Worksheet 1: Memo

The exercises in this worksheet ask the students to evaluate several subject lines, to
read and evaluate a sample/model memo and to write their own memo. These activities
may be done individually or by group.

For each group of subject lines provided, encircle the letter of the best subject line.
Explain the reason for your choice by comparing it with others that you did not choose.

A. Subject: We will have an important meeting about the Proposed GE Reform on

Monday at 10 a.m.
B. Subject: Proposed GE Reform Meeting on Monday at 10
C. Subject: Meeting
A. Subject: How to Enter Bibliographic Information on Zotero
B. Subject: Bibliographic Entry, Instructions for Zotero
C. Subject: Entering Bibliographic Information
A. Subject: New Employee Benefit
B. Subject: Tuition Reimbursement Will Noe Be Offered to Employees Who Take Work-
Related Classes and Earn at Least a 3.0
C. Subject: New Tuition Reimbursement Policy
A. Subject: When You Can Deduct the Cost of a Conference Meal
B. Subject: Attendance at Conferences
C. Subject: Reimbursement Procedures for Conference Meals
A. Subject: Your Report of August 14
B. Subject: Progress on Joint Venture Projects in Singapore
C. Subject: Problems with Joint Venture Projects in Singapore

Worksheet 2: Business Letter

The exercise in this worksheet ask the students to evaluate and revise openings and
closings in business letters, and to write their own business letters.

For numbers 1 and 2, indicate which of the following entries represents an effective
direct opening. For number 3, revise the opening to make it more direct. Add information if
necessary.

(1)

A. Yes, the Enterprise Cruise Club is planning a 15-day Caribbean cruise beginning
September 20.
 B. This will acknowledge receipt of your letter pf December 2 in which you ask about
our Caribbean cruise schedule.

(2)

A. We sincerely appreciate your recent order for plywood wallboard panels.

B. The plywood wallboard panels that you requested were shipped today by Jolly-
Bee Cargo Express and should reach you by November 28.

(3)

A. Pursuant to your letter of February 10, I am writing in regard to your inquiry

about whether we offer our Star Wars umbrella in other colors besides green and
blue. This unique umbrella is a very popular item and receives a number of
inquiries. The light saber umbrella is the ultimate geek chic, cool accessory! It is 45”
long and has a built-in LED light-up feature that allows the user to choose between
green or blue!

B. At this time, the Star Wars umbrella we are offering is available in the colors
green and blue.

Worksheet 3: Email

These exercises focus on the specific challenges of workplace emails.

 What email address do you most frequently use?

 Do you think it is an effective one for professional email correspondence? A
professional email is neutral and should typically consist of your name or
initials. Avoid email addresses that are too playful and “cute.” If your present
email address is not professional-sounding, provide an alternative one here:
 Do an Internet research of the meaning “cc” and “bcc” fields in emails. Why
should you be particularly wary about these email features?
 Write an email to a workplace supervisor regarding a report on the use of
Zotero, a bibliographic manager app. You have been assigned to learn how
to use this app to input the company’s library files. You have also been asked
to prepare a report outlining the use of this app and your progress so far. In
this email, you should:
1. Provide an update on the information you have gathered: You have
created a Zotero Standalone account, have learned how to input entries,
and have managed to inpur 25%of the company’s files.
 2. Ask for the deadline of submission to be extended by one week.
3. Explain why you need more time.

Worksheet 4: Cover Letter and Résumé

These exercises offer additional tips, guidelines, and practice in cover-letter

and résumé writing.

Employers use résumés to decide whom to interview. The search committee

skims résumés, and each one may get a quick glance of 30 to 60 seconds at the
most. So, be sure to present information in a concise manner.

1. Provide the tight version for the items given here.

Wordy: Member, University Debate Team, 2013-14

Member, University Debate Team, 2014-15

Member, University Debate Team, 2015-16

Captain, University Debate Team, 2015-16

Tight: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Wordy:

Over a period of time, the course of the months of December 2014 and January
2015, I completely revamped the inventory system at my workplace, which ended
up resulting in a total final savings of a large amount of money, roughly around
$15,000. This also made it considerably easier for people, not only myself, but also
my co-workers at the store, to perform tasks around the office efficiently under the
new arrangements.

Tight:
Dec-Jan 2014: ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Provide specific and relevant details rather than vague and trivial ones.
Talk about how many people you trained or supervised, how much
money you budgeted or raised, and what aspects of a project you
handled. For the exercise that follows, state why concrete details are
more effective.

Vague details:

Sales Manager, The Naga Chronicle, Naga City, 2014-15. Supervised staff: promoted
sales.

Concrete details:

Sales Manager, The Naga Chronicle, Naga City, 2014-15. Supervised 25-member
sales staff; recruited, interviewed, and selected staff members; assigned tasks and
configured work schedules; recommended top performers for promotion.
Motivated staff to increase sales by 5% over the previous year.

3. To create a dynamic image, choose verbs or gerunds (the -ing form of

verbs) over nouns.

Noun:

Chair, Income Tax Assistance Committee, Tayabas, Quezon, 2014-15.

Responsibilities: recruitment of volunteers; flyer design, drafting, and distribution
for marketing of programs; speeches to various local community groups and
homes for the aged to advertise the service.

Verbs:

Chair, Income Tax Assistance Committee, Tayabas, Quezon, 2014-15.

Responsibilities: _____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
 4. Read carefully the advertisement below from a newspaper publication.
Respond to any of them by sending your application letter together with
your resume.

NEW JOB OPENING!

Open to all courses.

A 5-year Leading and Expanding Company is looking for:

* 4-year university graduate

* At least 21 years but not more than 35-years old

* Computer literate

* Excellent in communication skills

* With pleasing personality

Interested applicants may personally submit or send their comprehensive resume

with latest 2x2 photo to:

Mr. Lawrence F. Rosario, Hiring Officer

Human Resource Development Office

TROYVENTURES

1st Floor Althea Building

Perez St., Marawi City