ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research

Jamie Larsen, Instructor

Week 4 - Activity 1 - Peer Review

1. Use the 1-2 e-mail id(s) that I previously sent to you (your study buddies for this peer review)
2. Send your resume and application letter draft file(s) to each person and copy me on the e-mail. You may choose to send a planning email instead where your group discusses an alternate method for this peer review, and that's fine. Copy me on any correspondence that your group conducts (jlarsen@unity.ncsu.edu).

NOTE: A suggestion for ease of file submission - In your application letter file, insert a page break, do an edit/copy of your resume text, and copy it into the second page in your application file to include both documents in one file. This may ease file exchanging, as well as final file submission to me.

3. Print out each file (I will be doing this when I grade the final drafts). This assignment is based on creating hard copy documents so assessing how these look on paper is important.
4. Read each letter first and mark the following:

• FACT: Does the opening clearly identify the author, his/her major, school, and objective? Is a good transition provided to the rest of the letter (do you have an idea of what is coming in the letter's content)?
• TACT: Is the overall tone positive? Is the content appropriate or too much? Has the author selected a few skills/experiences/classes to show particular strengths and uniqueness, or does this seem like a repeat of the resume?
• ACT: Does the letter motivate you to want to read more about this person? Is the resume referenced and is an interview requested?
• OVERALL: Does the letter follow a professional business letter format? Note any awkward wording. Remember, proofreading is the author's responsibility (see Class Policies) so you do not need to edit this for each grammar error you see. You may note this in a general way to the author in your follow-up e-mail.

5. Read each resume and mark the following:

• Is all contact information on the resume the same as on the letter? Is the author's name prominent? Does the resume fill up 1 or 2 full pages?
• Is the career objective (if provided) reader centered? Does it state what the person will do for the potential employer?
• Is Education, and all other sections including dates, in reverse chronological order with most recent first?
• Does the experience section highlight responsibilities and are lists parallel (i.e., each bullet begins with the same tense verb)?
• Are the headings informative and creative?
• Does the resume STAND OUT? If not, note something that will make this resume unique and more professional. If so, note that.

6. Send an e-mail to the author of each letter and resume and list your comments succintly and specifically (each group member must send his/her own, individual email to the other group members). Copy me on this e-mail (this is what will get you full credit for completing this activity). Be substantive, positive, and constructive. Note at least one good thing about each document, and one thing that could be improved on each. As Thomas Edison said, "There's a way to do it better. Find it."