ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research

Jamie Larsen, Instructor

Professional Evaluation of Application Letters

Professional Evaluation of Letter Content

As with the résumés, the letter with the lowest score would be the most persuasive one for Kelly to send, the one most likely to result in an interview.

Ranking		*Sufficient:*
1		Letter 1: all information needed by audience is included; letter elaborates effectively on both work experience and education; claim about interpersonal relationship skills is backed up
3		Letter 3: too short; no phone; most information given merely repeats résumé data and is vague; claim about interpersonal and communication skills not supported
2		Letter 2: no elaboration on education; too many ways to be reached - confusing
		*Typical:*
1		Letter 1: letter emphasizes that work experience is typical and extensive; key words (JAVA; C++) are included
3		Letter 3: JAVA mentioned but not C++; web-related activities (which would be typical) are barely mentioned
2		Letter 2: work experience is typical and extensive; no mention of JAVA
		*Accurate:*
1		Letter 1: no apparent errors; all acronyms defined
3		Letter 2: "relevant" is misspelled; "extended" should be "extensive"; discrepancy in employment req.# between SUBJ line and 1st paragraph
2		Letter 3: acronyms are not defined
		*Relevant:*
1		Letter 1: claim about interpersonal relationship skills is related to employer's needs; even more detail would strengthen this claim
3		Letter 2: vague rather than specific mention of what applicant will do for employer
2		Letter 3: letter wastes valuable space with redundancies (enclosed résumé is mentioned four times); too much emphasis on what company can do for applicant
		*Tone:*
1		Letter 1: tone is assertive but pleasant and not pushy; talks knowledgeably about how work experience has met the needs of several employers; shows sensitivity to the need to work with diverse people
2		Letter 2: "I feel" is not assertive enough-seems uncertain; doesn't offer much more than the résumés so not much opportunity to hear any "voice"
3		Letter 3: some readers might find "the most suitable" and the "if you don't call me, I'll call you" comments to be a touch on the arrogant side; Many sentences begin with "I am/ I have"; this pushy, self-centered tone could create anxiety or defensiveness in the audience.

Professional Evaluator's Totals:

	Letter 1:		6
	Letter 2:		16
	Letter 3:		14

Letter 1 is the most persuasive letter for Kelly to send.