Usage and tips for writing
"
1. Fill in the first sentence with the right adjectives and in the second with the right nouns, derived from the following verbs:
'educate, select, apply, employ'
A CV (resume in the
2. Fill in the text with the nouns derived from the words given in the second column:
|
The focus of the resume ___________ is _________________, effective design, and _____________ to audience _____________. |
assign readable adapt expect |
3. Follow the instructions in brackets for each sentence:
If you make up a few details in your resume, that's okay.
(turn into the Indirect Speech beginning with: 'They told her..')
If you have little work experience, try to create a resume that represents your current skills, abilities, and background.
(turn into If3)
Developing a decent-looking resume based on what you are now is a challenge that you have to deal with at some point.
( turn the last part into the Passive Voice)
4. Match the beginnings of the sentences with their ends:
|
Before personal computers, people used one resume However, with less expensive desktop publishing and high-quality printing, people For example, a person who seeks employment both with a community college The contents of the two might be roughly the 242c28c same, but the organization, |
a) sometimes rewrite their resumes for every new job they go after. b) format, and emphases would be quite different. c) and with a software-development company would use two different resumes. d) for varied kinds of employment searches. |
5. Choose the structure that best fits:
a) is b) isn't c) its
a) to writing b) in write c) to write
a) needs b)requires c)wants
a) this b) thus c) than
a) from b) for c) of
a) you are b) are you c)you're
7. a) which b) whose c) what
8. a) for b) after c) up
9. a) employment b) employee c) unemployment
a) owe b) own c) owl
a) through b) though c) thought
a)found b) find c) founded
There __1__ no one right way __2__ a resume. Every person's background, employment __3__, and career objectives are different, __4__ necessitating various resume designs. Every detail, every aspect __5__ your resume must start with who__6__, what your background is, __7__ the potential employer is looking __8__, and what your __9__ goals are - not with some prefab design. Therefore design your __10__ resume; browse __11__ the various formats until you __12__ one that works for you.
&
Resumes can be divided into three sections: the heading, the body, and the conclusion. Each of these sections has fairly common contents.
Heading. The top third of the resume is the heading. It contains your name, phone numbers, address, and other details such as your occupation, titles, and so on. Some resume writers include the name of their profession, occupation, or field. In some examples, you'll see writers putting things like "CERTIFIED PHYSICAL THERAPIST" very prominently in the heading. Headings can also contain a goals and objectives subsection and a highlights subsection.
Body. In a one-page resume, the body is the middle portion, taking up a half or more of the total space of the resume. In this section, you present the details of your work, education, and military experience. This information is arranged in reverse chronological order. In the body section, you also include your accomplishments, for example, publications, certifications, equipment you are familiar with, and so on. There are many ways to present this information:
You can divide it functionally - into separate sections for work experience and education.
You can divide it thematically - into separate sections for the different areas of your experience and education.
Conclusion. In the final third or quarter of the resume, you can present other related information on your background. For example, you can list activities, professional associations, memberships, hobbies, and interests. At the bottom of the resume, people often put "REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST" and the date of preparation of the resume. At first, you might think that listing nonwork and personal information would be totally irrelevant and inappropriate. Actually, it can come in handy - it personalizes you to potential employers.
To begin planning your resume, decide which type of resume you need. This decision is in part based on requirements that prospective employers may have, and in part based on what your background and employment needs are.
Type of organization. Resumes can be defined according to how information on work and educational experience is handled. There are several basic, commonly used plans or designs you can consider using.
Functional design: the functional design starts with a heading; then presents either education or work experience, whichever is stronger or more relevant; then presents the other of these two sections; then ends with a section on skills and certifications and one on personal information. Students who have not yet begun their careers often find this design the best for their purposes.
Thematic design: Another approach to resumes is the thematic design. It divides your experience and education into categories such as project management, budgetary planning, financial tracking, personnel management, customer sales, technical support, publications - whichever areas describe your experience. Often, these categories are based directly on typical or specific employment advertisements. If the job advertisement says that Company ABC wants a person with experience in training, customer service, and sales, then it might be a smart move to design thematic headings around those three requirements.
"
1. Fill in with each verb in the right place:
'find, use, take, want'
If you ________ to ________ the thematic approach in your resume, ________ a look at your employment and educational experience and ________ the common threads: project management, program development, troubleshooting, supervision, maintenance, inventory control?
Match the beginnings with the endings of the sentences:
|
Take a look at the job announcement you're responding to - what Use these themes to design the These themes become the headings Under these headings you list the employment |
a) body section of your resume. b) or educational experience that applies. c) are the three, four, or five key requirements it mentions? d) in the body of the resume. |
3. Rearrange the fragments in the sentence:
a) a heading like "FINANCIAL RECORDS,"
b) and bookkeeping courses you
c) and the jobs where you actually
d) on Lotus 123 or EXCEL you took
e) took in college, the seminars
f) you might list the accounting
For example, under ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___used these skills.
&
Type of information. Types of resumes can be defined according to the amount and kind of information they present:
Objective resumes: This type just gives dates, names, titles, no qualitative salesmanship information. The objective-resume style is useful in resumes that use the thematic approach or that emphasize the summary/highlights section. By its very nature, you can see that the thematic approach is unclear about the actual history of employment. It's harder to tell where the person was, what she was doing, year by year. It's not advisable to use it unless requested.
Detailed resumes: This type provides not only dates, titles, and names, but also details about your responsibilities and statements about the quality and effectiveness of your work. This is the type most people write.
1. Fill in the text with a two letter word in each gap:
General layout has __ do with the design and location __ the heading, the headings for the individual sections, and the orientation of the detailed text __ relation to those headings. Detail formats are the way you choose __ arrange and present the details __ your education and work experience.
2. Put each characteristic in its place:
'far, scannable, actual, shorter, readable, centred'
General layout. Some resumes have the headings_________; others are on the left margin. The _________ text - the paragraphs - of resumes typically does not extend to the _________ left and the far right margins. Full-length lines are not considered as _________ or _________ as the _________ ones.
3. Underline the right structure in brackets:
(Many / Much) resumes use a "hanging-head" format. In this case, (a head / the heading) starts on the far left margin (when / while) the text is indented another inch or so. This format makes the heading (sit down / stand out) more and the text more scannable. In some (from / of) the text paragraphs of resumes, (special / especially) typography is used to highlight the name of the organization or the job (title / entitle).
&
Detail formats. You have to make a fundamental decision about how you present the details of your work and education experience.
The elements you work with include:
Occupation, position, job title
Company or organization name
Time period you were there
Key details about your accomplishments and responsibilities while there.
There are many different ways to format this information. It all depends on what you want to emphasize and how much or how little information you have (whether you are struggling to fit it all on one page or struggling to make it fill one page).
Highlights, summary section. The "Highlights" section occurs just below the heading (the section for name, address, phone number, etc.) and just above the main experience and education sections. This is an increasingly popular section in resumes. Resume specialists believe that the eye makes first contact with a page somewhere one-fourth to one-third of the way down the page, not at the very top. If you believe that, then it makes sense to put your very best stuff at that point. Therefore, some people list their most important qualifications, their key skills, their key work experience in that space on the page. Actually, this section is useful more for people who have been in their careers for a while. It's a good way to create one common spot on the resume to list those key qualifications about yourself that may be spread throughout the resume. Otherwise, these key details about yourself are scattered across your various employment and educational experience - in fact, buried in them.
Objectives, goals. Also found on some resumes is a section just under the heading in which you describe what your key goals or objectives are or what your key qualifications are. Some resume writers shy away from including a section like this because they fear it may cause certain employers to stop reading, in other words, that it limits their possibilities. A key-qualifications section is similar to a highlights section, but shorter and in paragraph rather than list form.
"Choose the structure that best fits:
Amplifications page.
a) many b) a lot of c) lots
a) convey b) conveying c) to convey
a) does not b) do not c) not
a) specialists b) special c) specially
a) have experience b) experienced c) experience
a) of the resume b) to a resume c) for resume
7. a) another b) an c) a
8. a) exhausting b) expansive c) extensive
9. a) writers b) writes c) writer
a) about b) above c) after
a) manager b) managed c) manage
a) tail b) detailed c) detail
13. a) which b) where c) what
Some people have __1__ detail that they want __2__ about their qualifications but that __3__ fit well in any of the typical resume designs. For example, certain computer __4__ can list dozens of hardware and software products they __5__ with - and they feel they must list all this in the resume. To keep the main part __6__ from becoming unbalanced and less readable, they shift all of this detail to __7__ amplifications page. There, the computer specialist can categorize and list all that __8__ experience in many different operating systems, hardware configurations, and software applications. Similarly, some resume __9__ want to show lots more detail __10__ the responsibilities and duties they have __11__ in past employment. The standard formats for resume design just do not accommodate this sort of __12__; and this is __13__ the amplifications page can be useful.
&
As you plan, write, or review your resume, keep these points in mind:
Readability: are there any dense paragraphs over 6 lines? Imagine your prospective employer sitting down to a two-inch stack of resumes. Do you think he/she's going to slow down to read through big thick paragraphs. Probably not. Try to keep paragraphs under 6 lines long.
White space. Picture a resume crammed with detail, using only half-inch margins all the way around, a small type size, and only a small amount of space between parts of the resume. Our prospective employer might be less inclined to pore through that also. Find ways to incorporate more white space in the margins and between sections of the resume.
Special format. Make sure that you use special format consistently throughout the resume. For example, if you use a hanging-head style for the work-experience section, use it in the education section as well.
Consistent margins. Most resumes have several margins: the outermost, left margin and at least one internal left margin. Typically, paragraphs in a resume use an internal margin, not the far-left margin. Make sure to align all appropriate text to these margins as well.
Terse writing style. It's okay to use a rather clipped, terse writing style in resumes, up to a point. The challenge in most resumes is to get it all on one page (or two if you have a lot of information to present). Instead of writing "I supervised a team of three accountants..." you write "Supervised a team of three accountants..." However, you don't leave out normal words such as articles.
Special typography. Use special typography, but keep it under control. Resumes are great places to use all of your fancy word-processing features such as bold, italics, different fonts, and different type sizes. Don't go crazy with it! Too much fancy typography can be distracting (plus make people think you are hyperactive).
Page fill. Do everything you can to make your resume fill out one full page and to keep it from spilling over by 4 or 5 lines to a second page. At the beginning of your career, it's tough filling up a full page of a resume. As you move into your career, it gets hard keeping it to one page. If you need a two-page resume, see that the second page is full or nearly full.
Clarity of boundary lines between major sections. Design and format your resume so that whatever the main sections are, they are very noticeable. Use well-defined headings and white space to achieve this. Similarly, design your resume so that the individual segments of work experience or education are distinct and separate from each other.
Reverse chronological order. Remember to list your education and work-experience items starting with the current or most recent and working backwards in time.
Consistency of bold, italics, different type size, caps, other typographical special effects. Also, whatever special typography you use, be consistent with it throughout the resume. If some job titles are italics, make them all italics. Avoid all-caps text - it's less readable.
Consistency of phrasing. Use the same style of phrasing for similar information in a resume - for example, past tense verbs for all work descriptions.
Consistency of punctuation style. For similar sections of information use the same kind of punctuation - for example, periods, commas, colons, or nothing.
Translations for "inside" information. Don't assume readers will know what certain abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols mean. Take time to describe special organizations you may be a member of.
Grammar, spelling, usage. Watch out for these problems on a resume.
Pattern
Curriculum Vitae
General information:
Personal data:
|
Name: | |
|
Date of birth: | |
|
Place of birth: | |
|
Marital status: | |
|
Nationality: | |
|
Address - private: | |
|
- office: | |
|
- tel./fax: | |
|
- e-mail: | |
|
Education: postgraduate studies -graduate studies -undergraduate studies | |
|
Previous experience - work: - extra-work: (associations, other activities) Other examinations passed: (acknowledgments, diplomas, certificates, awards etc.) | |
|
Present official position: | |
|
Knowledge of languages/ computer: | |
|
Other information: hobbies health driving licence | |
|
Referees: |
"Match each fragment from the first column to one in the second to get the right sentences
|
To begin planning your letter, decide This decision is in part based on requirements that employers may have, and in part In many ways, the types of application The types of application letters can be |
a) letters are like the types of resumes. b) which type of application letter you need. c) defined according to amount and kind of information. d) based on what your background and employment needs are. |
&
Objective letters. One type of letter says very little: it identifies the position being sought, indicates an interest in having an interview, and calls attention to the fact that the resume is attached. It also mentions any other special matters that are not included on the resume, such as dates and times when you are available to come in for an interview. This letter does no salesmanship and is very brief. (It may represent the true meaning of "cover" letter.)
Highlight letters. Another type of application letter tries to summarize the key information from the resume, the key information that will emphasize that you are a good candidate for the job. In other words, it selects the best information from the resume and summarizes it in the letter. This type of letter is specially designed to make the connection with the specific job.
"
1. Choose the words that best fit in the text:
a) for b) from c) at
a) satisfaction b) delight c) content
a) in b) of c) on
a) the b) their c) them
a) considering b) considered c) consider
a) more b) most c) much
7. a) typical b) typically c) typicals
8. a) into b) inside c) in
As __1__ the actual __2__ and organization __3__ the paragraphs within __4__ application letter, __5__ the following common approaches.
Introductory paragraph. That first paragraph of the application letter is the __6__ important; it sets everything up: the tone, focus, your most important qualification. A __7__ problem in the introductory paragraph involves diving directly __8__ work and educational experience - bad idea.
2. Fill in with the following words:
'relation, purpose, information, something, contact, reader, employment'
A better idea is to do ___________ like the following:
State the ___________ of the letter - to inquire about an ___________ opportunity.
Indicate the source of your ___________ about the job - newspaper advertisement, a personal ___________, or other.
State one eye-catching, attention-getting thing about yourself in ___________ to the job or to the employer that will cause the ___________ to want to continue.
3. Rearrange the fragments in the following two sentences:
a)
c short paragraph - no more
c standard business letter
c than 4 to 5 lines of the
c these in the space of very
c try to do all things like
b)
c an application letter.
c don't think of these as
c the "right" or the "only"
c the introduction to
c things to put in
&
Main body paragraphs. In the main parts of the application letter, you present your work experience, education, training - whatever makes that connection between you and the job you are seeking. Remember that this is the most important job you have to do in this letter - to enable the reader see the match between your qualifications and the requirements for the job.
There are two common ways to present this information:
Functional approach. This one presents education in one section, and work experience in the other. If there were military experience, that might go in another section. Whichever of these section has your best stuff should come first, after the introduction.
Thematic approach. This one divides experience and education into groups such as "management," "technical," "financial," and so on and then discusses your work and education related to them in separate paragraphs.
Of course, the letter is not exhaustive or complete about your background - it highlights just those aspects of your background that make the connection with the job you are seeking.
"
1. Follow the instructions in brackets for each sentence:.
You can organize the letter thematically or functionally the same way that you can the resume.
(Turn it into the Passive Voice)
Another section worth considering for the main body of the application letter is one in which you discuss your goals, objectives - the focus of your career - what you are doing professionally.
(Underline in the sentence the synonyms of: 'part, principal, aims, profession')
A paragraph like this is particularly good for people just starting their careers, when there is not much to put in the letter.
(Ask questions so that the underlined phrases are the answers)
2. Underline the right form in brackets:
Closing paragraph. In the (latest / last) paragraph of the application letter, you can (indicate / indication) how the prospective employer can get (in / on) touch with you and when are the best times (for / to) an interview. This is the place to urge (this / that) prospective employer to contact (you / yours) to arrange an interview.
Readability and white space. Are there any dense paragraphs over 8 lines? Are there comfortable 1-inch to 1.5-inch margins all the way around the letter? Is there adequate spacing between paragraph and between the components of the letter?
Page fill. Is the letter placed on the page nicely: not crammed at the top one-half of the page; not spilling over to a second page by only three or four lines?
General neatness, professional-looking quality. Is the letter on good quality paper, and is the copy clean and free of smudges and erasures?
Proper use of the business-letter format. Have you set up the letter in one of the standard business-letter formats?
Overt, direct indication of the connection between your background and the requirements of the job. Do you emphasize this connection?
A good upbeat, positive tone. Is the tone of your letter bright and positive? Does it avoid sounding overly aggressive, brash, over-confident (unless that is really the tone you want)? Does your letter avoid the opposite problem of sounding stiff, overly reserved, stand-offish, indifferent?
A good introduction. Does your introduction establish the purpose of the letter? Does it avoid diving directly into the details of your work and educational experience? Do you present one little compelling detail about yourself that will cause the reader to want to keep reading?
A good balance between brevity and details--Does your letter avoid becoming too detailed (making readers less inclined to read thoroughly)? Does your letter avoid the opposite extreme of being so general that it could refer to practically anybody?
Lots of specifics (dates, numbers, names, etc.). Does your letter present plenty of specific detail but without making the letter too densely detailed? Do you present hard factual detail (numbers, dates, proper names) that make you stand out as an individual?
A minimum of information that is simply your opinion of yourself. Do you avoid over-reliance on information that is simply your opinions about yourself? For example, instead of saying that you "work well with others," do you cite work experience that proves that fact but without actually stating it?
Grammar, spelling, usage. Does your letter use correct grammar, usage, and spelling?
October 11, 2001
Taylor, Inc.
Dear Human Resources Director:
I
just read an article in the News and Observer about
I
understand that
I will be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss how my education and experience match your needs. You can reach me at my home address, at (919) 233-1552, or at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Raymond Krock
Enclosure: Resume
October 11, 2001
Taylor, Inc.
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am seeking a position in your engineering department where I may use my training in computer sciences to solve engineering problems. Although I do not know if you have a current opening, I would like to be a part of the department that developed the Internet Selection System.
I
expect to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I can be contacted at my office (919-866-4000 ext. 232) or via email ([email protected]).
Sincerely,
Rebecca Brock
Enclosure:
Resume
"
1. Fill in the with the following words:
'permanent,, in thing, sent, not, your, reason, identifies, whom, both'
Application letters and cover letters are ________ the same ________.
By definition, a cover letter ________ the item being ________, the person to ________ it is being sent, and the ________ for its being sent.
A cover letter provides a ________ record of the transmittal for ________ the writer and the reader.
Keep ________ remarks brief ________ a cover letter.
2. Use the following verbs in the right position accompanied by the modals should, might, could - twice each:
'contain, explain, mention, point out, include, go on'
Your opening ___________ what is being sent and why. In an optional second paragraph, you ___________ a summary of the information you are sending.
A letter accompanying a proposal, for example, ___________ any sections in the proposal of particular interest to the reader. The letter ___________, then, to present a key point or two explaining why the writer's firm is the best one to do the job. This paragraph ___________ also the conditions under which the material was prepared, such as limitations of time or budget.
The closing paragraph ___________ acknowledgements, offer additional assistance, or express the hope that the material will fulfil its purpose.
&
Samples
The following are examples of cover letters. The first letter is brief and to the point. The second letter is slightly more detailed because it touches on the manner in which the information was gathered.
Your Company Logo and Contact Information
October 11, 2001
Brian Eno, Chief Engineer
Dear Mr. Eno:
Enclosed is the final report on our installation of pollution control equipment at Eastern Chemical Company, which we send with Eastern's Permission. Please call me collect (ext. 1206) or email message at the address below if I can answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Nora Cassidy
Technical Services Manager
Enclosure: Report
Your Company Logo and Contact Information
October 11, 2001
Brian Eno, Chief Engineer
Ecology Systems, Inc.
8458
Obstructed
Dear Mr. Eno:
Enclosed is the report estimating our power consumption for the year as requested by John Brenan, Vice President, on September 4.
The report is the result of several meetings with Jamie Anson, the Manager of Plant Operations, and her staff and an extensive survey of all our employees. The survey was delayed by the transfer of key staff in Building "A." We believe, however, that the report will provide the information you need to furnish us with a cost estimate for the installation of your Mark II Energy Saving System.
We would like to thank Billy Budd of ESI for his assistance in preparing the survey. If you need any more information, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Nora Cassidy
New Projects Office
Enclosure
SAMPLE
TESTS:
1. Correspondence - complete with an appropriate word, a clue is given between brackets
I look forward to . your reply. (read)
If I can help . any of the above please just call. (make clear)
We will be happy to accept a . This will guarantee your booking. (first payment)
I will be your contact . the rooms you reserved. (for everything that has got to do with)
Our cancellation policy comes into . upon signing the contract. (starts)
We are writing . a client. (for)
Please send us your . catalogue and price list. (present)
We are looking for a manufacturer who can . us with a range of fashionable trench coats. (deliver)
Johnnie Walker is a leading . name in Scotch whisky. (trade mark)
Could you send us some . of the sort of paper ware you distribute? (examples)
We would . a prompt reply. (like)
We will do our utmost to . that all goes well on the day of the event. (make certain)
Could you tell us . you have 50 rooms available on 20 October 1999? (if/whether)
Could you inform us . the Xerox Xi70c can scan and copy or scan, copy and fax? (if/whether)
We would also like to know if you are offering . trade discounts. (some/any)
Could you also send us . samples.(some/any)
We were impressed . what we saw on your stand at the
The agreement comes into effect . signing the contract. (preposition)
Should you wish to contact me . fax, my number is 01764 569878
2. Staying at a hotel - cross out what doesn't fit and complete with the words listed below.
Begin your day in the good/well equipped/equiped ..... club. ..... after a long day, it's a great place to relax. There is a big/large pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room, fitness room and solarium. If you want to take in the activity without spending some/any energy, settle back in the ....... chairs with a magazine and perhaps a light snack. Alternatively, ....... yourself to health and beauty treatments at the ........ winning salon or visit our hairdresser but be sure to book in ........ as the salons are always popular.
advance - equally - award - comfy - treat - leisure
3. Eating and drinking - complete (if possible with a word derived from the one between brackets)
There is a . of white or brown bread with salad and crisps. (to choose)
For starters we could order the . prepared soup of the day. It is served with a bread roll. (fresh)
Or we could . order two rounds of sandwiches with a drink. (simple)
As a main course we could have chargrilled chicken with . vegetables and potatoes. (season)
For dessert we could take the fresh fruit . served with cream.
4. What do the following sentences mean? Explain in your own words.
Various A la carte dishes are available in your room. Please note there is a £5 tray charge for this service.
To maintain the quality of the food, please store in the darkened boot of your car, out of direct sunlight.
Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies.
Please allow 25 minutes from ordering.
Answer the following questions, that focus on the complaint letter:
Choose one of the following that best defines what a complaint letter is:
q Responds to an editorial in a newspaper, complaining about biased coverage of some issue.
q Answers a customer's complaint about a defective product or inadequate services, either granting the compensation or explaining why it cannot be granted.
q Requests compensation for a defective product or inadequate services.
Choose one of the following that explains why writing a complaint letter is sometimes preferable to making a phone call:
q The letter is more formal and permanent, whereas the phone call can easily be forgotten.
q The letter is a legal document that can be used as evidence in a court of law.
q The letter provides a clear statement of the compensation to be awarded the customer.
Choose one of the following that best indicates the way you ought to write the complaint letter in general:
q Quietly threaten the recipient with legal action or some other form of retaliation if your request is not granted.
q Try to be diplomatic; maintain your poise; don't threaten or attack the recipient's integrity.
q Be diplomatic but firm in your refusal to grant the customer's request for compensation.
Choose one of the following that best indicates what the first paragraph of the body of the complaint letter ought to contain:
q Some indication of the purpose of the letter, which is to request compensation for problems with a product or service.
q A complete, detailed account of the problems you had with the product or the service.
q Some indication of the purpose of the letter, which is to grant or refuse the customer's request for compensation.
Choose each of the kinds of contents that belong in a complaint letter:
q Statement of the letter's purpose and contents
q Indication of where you heard about the job (newspaper, bulletin board, etc.)
q Description of the compensation desired
q Statement of what compensation will be granted, if any
q Review of your background and qualifications
q Details on the problems you had with the product or service
q Reasons why your request for compensation should be granted
q Reasons why it's in the best interests of the recipient of your letter to grant your request
Answer the following questions, that focus on the inquiry letter:
1. Choose one of the following that best defines what an inquiry letter is:
q A response to a written request for information, advice, names, directions; it provides the requested information.
q A written request for information, advice, names, directions; it lists the specific items of information needed.
q A request for information about a job applicant; it is written to the people the job applicant lists as references.
2. Choose one of the following that best states an important caution about inquiry letters:
q Don't write an inquiry letter for information that you could easily look up in books at a local library.
q Be careful not to request confidential information.
q Don't jump right into your request for compensation without first indicating the purpose and contents of the letter.
3. The chapter discusses the differences between a solicited and an unsolicited inquiry letter. Choose one of the following that would be an example of an unsolicited inquiry letter:
q You're doing a technical report on applications of photovoltaic cells in housing. You know that someone is doing research on photovoltaic cells at a nearby university. You have some specific questions you would like to ask this person, questions that you cannot find answers for in the research literature.
q You're doing a technical report on applications of photovoltaic cells in housing. You have seen advertisements in engineering journals by a local company that manufactures these cells. You want specific information on performance of these cells.
4. Choose one of the following that best indicates what the first paragraph of the body of the inquiry letter ought to do:
q Indicate the purpose of the letter, which is to request specific information.
q List the specific items of information that you need, citing exact details.
q Indicate the purpose of the letter, which is to grant or refuse the customer's request for compensation.
5. In one of the types of inquiry letters, you must provide extra information: specifically, you identify who you are, what you are working on, and why you need the requested information, how you found out about the individual, what was the information source that prompted your inquiry. Which type is it
q Solicited inquiry letter
q Unsolicited inquiry letter
6. Choose each of the kinds of contents that belong in an inquiry letter:
q State the letter's purpose and contents.
q Describe the problem you have had with a product or service.
q Indicate who you are, what you are working on, why you need the information.
q State the information that is needed, preferably in some easy-to-read list format.
q Review your background and qualifications for doing the report project.
q Offer to make supplying the information easy for the recipient of the letter.
q Express gratitude for any help the recipient can provide, suggesting the benefits to the recipient for doing so.
q Provide your telephone number, e-mail address, times you are available for interviews.
Answer the following questions, that focus on the general format of business letters:
1. Choose each of the standard elements that occur above the body of a business letter:
q Date
q Signature block
q Heading
q Complimentary close
q Enclosures indicator
q Inside address
q Salutation
q First paragraph of the body text
2. Choose one of the following that best defines the contents of the heading element of business letters
q Name and address of the recipient of the letter
q Name and address of the sender of the letter
3. Choose one of the following that best defines the contents of the inside-address element of business letters:
q Name and address of the recipient of the letter
q Name and address of the sender of the letter
4. The salutation element is the "Dear Sir" part of a business letter. It should punctuated with a:
q
q Comma (for example, "Dear Sir,")
q Semicolon (for example, "Dear Sir;")
5. The complimentary close is the element of the business letter occurring just above signature. Choose the way it should be capitalized and punctuated
q Use sentence-style caps and end with a comma: for example, "Sincerely yours," would be correct.
q Use headline-style caps and end with a comma: for example, "Sincerely Yours," would be correct.
Partial solutions
I look forward to reading your reply.
If I can help clarify any of the above please just call. (make clear)
We will be happy to accept a deposit. This will guarantee your booking. (first payment)
I will be your contact regarding the rooms you reserved. (for everything that has got to do with)
Our cancellation policy comes into effect upon signing the contract. (starts)
We are writing on behalf of a client. (for)
Please send us your current catalogue and price list. (present)
We are looking for a manufacturer who can supply us with a range of fashionable trench coats. (deliver)
Johnnie Walker is a leading brand name in Scotch whisky. (trade mark)
Could you send us some samples of the sort of paperware you distribute? (examples)
We would appreciate a prompt reply. (like)
We will do our utmost to ensure that all goes well on the day of the event. (make certain) *
Could you tell us if you have 50 rooms available on 20 October 1999?
Could you inform us whether the Xerox Xi70c can scan and copy or scan, copy and fax?
We would also like to know if you are offering any trade discounts. (some/any)
Could you also send us some samples.(some/any)
We were impressed with what we saw on your stand at
the
The agreement comes into effect upon signing the contract. (preposition)
Should you wish to contact me by fax, my number is 01764 569878
Begin your day in the well equipped leisure club. Equally after a long day, it's a great place to relax. There is a large pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room, fitness room and solarium. If you want to take in the activity without spending any energy, settle back in the comfy chairs with a magazine and perhaps a light snack. Alternatively, treat yourself to health and beauty treatments at the award winning salon or visit our hairdresser but be sure to book in advance as the salons are always popular.
advance - equally - award - comfy - treat - leisure
There is a choice of white or brown bread with salad and crisps. (to choose)
For starters we could order the freshly prepared soup of the day. It is served with a bread roll. (fresh)
Or we could simply order two rounds of sandwiches with a drink. (simple)
As a main course we could have chargrilled chicken with seasoned vegetables and potatoes. (season)
For dessert we could take the fresh fruit salad served with cream.
à la carte: freely chosen from the menu
a tray charge: extra cost charged to bring the dished up to your room
|
