1 - Needs improvement 3 - Average 5 - Effective

State why you are writing,  Identifies positions, organization and

 Vague in describing position,
how you learned of the  Does not identify a specific position, purpose
organization and/or purpose for
organization or organization and purpose for writing  Describes interest in, and brief quali-
writing Inadequately.
position, why you are  Does not describe interest in, nor fications for, position and organization
 Describes interest in, and brief
interested in brief qualifications for, position being pursued.
qualifications for, position and/or
this position or company, and/or organization being pursued  Tailored specifically to a position or
organization being pursued
and your education and  Does not use transition sentence to organization.
 Weak transition into second
OPENIN basic information about introduce second paragraph  Uses a transition sentence to effectively
paragraph
G yourself. introduce second paragraph.
Present relevant
 Identifies one of your quali-
qualifications, experience
 Does not discuss any relevant fications, but it is not related to  Identifies one or two of your strongest
and skills related to the
qualification. Have not related your the position at hand. qualifications and/or skills and clearly
position/organizations.
skills to the position applied for.  Restates what is on your résumé  Relates how these apply to the job at hand.
Must make a connection
 Does not state why the interest in with minimal additional  Explains specifically why you are interested
between your experiences
the position company, and/or information. in the position and this type of job,
and achievements and the
location.  Explains why you are interested in company and/or location.
specific job/opportunity
the position but are too vague
MIDDLE you are applying for.
 Thank you statement and/or  Thanks reader for considering him/her
 Does not thank reader Does not
expression of interest for a Expresses interest in a meeting or
Wrap-up/action express interest in a meeting or
meeting or conversation needs conversation Includes phone number
conversation
CLOSING editing and/or email (contact information)
 Uses business letter format, but
elements are incorrect.
 Uses correct business letters format with
 Uses greetings and address a
date and address at the top and signature
 Does not use business letter format. person, but some elements need
Visually appealing, proper space.
 Letter is not addressed properly editing.
grammar and spelling,  Uses an appropriate greeting and
 Contact information is no there.  Name and contact information are
and standardized cover addresses the correct person and
 Multiple grammar and spelling included at the top of the letter.
letter format department.
errors.  Some of the language and
 Uses specific language from business.
grammar are inappropriate for the
PRESENT  Uses soften language and it is error free.
position.
ATION  Few errors.