4H/V Last round writing skills 07.01.2025

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

Last round writing skills 07.01.2025

Welcome! This is your final formal letter writing practice before the exam.

Today, we will:

Understand the rubric criteria for formal letters.

Analyze examples to see what works and what doesn’t.

Apply these skills to improve and write strong letters.

Review Google Classroom resources and assignments.

The rubric

Conventions (1 pt): Correct use of addressing, dates, salutation, and closing.

Content (2 pts): Cover all required elements (introduction, problems, solution, etc.).

Communication (2 pts): Clear structure, formal tone, and coherence.

Language Use (8 pts): Grammar and spelling errors affect scores (0 errors = 8, 8+ errors = 0).

Total: 13 points

Example 1; score +/-  4:

Example 2; score +/- 8:

Why one is better than the other

Structure and Detail:

Opening:

Score 4 Letter: The introduction is generic and briefly states interest in the position without elaborating much.

Score 8 Letter: The introduction is engaging, emphasizes enthusiasm, and aligns the applicant’s values with the organization’s mission.

Content Depth:

Score 4 Letter: Contains basic information, such as the applicant’s skills (planning and teamwork) and a single, vague example (organizing a school event).

Score 8 Letter: Provides a detailed example of a significant experience (organizing a clean-up day with 50 participants) and connects it directly to the job's requirements.

Relevance to the Organization:

Score 4 Letter: Makes a general statement about wanting to help but lacks specificity regarding how the applicant’s skills or experience align with Green Horizons’ activities.

Score 8 Letter: Clearly mentions specific Green Horizons projects (tree-planting events and workshops) and explains how the applicant’s skills can contribute to their success.

Inquiry:

Score 4 Letter: Asks a general question about support for interns.

Score 8 Letter: Poses a thoughtful question about learning opportunities and mentorship, demonstrating a more proactive and forward-thinking approach.

Language and Tone:

Language:

Score 4 Letter: The language is simple, functional, and straightforward but lacks sophistication.

Score 8 Letter: Uses professional and polished language with more varied vocabulary and sentence structures.

Tone:

Score 4 Letter: Neutral and reserved, more focused on fulfilling the task than creating a personal connection.

Score 8 Letter: Confident and enthusiastic, demonstrating a strong motivation for the role and a genuine connection to the organization’s goals.

Professionalism:

Clarity and Conciseness:

Score 4 Letter: Meets the basic requirements of the task but is less polished and professional.

Score 8 Letter: Goes beyond fulfilling the task to communicate effectively and professionally.

Engagement:

Score 4 Letter: Less engaging due to its lack of specific examples and connection to the organization.

Score 8 Letter: Engages the reader by highlighting relevant achievements and clearly aligning with the organization’s mission.

Conclusion:

The letter scoring an 8 demonstrates more depth, specificity, and professionalism, making it a stronger, more compelling application. In contrast, the letter scoring 4 fulfills the basic requirements but lacks the detail and polish necessary to stand out.

Writing tips

1. Follow Formal Conventions

Use a Professional Structure: Always include the sender’s address, date, recipient’s address, formal salutation, and closing. This maintains professionalism and ensures your letter is easily understood.

Use Proper Titles and Salutations: Address the recipient respectfully with titles such as "Dear Sir or Madam" or use their specific name (e.g., “Dear Mr. Johnson”). Avoid overly casual greetings like "Hello" or "Hey."

End Formally: Close with “Yours sincerely”.  Always sign your letter, either by hand or electronically.

2. Be Clear and Concise

State the Purpose Upfront: . In application letters, express your intention to apply for a job immediately.

Example:

“I am writing to express my interest in applying for the Customer Support Representative position at XYZ Corporation.”

Stay Focused and Avoid Over-Detailing: only include essential information.

Application Letter: Mention relevant skills or experiences related to the job you are applying for.

3. Address the Recipient Appropriately

Use Professional Titles: Always address the recipient formally using titles like "Mr." or "Ms." if you know the person’s name.

Application Letter Example:

“Dear Mr. Johnson,” (if the name is known) or "Dear Sir/Madam," if not.

Close Formally: Always close with “Yours sincerely”. 

Application Letter Example:

“Yours sincerely, [Signature]”

4. Be Specific and Detailed

In an Application Letter: Focus on relevant qualifications and skills related to the position you're applying for.

Application Letter Example:

“I believe my 5 years of experience as a customer service representative at XYZ Company, along with my strong communication skills, make me a strong fit for this role.”

5. Maintain a Professional and Polite Tone

Application Letter Example:

“I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills to XYZ Corporation” (instead of “I really want this job”).

Be Courteous in Application Letters: Focus on your qualifications and express enthusiasm for the position without sounding desperate.

Application Letter Example:

“I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your team.”

6. Propose a Solution (Complaint Letter) / Highlight Your Skills (Application Letter)

Application Letter: Focus on how you can contribute to the organization.

Application Letter Example:

“I am confident that my background in customer service will allow me to contribute effectively to your team.”

7. Proofread and Edit

Check for Grammar and Spelling: Ensure the letter is error-free. Poor grammar or spelling errors can harm the professionalism of both complaint and application letters.

Application Letter Example:

“I am highly interested in this opportunity” (not “I’m highly interested in this opportunity”).

Ensure Clarity: Each paragraph should lead logically to the next. Make sure the purpose of the letter is clear from the start.

Application Letter Example:

Organize your qualifications, skills, and reasons for applying in a clear, concise manner.

8. Express Gratitude and Anticipate a Response

Application Letter: Thank the recipient for considering your application and express enthusiasm for next steps.

Application Letter Example:

“Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.”

9. Check all the lessonup lessons, the readers and practice exams in Classroom.

Make sure you go through the signal word list one more time to add variety to your letters. 

One more practice

You have the chance to go through another practice letter in the exam format. Make sure you do this one as best as you can, to make sure that you are well prepared. 

Good luck!