Business Writing: Adjusting Your Tone (Cover Letters)

In yesterday's class, we looked at pgs. 232-33 in your copies of Technical Communication and discussed the importance of tone in the cover letters we are writing.

Here is what we learned:

Tone will always depend on—

1. "the distance between you...and the reader" (basically, how well you know your reader); and
2. "the attitude you show towards the subject" (232).

Our cover letters should have—

1. a consistent tone;
2. a formal (professional) tone;
3. a positive, energetic tone; and
4. an active voice.

For example, when you say, "Management responsibilities were given to me," you are making your subject ("responsibilities") your direct object.  It's the the thing receiving the action.

But if you make a simple change to your sentence, such as, "I assumed management responsibilities," you are making yourself the subject ("I") and "responsibilities" the direct object.

Looking at the cover letters you revised for today, please pick one sentence that was written in the passive voice and post it in the comments section below.  Respond to your classmates' comments by revising their sentences and putting them in the active voice. Explain why you think the sentence is better.

Business Writing: Résumé Rough Drafts

Writing Warmup:
For today, you had to bring in a complete rough draft of your résumé.  Using the standards associated with each question, please answer the following using Apt Specific References (ASR).

1) How did you use your job description to create your résumé?

• Standard: W2, "I can write informative, explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly."
• Standard: W9, "I can draw evidence from informational texts to support my reflection and/or research."

2) What was your method for revising your résumé? How did you revise?

• Standard: W5, "I can develop and strengthen my writing by planning, revising, editing, and rewriting."

3) How did you use parallel structure in your writing?

• Standard: L1, "I can use parallel structure in my writing."

Writing Warmup: Business Writing

Writing Warmup:

In yesterday's class, you took the Self-Assessment on Skills and Aptitudes (pg. 380, Technical Communication).  Based on your answers to the assessment's questions, please answer the questions below.

1) What did you discover about yourself as an applicant?

2) Based on your answers, what are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
3) What jobs/fields do you think you would be best suited for?