V5 Writing Testweek 1: Letter of Application

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Writing Test SE1

• 60 minutes

• A handwritten, formal letter (350-450 words)

• Count your words: a deviation of 10% is allowed.

Please note that these are examples - you may be asked to write slightly longer pieces

Letter of application introduction

•  ① Start all parts of your letter on the left and do not use indentations.

Letter of application introduction

•  ② A date can be written in 4 ways:
  - 12th January, 2024     
  - 12 January 2024     
  - January 12th 2024     
  - January 12, 2024 
• Mind you! Months are always written with a capital letter.  Never write the date as follows! 12/01/24

Letter of application introduction

•  ④ If you know the name of the person you can write the salutation as follows:
  •    Dear Mr Drummond,
  •    Dear Mrs Drummond, (married/widower)
  •    Dear Ms Drummond, (unsure if married)
  •   Dear Miss Drummond, (unmarried)

• If you do not know the name, you write:
  

     •    Dear Sir/Madam,
     •    Dear Sir,
     •    Dear Madam,
     •    Dear Sirs,

• 
  

Letter of application introduction

• ⑤ Structure your work using paragraphs   
         with a blank line.
•       In the first paragraph you state why you 
         are writing: you refer to your situation, a
          letter you received or a job advert.
•       Start a new paragraph every time you refer to a new aspect of what you are writing.
  
•       Be careful not to repeat yourself
         unnecessarily.
  
•       Be clear and concise!

Useful expressions for the introduction of a formal letter of application

Nederlands                                                                                     Engels
Ik schrijf deze brief om te                                                          I am writing to enquire about..

informeren naar..  

Ik schrijf naar aanleiding van..                                                I am writing in response to…

Ik zou het op prijs stellen als u..                                             I would be grateful if you..

Ik ben geïnteresseerd in het ontvangen van..                 I am interested in receiving..

VWO                                                                                                    pre-university education

Informal:

1. get

2. extra

3. want

4. need

5.talk about

6. get in touch with

7. about

8. make sure

9. give

10. tell

11. more

12. looking

13. ask for

14. show

 Formal :

1. receive

2. additional
3.  would like
4. require
5. discuss
6. contact
7. concerning/regarding
8. ensure
9. provide someone with
10. inform
11. further / greater
12. searching
13. request
14. demonstrate

What do I need to mention in a formal letter of application?

Introduction

• Personal Information
• What are you applying to
• Why are you applying?

Which of these is a correct formal way of writing a date in a letter?

1. 14/12/21
2. 14th december, 2021
3. 14 December, 21
4. 14th December, 2021

Which of these could you use to start a formal letter of motivation?

1. I am writing to you to express my interest in your Bachelor degree course.
2. I wanna come to your university, innit!
3. I'm really excited about coming to you so please give me a chance
4. My parents told me to write you a letter to tell you how interested I am in your course.

Which are the formal alternatives to these words?

1. have, more, need
2. receive, even more, will
3. receive, additional, would like
4. receive, addtional, would like

Which two main mistakes do most people make in a writing test?

1. Forget a pen and leave too soon
2. Spelling and messy handwriting
3. Don't plan their work or re-read it before handing it in
4. Forget a dictionary and then expect to get one from us.

  Body paragraphs - Motivation

  Date

  Salutation

  1. Intro

- Who you are why you are writing  (75-100)

  2. Main paragraphs (1 for each argument)  (200-300)     

         - Why are you interested?

         - Why is the course suitable for you?         

         - What are your relevant experiences/qualifications?

3.Conclusion- repeat what you hope/expect (75-100)

Body motivational letter

This is where you really sell yourself, mentioning stories behind your achievements, skills, and passion for whatever you’re applying for.  This example is rather short, but shows you the kind of language used.

Useful sentences for body report and letter

• My passion for ______ started when ______.
• I would like to ______ because ______.
• I have been part of _________ for ___ months/years.
  
• It is the best thing for me because _______.    
  
• I remember once when I ________, which made me realize that I _______.
• _______ resonates with me because _________.
• What distinguishes me from my peers is __________.
• I have considerable experience in __________.
  

More useful phrases

Letter - Click on the link!  They are meant for job applications but can easily be converted to suit a application letter for college.

Linking words

Linking words are words and phrases which indicate a connection.

These words work in the way that help the reader understand how the information in the text is organized. That´s why, they are also called text organizers and discourse makers.

◊ The course you are offering is very appealing to me. It is a well respected university.

◊ Graduating from this course would provide wonderful job opportunities. I could earn a good income. I could get a company car.

◊ Coming up with an initial idea was hard. The planning phase was a lot easier once we were motivated.

◊ A questionnaire was used to gather information. An interview was done.

◊ The course you are offering is very appealing to me. Moreover, it is a well respected university.

◊ Graduating from this course would provide wonderful job opportunities. Therefore, I could earn a good income. Besides that, I could get a company car.

◊ Coming up with an initial idea was hard. However, the planning phase was a lot easier once we were motivated.

◊ A questionnaire was used to gather information. In addition, an interview was done.

Try using some of these if you do the practice tasks and/or learning some before the test to help you ...let's see how you do now?

Sentence length

Read the paragraphs on the right

Notice the difference between the first and last paragraph.

Even though this is an example of creative writing, you should make your text easier to read by alternating sentence length.

Use of paragraphs

The paragraph on the left is obviously too long.

Start a new paragraph when you start a new point in your written work.

Use of paragraphs

Paragraph 1 - Snoring ... measures

Paragraph 2 - Lifestyle ... bed

Paragraph 3 - Beyond ... you

Paragraph 4 - It is ... alternative

Paragraph 5 - If this ... passage

Paragraph 6 - Finally ... might

Which linking word means "echter"?

1. Therefore
2. Because
3. However
4. Moreover

Which linking word is the odd one out?

1. as a result
2. consequently
3. besides
4. therefore

Fill in the correct linking word:
Climates are changing ______ global warming.

1. in spite of
2. as a result of
3. in order to
4. although

Which linking word is the odd one out?

1. in addition
2. additionally
3. however
4. moreover

Fill in the correct linking word:
He could read and write
______ being blind.

1. despite
2. as a result of
3. even though
4. besides

Fill in the correct linking word:
They lost the match ______ poor physical preparation.

1. despite
2. for example
3. because of
4. even though

Which linking word is the odd one out?

1. therefore
2. such as
3. for instance
4. for example

How many paragraphs does a letter of motivation have?

1. 1 - everything written without line breaks
2. 1-2 - Introduction and body paragraph
3. 4-5- Introduction, 2/3body paragraphs and a conclusion
4. 6 - Introduction, 4 body paragraphs and a conclusion

Letter of motivation - conclusion

• Do not mention anything new!
  

• Mention your willingness for an interview they might want with you.
• Round off by saying what you look forward to based on the contents of this letter.
  

Useful letter conclusion phrases

I am highly motivated and look forward to the challenges and opportunities which this course would offer me.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further details of the position with you personally.

I can supply references from…if required.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity
to personally discuss why I am particularly suited to this position.

Please contact me via …

How to finish your letter

Yours faithfully - when do not know and have never met the person you are writing to. Normally used together with Dear Sir/Madam,

Yours sincerely - when you DO know the persons you are writing to and may have met them before.  Normally used together with Dear Mr or Dear Mrs Jones

Dear Mr Jones,

Inhoud

Yours sincerely,

Peter Bradbury

Dear Sir/Madam,

Inhoud

Yours faithfully,

Peter Bradbury

Preparation tips

• Look back through this Lesson UP!
  

• Think about what you want to say in a letter of application and think of a a logical structure..
  

• Learn about correct use of punctuation, grammar, other useful vocabulary such as linking words with handy videos and exercises on YouTube.

Test week training

•     Practice makes perfect!​ 

Tips for during the writing test

• Take time to plan what you are going to write:   Intro-
  

                                                                                             Paragraph 1  - 

• Practice words, sentences on another piece of paper before you write the
   real thing - saves crossing out!
• Write neatly!
• Do not use abbreviations (don't, isn't, etc) or slang (wanna, gonna, hey, etc)
  
• Re-read your paragraph before you move on to the next one - Have you said
    everything you wanted to say?
• Re-read your work as a whole before you hand it in. You will more than likely
    spot mistakes!
  

What will you be assessed on?

•     Content (all necessary elements mentioned / begrijpelijk
        voor de native speaker)
  

​

•     Grammar accuracy
  

​

•     Vocabulary use (is use of words accurate, varied and at
       VWO level)​

 ​

•     Coherence (does the work have a logical progression? –
       beginning-middle-end, no unnecessary repetition)

 ​

•     Spelling / Punctuation / Lay-out