Letters of application A letter of application is a written request for a job, a place at a college or university, or a scholarship or grant. Letters of application are often written in reply to advertisements. They are written in a formal style and contain relevant personal information about the applicant. So how to start writing an application? And how to address the person you are writing to? If you don’t know the name of the person, start with Dear Sir (for a man), or Madam (for a woman), or Dear Sir or Madam (if it could be either). If you are given a name, use it in full, for example Dear Mr Banks. Each paragraph should have a clear topic and purpose. In the first paragraph, clearly state your reason for writing. Refer to the advertisement, if appropriate, and say why you are writing. Give relevant information to support your application. Remember that you will need to convince the target reader that you are the best person for the job. Use the middle paragraph to explain the details, beginning a new paragraph for each main point. Support the application with relevant personal information. How about the final paragraph? Are you sure how to finish your application? In the final paragraph, sum up and/or say what action you want to be taken. If you have included a name at the beginning, finish with Yours sincerely. Otherwise, write Yours faithfully. The endings are followed by a comma. In both cases, sign your full name. You can look through these two websites, which I found useful. They are both clearly organized and helpful. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_applettr.html http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/successfulcv/application/?view=uk To know more about CV writing and the importance of it have a look at the website below. http://www.videojug.com/interview/cvs-explained Listen carefully and then answer the questions that you can read and hear in the recording. 1 What is a CV? 2 How often do I need to update my CV? 3 I’m looking for work. Do I need a CV? 4 I’m not currently looking for work. Do I need a CV? 5 Can I pay to someone else to write my CV for me? Practice Grant application Read the advertisement. Do you want to improve your English? Cultural Exchange is offering 25 students the chance to study in Britain for one month this summer absolutely free. Grants will cover fees, accommodation with a family, and travel costs. Applicants must be 16 or over and have a reasonable command of English. Apply in writing to: The Director Cultural Exchange Programme 16, George Street Glasgow G45 5DJ Now read the letter of application. The writer has sometimes used inappropriate words and language which is too informal. Rewrite the letter, suggest improvements to the parts in bold. Dear Director, I saw your ad. in the paper the other day and I want to ask for a grant to study in Britain for one month this summer. I´m 16 and have been studying English for ages, well 5 years. I´m taking the First Cert. in June and, if I get it, I want to study for a higher exam next year. I´ve never had the chance to get abroad before and it´d be absolutely fantastic to be able to improve my English and learn about the British way of life at the same time. I hope you will give me a grant. Write back soon. Yours sincerely, Federico Accini Rewritten letter of application Dear Sir or Madam, I saw your advertisement in the (name of newspaper) on Friday and I would like to apply for a grant to study in Britain for one month this summer. I am sixteen years old and have been studying English for 5 years. I am taking the First Certificate examination in June and, if I pass, I would like to study for a higher exam next year. I have never had the opportunity to get abroad before and it would be wonderful to be able to improve my English and learn about the British way of life at the same time. I hope you will consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, Federico Accini Adapted from: Haines, Simon. Stewart, Barbara. New First Certificate Masterclass. Oxford: OUP, 1997, pp. 182 The web sites below can help you write your homework: http://portal.mpsv.cz/eures http://www.europass.cz/