Punctuate the salutation with a colon—not a comma (which is for informal, friendly, nonbusiness letters). Introduction. The introduction to any business letter should be brief—four or five lines at the most. In this application letter, the writer indicates the purpose of the letter (to apply for an employment opening), cites the specific job title, mentions how he heard about the opening, and summarizes his best qualifications. Experience section. In this first of two experience sections, the writer provides an overview of his work related to the job he is seeking. This paragraph could be improved by listing a few specific company names and perhaps some of the projects he has been involved. The phrase "all areas of Quality Assurance" is weak: listing some specific areas by name would make this statement more credible and more effective. Experience/Education section. In this paragraph, the writer brings out a number of powerful details to support to his candidacy for the job. Notice that specific titles, specific organizations, and specific dates are cited. Wrap-up. This final portion of the application letter contains the concluding paragraph and the signature block. Writers typically include information about contacting them, such as phone numbers, dates, and times, as is done in this example. When you write an application letter, don't forget to sign in the open area above your typed name. Also don't forget to indicate the enclosure of the resume.
|
| Interested in courses related to this page or a printed version? See the resources page. | Return to the main menu of this online textbook for technical writing. |