Please use these guidelines to revise your cover letter before submitting it for a grade. These are organized by the five writing domains, as a cover letter is a formal document that will be judged by employers on these merits.
Focus
- All items are focused on creating a professional, mature, employable image. No distracting fonts or graphics. No off-topic or nonsupporting content.
- Intro paragraph includes stating interest in the job (including correct job title).
- Establishes qualifications and/or experience.
- Closes with thanks and contact instructions.
- Ends with correct signature.
Content
- Headings are complete: addresses, date, phone number, correct contact name.
- Appropriate greeting.
- Paragraph content follows suggested information from sample letter.
- Paragraph about experience and/or qualifications is a complete, detailed paragraph.
Style
- Sentences vary in structure (simple, compound, complex, compound complex …).
- Sentences vary in opening.
- Spacing is consistent with sample letter, creating a pleasing, professional layout.
- 1″ to 1.5″ margins.
Organization
- Includes correct headings, date, greeting, paragraphs, salutation.
- Fits on one page.
Conventions
- Dates: January 1, 2009
- Addresses: 100 Maple Avenue (no abbreviations)
- City/State/Zip: Elizabethtown, PA 17022
- Phone numbers: (717) 555-1212
- Correct capitalization of place names, people, and first letter of each sentence
- No spelling mistakes. No homophone mistakes. No typos.