English Question
| Style | APA |
| Number of words | 1436 |
| Number of sources | 0 |
| Spacing | Double |
| PowerPoint slides | 0 |
Question
Can you help me understand this English question?
What aspects of the letter’s argument are most convincing? How could they be improved or expanded in the paper?
What aspects of the letter’s argument (what parts) are least convincing?
Do you feel the letter is lacking any discussion, issues or topics we discussed in class?
Having heard my clarification of the need for specific evidence in terms of course work, faculty and other relevant and interesting academic evidence or experience, does the writer seem to have done enough work on this specialized and even technical research and writing? This really concerns the “authority” of the writer. Has he or she established a knowledgeable persona, one who can speak to the richness of the experience in this major and discipline?
How are the transitions between sections/topics/arguments/paragraphs? Provide a little feedback on the flow of the letter.
How would you evaluate the writer’s use of outside sources? Do you sense a need for more specific references? Do you sense any “accidental” plagiarism (need for citation)?
Do you see some obvious sentence-level errors, such as run-on sentences, fragments, or simply sentences (parts of paragraphs) that don’t seem very clear or concise? Sometimes simply pointing-out that the writing is confusing, or wordy is enough to get the writer to review some of his/her writing.
Do the paragraphs seem to have a solid focus and structure? Again, make a note on this part of the writing, reflecting on some of our discussion in class.
Is there a sense of ethos not only in the writer (knowledge, experience, passion and values), but also in the work done in that major or field/discipline? Ethos should emanate from the writer and, in this case, his or her major/department, as well.
Do you have any feedback on the paper format? In the end, this is a 4-5 page paper, not including the Works Cited page, double-spaced (pretty much in MLA format). Do they seem on track to write a paper that addresses the prompt in 4-5 pages? Anything else about the format?
This should help you see a simple, logical way to organize your letter/paper. I wouldn’t deviate too much from this approach.
I do know that some of you will be discussing the professors of the courses you include in your discourse analysis.
That might mean that your Curriculum and Faculty sections are intertwined a bit.
That’s fine, but make sure you organize for clarity and that your paragraphing enhances this clarity.
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Letter of Recruitment Outline Template
Below, each section represents a paragraph or section of paragraphs.
Introduction. Look at the sample Letters of Recruitment on Canvas for ideas. An introduction is a place to set your tone (as in anyintroduction). You are welcoming the reader to the department, thechallenge of this important decision: choosing a major. Establishingyour inviting and gracious tone can be short, focused and charming.
Start to introduce the curriculum. That’s how most students arrange this letter. Some will provide a BRIEF overview of courses, units required, etc., but they then begin to discuss the 2-3 specific courses, some specific work in these courses that will entice the reader, informthe reader of some of the more technical work, etc. Building your authority in this letter is paramount. The technical, discipline-specific parts of this letter will make or break this academic authority.
Next is the faculty. Some of you might want to discuss the professors while you are talking about the course in the section above (see:curriculum). That makes sense. But often students discuss 2-3courses, in the previous section, and then 2-3 professors in a different section. You can mix this strategy. You might discuss one of the professors as you are explaining the curriculum. And then 2 other professors in this section we’re calling the faculty section of your paper.
Department/major facilities might enhance your argument. Facilities might also be part of the discussion of curriculum. Explaining the kind of work spaces and/or tools or simulations students have access to can be quite interesting and illustrative of your major and professional discourse.
Students often move to internships, clubs, or organizations that are affiliated with the major/department. Be specific if you can and hopefully this discussion can shed light on the discourse (what a speaker talked about at a club meeting, what an organization does in the community, etc.).
Study abroad might be another section/discussion that can enhance your LoR. I talked about how the academic part of a study abroad trip would be quite interesting. Sharing how you traveled and partied in a foreign city doesn’t quite do enough for a letter like this (some clever writing might be able to do a bit of both: the academic and exciting cultural experience).
You might talk briefly about job opportunities for people graduating with this major; students have cited Department of Labor statistics, or given some data on salaries, different professions, job titles, etc.
That’s a wrap! Provide a nice brief farewell. See the samples for ideas, too.
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