L11: WHY YOU SHOULD WRITE WITH A PURPOSE

Any kind of writing must have a purpose. It must have the intention to generate thoughts
among its readers. There are many intentions as to why people write. This includes the need to
inform, share, amuse, entertain, convince, react, and persuade. Usually, the purpose of writing
is dependent on the nature of composition, the intended audience, and the expertise of the
writer in order to share a viewpoint or give an insight on a prevailing issue. Therefore, a
prospective writer, just like any beginning writer, must connect his writing purpose to his
intended audience. In addition, a purposive writing shares facts and information which
generally enhances the creativity of the human mind.

Writing is a literary skill that is useful throughout life. It is used both in the academic and
professional setting, helping students and professionals alike to express themselves in written
form. Also, writing skills are used to explain thoughts in academic papers, such as book and
literature reviews, research papers, as well as in professional correspondence like emails,
memos, and contracts, among others.

However, since language on its own is subject to interpretation, there are instances when the
writer's intent is misinterpreted by the reader. For example, an email sent to a colleague
written in uppercase letters could be interpreted as being too demanding, when in reality, the
sender just overlooked to turn the uppercase off. When it comes to professional writing, it is
important to write as clear, brief, and direct as possible to get the message across the reader.

Why do people write? People write for certain purposes. Some might be driven to write to
share their opinions on a subject that they strongly relate to, while others driven to write of
strtain readers. Writing is an act that may be done out of necessity, or it may just be out the
desire to convey a message. People may be engaged in writing to report an incident that they
had witnessed firsthand, or to write about a recent discovery in a certain knowledge area. It can
also be just simply to rediscuss a topic for a fresher point of view. Moreover, sodge people
write to free themselves from an idea in their mind that needs to be put down on paper.
Others, on the other hand, enjoy writing in their journals, diaries, blogs, and the like, to
describe how they usually spend their days.

Writing a literary piece is not much different from sending an email or a text message. Both
undergo a communication process wherein a message is sent from one person to another. The
only difference between these two modes of writing is that in literary or creative writing,
language can be elaborated and it reaches to a much larger audience; whereas in an email
correspondence, direct language is often used and the target users are the professionals.
Overall, the intention of writing is to share, convey, or relay a message to the readers. The
message in a written text, ranging from simple to the very complex, involves the readers into a
conversational discourse with the writer. This is why writers must, and above all else, discover
the what, why, and how of writing. While free writing is one of the most popular means by
which writers exercise their minds, the writer should still be on track with his writing by making
an outline of the major and minor points in the discussion of a certain topic.

WRITING WITH A PURPOSE

It is important for any aspiring writer to know and understand the reason for his writing. Setting
out a writing any aspiring writer told to you once you find more reasons for writing and
expressing ring goal would be invaluable objectives writers have when putting their thoughts
down on paper.

For Action and Reaction

A person who simply tells in writing a personal experience, an expectation, or something that
he had witnessed is showing an ongoing interaction between himself and his reader. When an
action happens, a person or a group of people give a reaction based on what is happening. In
other words, people write because they want to reap an action out of those who are reading it;
hence, a reaction.

The reaction is an emotion that the writer is trying to get out of the reader. It could be joy,
sadness, anger, hate, fury, happiness, or even a heightened sense of morality. Regardless of
what it is, a writer seeks to bring something out of the reader by making him react on a
particular setting or situation in his writing.

This purpose of writing is common in the field of journalism. Reporting daily news events or
even writing an opinionated piece about the world's major issues require an action and a
reaction. Hearing about celebratory events such as the World Cup, Oscar Awards, or New Year
celebrations around the world evokes joy, anticipation, and other positive feelings in people.
On the other hand, tragic incidents like terrorist bombings, the occurrence of disasters, and the
wars in the Middle East evoke feelings of sadness, dismay, and even anger. A piece of writing
provokes emotions depending on its topic and the manner by which the author delivers it.

The stronger the author feels about a topic, the more it will come through his writing piece and
to the reader. When the writer puts strong statements in the texts and support these with
evidences, it might have a greater appeal to the readers' emotions. For instance, news reports
are often made more striking and emphatic with the use of firsthand testimonies of people who
have witnessed actual events causing a much bigger reaction from its audience.
At the same time, the stronger the feelings that were evoked are, the more receptive the
people would be to the news, increasing its likelihood of being shared to others. This
propagates the news piece, allowing it to spread like wildfire and to reach bigger audiences;
thus, increasing its popularity.

For Creative Narrative

Writers of prose and fiction, such as novelists and short story authors, are some of the most
driven writers in the world. Unlike other forms of writing, only a small percentage of writers go
on to make incredible careers out of their work, but majority of writers in the world are not as
fortunate. Writing fictional stories and spinning new worlds often benefit no one but the
writers themselves at the beginning of the writing cycle.

Famed writer Maya Angelou said, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story
inside you." With no expected readers and perhaps a small target audience of a particular
genre, fictionists write for the creative narrative. They have a story in their minds that they
want to put into paper. It is as much a discovery for them as it is for the reader, as the writer
takes great pains in creating every scene and strong characterization.

The stories made for creative narrative is born from an author's point of view about the world
he created in his mind as something tangible. Writing in this purpose is tantamount to creating
something out of nothing a form of creativity that brings an idea into life, and sharing that idea
with others.

Writing an Interesting Creative Narrative

Fiction writers often put their ideas on paper with great detail. By giving more features,
characteristics, and details to a particular world or character, the more they come to life and
the more the reader relates to them. Because of this, the writers are able to catch and hold
their readers' interest. The events taking place in this fictional world must also be compelling to
entice the reader into finding out more about what is going on in the story.

What is important in writing a setting is when the writer finds it more interesting to show a
story rather than tell. Instead of descri describing every aspect of everything, the writer gives
context clues to make the readers feel as though they are the ones discovering things in the
story for themselves. The characters' actions speak far louder than the dialogue themselves.
Through this, the readers of the story empathize with the characters better, and often find
themselves in the characters' shoes, as they seek to discover more of how the story ends.

For Catharsis
The word catharsis comes from the Greek word katharsis, meaning "to cleanse or purge." In
the field of psychotherapy, catharsis refers to the process of experiencing deep emotions that
people no longer repress, thus moving them to the surface and allowing them to come out.
Isabel Allende, the writer of The House of the Spirits, once said "I write to understand my
circumstances, to sort out the confusion of reality..." Writing should not be a burden to the
readers, especially when they need to understand a news article or a short story. Some writers'
purpose is only to make sense of themselves and the world around them, as well as to free
themselves of their own emotions. People who document their lives by means of writing
journals or blogs do it for this very reason.

A writer is able to make sense of his thoughts, feelings, and emotions by writing about them.
Through writing, he understands and learns more about himself. Writers with this purpose do
not necessarily write to share their thoughts with others, but more to share them with
themselves.

However, with the rise of online social media, more and more people are starting to write on
blogs. They share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences on their blogs without expecting
people to read them. Some people just want their thoughts out there into the world to free
themselves from them, and perhaps in the hope that someday, someone who reads their
writing could feel purged from it as well.

Writing to Purge

There is no particular set of guidelines in writing to purge. Almost every writer writes something
for the sake of catharsis, and it could come in any way, shape, or form. All that matters to this
purpose of writing is that the author is able to concentrate on his feelings, bring them up to the
surface and release them on to the blank page. It is a means of expressing themselves without
holding back and with no restrictions.

One of the best ways by which one can have a rapid moment of catharsis via writing is the
writing exercise called free-form writing. During a set period of time, a writer places his
thoughts on paper and writes without stopping, with no regard to spelling, grammar, or
punctuation. The writer keeps going until he has completely emptied out the feeling evoked, or
the set time runs oiter keeps going he writer can study what he wrote and properly organize his
thoughts to something more coherent in order to express his feelings properly.

For Progress on a Chosen Field

In the previous topics, academic writing has been defined as "practical writing that one can use
in his day-to-day life inside the classroom, in his household, and in the community where he
belongs." Furthermore, it is also a kind of writing which educates one to write in different kinds
of discipline by applying the concepts he has learned in school, which is either literary or
scientific. Research writing, on the other hand, seeks to focus more on the human's search for
knowledge. The purpose of this writing intends to improve the people's quality of life. This also
prepares you to engage in the scientific process of gathering, presenting, and interpreting data
for the discovery of truth and existing knowledge.

Formal research papers are written with a single purpose to discuss new developments and
discoveries in their field, and to add to the growing data and information pertaining to it. This
could be any branch of study within science, literature, medicine, or even theological studies.
Overall, these types of writing are written for academic purposes to educate and present a
problem that may or may not arrive at a finding after experimentation, research, or testing.

The key to remember about this purpose of writing is simple-your goal must always answer the
question asked in the beginning of the text. All of these formal papers have a major thesis
which would then have to be supported by corroborating research or experimentation methods
found within the rest of the body. By the end of the study, the reader of the paper must be able
to comprehend how effective or ineffective the study was. The sole purpose is to make the
readers understand how the writer reaches the conclusion.

For Persuasion

Another purpose for writing is to persuade your audience. Much like in action and reaction
mode, the writer's goal is to evoke the readers' emotion, but in this case, it attempts to
convince the reader to make an action based on the argument of writing. Writing for
persuasion can be found in self-help books, motivational books, fitness books, and in any
publication that seeks to convince its readers to do certain things. This includes political
manifestos, judiciary appeals, formal requests and statements, and even answers to advice
columns.

Why write for persuasion? The writer is trying to sway more people into thinking from their
point of view. Persuasive pieces do not necessarily try to look at both sides of the story before
expounding on a particular one. They only feature one side of the conversation and present all
the reasons why its arguments are correct, along with any pertinent evidence.

L12: PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC WRITING

Much has been said about the written text, the techniques in organizing information of
development in writing across disciplines. In this lesson, it is and the patterns not only academic
writing which evokes you to engage in practical writing, but also professional writing which can
prepare you for future endeavors. Some of these writing activities would require you to have
wider perspectives on critical analysis of a literary piece or a review of a book that you have
previously read. Textual composition necessitates the components and conventions of writing
to become effective writers. Research reports, project proposals, and position papers are
known to be outputs of professional writing, so this early, you must know the ways to recognize
them and the process to prepare these types of professional texts.

Writers write for a multitude of reasons. The end goal of each writer is to convey a message to
anyone regardless of age, race, religion, and any other factors. Through writing, we are able to
evoke feelings and emotions from other people even as we purge ourselves of our own
emotions and add relevant information to the world. We can create entirely new worlds and
even convince people to believe in the things we say by writing effectively.

Apart from choosing the right words, having a good sentence structure, and knowing the
methods in writing, a writer must carefully choose and know his purpose. Before even putting
ink to paper, the writer must remember to ask himself, "Why am I writing?" We must
understand why we need to write and what our real purpose is, so we may work towards that
end goal.

Whatever has been written reaches a reader who may interpret the meaning of the text in
different ways. As long as the writer carries out his own goals and conveys his message
adequately to the readers, the purpose of his writing can be achieved.

After learning about the different purposes of writing from the previous lesson, we now focus
towards writing for a professional, formal, or academic standpoint. Unlike creative narratives
and prose, professional and academic writing aim to present a reaction or opinion, a solution
to a problem, an answer to a question, and an end result to an experimental process.

Different academic and professional writings are necessary to bring further progress to the field
of study. Each paper brings about a new point of view or opinion to a topic and brings a new
angle of experimentation. Ultimately, these academic papers formally discuss topics and
relevant information intellectually discovered by the researcher or the reader.

Before we delve into the different kinds of academic paper, it is important for you to know the
steps to writing a composition. First, choose a topic to write about. Next, collect and organize
information by outlining your ideas. Then, make a draft of your paper by presenting the
information gathered. Lastly, revise, search for errors, and finalize your work.

You must learn the different types of professional and academic writing in order for you to
deliver cohesive and comprehensive analysis of a given topic. Many of these are common
requirements in a student's academic life, going well into collegiate life. Knowing the proper
format and approach to writing an academic paper makes the research and presentation of the
overall information clearer, and projects a professional appearance. The method by which you
gather the information for this paper will also help you with your continuing academic life when
it comes to research, analysis, and noting sources.

TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC WRITING

It is necessary for a beginning writer to learn the different types of academic and professional
writing. This includes book review or article critique, literature review, research report, project
proposal, and position paper.

Book Review or Article Critique

As the name suggests, a book review or an article critique is a paper that aims to cover the
reaction or criticisms of a reader with regards to a book or an article that he read. Commonly,
the writer of the paper expresses his opinion about the piece in itself and the events that the
piece describes. This form of academic paper aims to check your reading comprehension of the
book or the article itself. It also seeks your point of view in the content and how much of it you
understood.

The book review's format or layout may vary. In many cases, the book review is an essay
detailing the reader's opinion of the piece. You must be able to show your comprehension of
the piece in its entirety, as well as formally present your opinion about it.

Sections of a Research Report

There are three main sections in a research report. These are the preliminary material, the
body of the report, and the supplementary material. Each one of these sections includes the
different parts of the report itself, and should be presented in the correct order from
introduction to conclusion. They are categorized as shown in the table.

Here is a brief description of each individual section of a research report:

1. Preliminary Material

a. Title of Report. This is a short, concise heading of what the study is all about.

b. Table of Contents. This is a list of each individual section and their page numbers.

c. Thesis Statement. This is the main problem or topic to be covered in the paper.

d. Abstract/Synopsis. This is a summary of the main findings or the points which the study is
aiming to prove.
2. Body of Report

a. Introduction. The introduction puts the study within context so that readers can better
understand the need for the study. It also provides a brief overview of the study.

b. Literature Review. This is a comprehensive rundown of the important research documents

and materials that is in the report itself. These are the texts that the students have analyzed in
relation to the topic itself.

c. Methodology. This is the chronological statement of the methods used in order to solve the
problem of the thesis topic. Whether it is through experimentation or through further
comparative analysis of texts and other media, the process must be thoroughly described and
documented in this section.

d. Result. This is the final outcome of the methodology. This area describes in detail the
researcher's discoveries after the research or experimentation.

e. Discussion. Following the results, the researcher discusses how it is pertinent to the original
topic and answers the research questions based on the results found. It also includes a
discussion on how it relates to the field of study.

f. Conclusion. A cohesive summary of all the findings and results.

3. Supplementary Material

a. References or Bibliography. All books, journals, websites, academic papers, and all other
research media that the researcher has used must be cited here. . Appendices (Glossary). It
provides more supplementary information, often glossary of terms used throughout the report.

As with any report, the researcher must analyze what is expected of him in this report and a
careful reading of the task assigned to him. The researcher must understand the purpose of the
study, its scope and limitations, as well as the expected format.

Following this, a rough plan must be formed. In order to complete the task or answer the
question put forth, the researcher must come up with a methodology that could be used in
order to answer the problem. This is when organization of information becomes very useful.
Taking down notes on pertinent topics and subjects, and then organizing them will help build
an outline that will guide the researcher during the gathering of literature for background
studies.

Doing a research entails getting any and all pertinent information from various media such as
books, journals, articles, and even other reports that could help guide the researcher or address
the task at hand. Nevertheless, the researcher must not rely on the research material gathered.
The researcher must form his own analysis of the subject matter and only use the references as
a guide or a source of further evidence or information. By far, this step takes the longest time.

Following the research and analysis, the report can be drafted as well as the supplementary
material. Keeping close track of the references and resources used is imperative as they need to
be cited throughout the text and within the bibliography itself.

Once the researcher is certain of every aspect of the report, a final polish to make sure that
everything is correct is recommended before handing it in.

Project Proposal

A project proposal is an academic paper that proposes a particular experiment, project, or

research topic for methodology. Every experiment or thesis begins with a proposal that needs
to be considered by the teacher or professor before the student can be allowed to proceed.
Even in a student environment, a project proposal is necessary for clubs and student
government members to learn as all projects must be signed by the principal for allocations or
authorization.

In real-life applications, project proposals are often done in business. It happens when
proposing new projects such as an infrastructure, new branches to franchise, and other large-
scale endeavors that need the signature of a superior for the allocation of a budget.

It is imperative for students like you, who will be entering the professional world after your
studies, to learn how to make a project proposal as it allows you to present your project ideas
in the most comprehensive and persuasive manner possible.

Parts of a Project Proposal

The following are the major parts of a project proposal. Not all of its aspects will be relevant to
all topics, so use this as a of study. guide to determine what is applicable to your field.

1. Introduction

This is a one- to two-paragraph description of the project. It should start with a sentence of
motivation that describes why this project should be in consideration to begin with. The
problem and the suggested solution should be summarized, followed by a description of the
rest of the proposal.

2. Motivation

This section of the paper must describe the motivation of the project with more elaboration.
What kind of report is it? Why is it necessary or relevant to the field? Describe the history of the
situation that inspired you to tackle the project. Point out the interesting and relevant aspects
of the problem, as well as when and why it occurs.

For previous solutions, make reference to them and the methodologies at time. Describe how
the researcher believes that the previous work is insufficient, so this project is necessary.
Describe possible improvements to tried solutions.

3. Project Summary

This section should be a paragraph summarizing the project itself and what to do during its
course. It should be a generalized summary of the project, with no details or timelines given.

4. Project Details

This section talks about the details of the project, particularly the things that affected the study.
They are the following:

a. The environment

This should comprise of two to three paragraphs and include facts and figures pertinent to the
project. Here, you must describe the necessary hardware, tools, locations, areas, and other
similar logistics that the project will cover or require. This also includes connections with
organizations, researchers, and others.

Be sure to include diagrams and figures that may be useful in further describing your project. If
you will be using any specialized hardware or software for the project, describe them here as
well.

b. The issues and challenges faced

Describe in this part what major issues or problems that the project is likely to face if it pushes
through. This could include location or weather problems or a lack of resource in a certain area-
this part should include any predicted hurdles. Describe the manner by which you will use the
tools and hardware in order to compensate or overcome these problems and issues. This is also
a good way to display how unique your project is, if there is one attempt that exists.

c. Deliverables

What is the project expected to be produced? a research paper? a chemical result? a program
or an art piece? Whatever the end result of the project may be, describe what fruit the project
is expected to bear by the end of the period. In this section, it is vital that you emphasize what
your end product will contribute or achieve, therefore making it more viable to be approved as
a project. Describe how it helps your field and what it can do to advance the studies.

This is why all the details of the end result must be described. All its products, features, and
aspects must be listed or elaborated upon here. It can be done in bullet form, as phrases, or
with descriptions of what each end product is going to be.

d. Timeline

This can be in paragraph or presented in bullet form. Describe what your projected timeline is
how much time is needed to obtain the appropriate research or do the correct
experimentation, or how long it will take before the project will be completed.

5. Conclusion

Summarize the entire proposal in this section. Go over the motivation, the problem, the
proposed solution or the project itself, and add some emphasis on why this is a good idea, and
why it is a viable project to approve. Restate all important sections.

6. References

As with any academic paper, this section should include cited resources from which the
researcher has drawn background studies from making the project proposal.

Position Paper

A position paper is described as a formal paper which depicts a student's viewpoint like yours,
on a particular topic of discussion. This could be prepared in anticipation of a debate or a mock
court procedure which teaches you how to present a case and argue about it. This is also an
effective tool which allows you to understand and solidify your stand on real life scenarios and
issues, such as political positions and affiliations.

This type of paper will organize and outline the issue, as seen from your viewpoint. In formal
writing, it informs others within the group or the committee of your position on the topic, and
can be a starting platform to resolve larger and more complicated topics.

The emphasis here is placed on delivering unique solutions to an issue or a problem, not
without bias as this is meant to persuade. The discussion presented within the paper must
present borderlines on the issue, which sides are where, and what they intend to do. Then the
writer can clarify why this particular solution above the others may be the most beneficial to all.
The paper must also establish the credibility of the person writing it, and the position he has
chosen. It must demonstrate a complete awareness and situational knowledge of the issue,
along with evidence of how strongly one feels about it.

Steps in Making a Position Paper

Know how you can construct your position paper. Here are the steps which you can follow in
making your own position paper as necessary.

1. Make your outline. The general topic must be outlined clearly. It gives immediate
information about the source of the initial conflict. The areas of concern that can be discussed
are the problems surrounding it and a general assessment of the situation as it stands. If there
have been any attempts at solutions, they can be referred here.

2. Identify and describe your affiliation. Whether it is a country, a committee, or a union, this is
where you identify your affiliation. Present here your own background and your group's
background. Make note of their current situation with regard to the topic, and any actions they
may have taken so far to remedy the conflict or ways that this issue brings.

3. Propose solutions. With your tone in favor of your affiliation, describe the ongoing or
forthcoming policies and solutions that your group is trying to enact. Emphasize the benefits of
the solutions and point out the downsides of the current solutions being attempted. Your aim is
to convince the committee that your group's proposed solutions will be the most effective. This
can be further emphasized by pinpointing a specific scenario within the greater issue and
applying your solution to it. Describe how this can change using your group's proposed
solutions.

4. Cover all the bases. Identify any possible loopholes, weaknesses, or potential arguments
against your case. Develop ways to cover up loose ends or eliminate them. The position,
proposal, and argument must have a conviction, making it more compelling. Remember that
this is the first impression they will have on your position. It must make a strong impact, and
appear as solid as possible right from the start.

Following the writing process, the position paper is submitted to the relevant group or
committee for consideration.

L13: COMPOSING PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

One of the ways to communicate with other people is through sending letters or
correspondence. It is assumed that by this time, you have already learned the mechanics of
writing a friendly letter. Composing personal letters has a different nature with that of
professional correspondence. The tone of language, style, and intentions of the writer are more
formal in professional letters than in a friendly letter, which is more on the personal level.
Composing professional correspondence also follows different formats or organization that a
writer must adhere to. This early, you must become aware of the kinds of professional
correspondence, as well as its nature and characteristics. Knowing its components will prepare
you to communicate with others with ease and confidence in your future undertakings.

STANDARD PARTS OF A LETTER

In writing a letter, you need to put the necessary details in it. The six essential parts of the letter
you need to work on include the heading, recipient's address, salutation, body, complimentary
close, and signature. Sometimes, enclosures may be included, but they are optional.

1. Heading. It should contain the return address, usually written on two or three lines, followed
with the date on the last line. This part may be optional in case a letterhead is available. Avoid
writing any abbreviation. Spell out the words like street, avenue, or boulevard. After the return
address, an optional line for the phone number, cell phone number, fax number, and email
address may be included. A space is required before the date line. Always include a line for the
date, but if a letterhead is used, the date alone will suffice. Example of date format: June 1,
2011.

2. Recipient's address. The next part of the cover letter is where you want to send your letter
to. This includes the name of the recipient. Leave enough space for the recipient's address
before the salutation.

3. Salutation. This is a greeting that usually begins with the word Dear, followed by the name
and title of the addressee. Use the last name of the person after the word Dear, such as in Dear
Mr. Cruz or Dear Ms. Aquino. If you are on quite familiar terms with your recipient, you may
address him by his first name, such as in Dear Angela. If the gender of the person is unknown or
unclear to you, you may address him by his title or position in the company, such as in Dear
Hiring Manager or Dear Sir/Madam. Leave space before the body of the letter.

4. Body. The body of the letter contains the main text or message written. You may begin your
letter with a s. ərt introduction, then you may follow it up with the full message. After this, you
may provide other details in your letter. Finally, thank the recipient and ask for some kind of
action to be taken. Put a space before the closing line. The arts of a letter remain the same, but
its body differs depending on its purpose. parts

5. Complimentary close. Leave a space before writing the words Sincerely, Regards, and Yours,
among others, then end it with a comma.
6. Signature Line. Skip two to four spaces before typing in your full name, including your middle
initial, and follow it with a title. For example, Jane de la Cruz, MA, Ed. The title is optional
though. Affix your signature in blue or black ink directly above the signature line. This line is
always aligned with the heading.

7. Enclosures. This part may be optional. But if there will be any document included, it should
be indicated under this title and written as Enclosures. Should there be more than one of it,
indicate the name of each document to be included.

Anyone who thinks of making advancements in his career has to project professionalism by
showing business-like conduct in writing, which is the opposite of being too personal or casual.
This means being able to express yourself in a competent manner and show adeptness in
handling correspondence as you deal with people in your line of business. Professionalism will
be evident in your manners of verbal and written communication.

In writing, proficiency will be apparent on the usage of vocabulary, grammar, and spelling, and
the use of conventions or rules of writing. For someone who wants to apply in an academic
institution, he must be prepared to express his intentions in his application letter by showing
evidences that will likely convince the school for him to be taken in.

Applying for college admission can be so taxing and critical, especially when a student wants to
enter an academic institution with high standards. Entering a particular school may not be so
easy considering its academic standards, among other things. To be able to easily surpass it,
you may highlight your accomplishments and achievements to persuade the authorities in your
prospective school to accept you in as one of its students.

How do high school graduates who want to pursue higher education go about the plan of
making an application for college admission? The plan of entering college must begin at high
school. You, together with your family, need to plan ahead for your chosen degree. Make room
for one or two more other choices so if something comes up, you already have a fallback.
Choose colleges or universities where you would like to study in and be guided of their
deadlines for applications, courses available, and fees to be considered. Know your priorities.
Like in a job application, do a research and make a checklist of all the things you need to do for
a complete and thorough preparation for entering college.

APPLICATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

It is of utmost importance that a high school graduate be able to make the right decision in
picking out from a wide variety of choices of schools and universities offering college education.
It would be a costly mistake to realize one day that you should have chosen a different course
in college. This mistake can be avoided if you thoroughly think things through and make early
preparations for your tertiary education. It is a necessity for you to fit in in the school
environment where you will be studying for the next four years or so in order for you to grow
further. Your plans can be guided by a checklist for you to complete all the tasks needed for
college education. The following are some tips you can take into consideration if you want to
have greater chances in getting admitted into college:

 Make a list of your prospective colleges and universities. By now, you should already
have your choices of specific colleges or universities you would like to go to.
 If not, you may search on the internet for listings. Read thoroughly the syllabus and
brochures provided by your chosen colleges or universities in order to know the variety
of courses they offer. You should have at least three courses you intend to take if you
qualify. List them in the order of priority.
 Reach or exceed the GPA or grade point average required by the school you are aiming
to enroll in college and the particular course you want to take. Prepare a letter of
recommendation from your adviser or principal in the high school where you graduated
from, which may be asked of you during college application. It may also come in the
form of a certification for Good Morals and Right Conduct. You must complete and
submit all application forms needed for your application. Download these forms or you
may get it directly from the school. However, most forms are for a fee as it already
includes payment for the entrance exam as well.i You must pass the entrance exam or
admission test required by the school or university first in order to be accepted.
 Be ready for essay type tests, which are sometimes given as part of the admission
requirements. Your vocabulary and grammar skills will be challenged. Even your
reasoning skills can become the basis for your acceptance in college. Expect and prepare
for interviews, which may also be a part of the admission requirements. Upon interview,
the data you have given on your application form, including the consistencies or
inconsistencies on your given records, will be checked.
 There is a possibility that you will be asked to submit a written application letter for the
school to check on your communication skills so be prepared. A curriculum vitae (CV) is
required in some courses or colleges. Incoming students are required by graduate
schools to submit a CV to show their educational history, training, and practice.
 Write a letter of intent which narrates some background pertinent to your application. It
usually comes with your CV.

LETTER OF INTENT

Just like in any formal letter, the letter of intent needs to be written following the formal rules
of writing as discussed in a previous lesson. Unlike writing a personal letter, the letter of intent
should be written with tact and courtesy. In formal writing, it is necessary that you follow a
given format. The main difference of this letter with other forms of letter is its message. When
writing a letter of intent, your main goal is to express your intention for dealing with a particular
organization or institution. This kind of letter is usually used when writing a letter for college
application.

Here are some important points that you may include in your letter of intent.

 Note the goals and directions that you would like to take. Indicate why you belong in
your prospective school according to their mission and vision.
 Include strong evidences or proof of your diligence and hard work in school. Mention
your academic achievements.
 Mention your interests and advocacies, as well as your extracurricular and community
activities to show your participation in good causes.

Standard Formats for Writing a Letter

Let us begin with writing correspondence. Remember that one should follow the existing rules
of correct and proper form of writing a letter. There are six standard formats for writing a letter
the block style, modified block style, semi-block style, modified semi-block, open, and
standard style. Among the six styles, only the first two formats are commonly used.

Block Style

In block style, all the sections of the letter begin on the left margin or are left justified, and has a
single space, except in between parts and paragraphs. This is the most common of all the styles.

Modified Block Style

This style is as popular as the block style, but the difference is it has the author's address, date
of writing, and closing in the center point of the page line. The following is a sample letter of
intent in modified block style.

DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO SUBMIT DURING JOB APPLICATION

When making preparations for employment, you should process it with utmost caution. For
starters, the résumé you are going to submit will be a reflection of your thoughts and
experiences, as well as your abilities set out in proper documentation. Your résumé should
state the details that fit the required skills and job description needed by your prospective
employer.

Even the cover letter that accompanies your résumé can serve as your introduction to your
qualifications. Your communication skills, especially your method of writing, will be looked into
by your prospective employer as you may be given given the chance to get hired and represent
them. All these documents you will be submitting will reflect on your competency in making
proper and impressive office correspondence.

Résumé

The word résumé is of French origin meaning "summary." A résumé is a brief summary of your
skills, and your academic and work background. It is usually a one-page paper that is given to a
prospective employer. The résumé is a tool that employers require to help them choose who
they should hire for a vacancy in their company. There are certain skills and abilities required
for a particular applicant to be accepted. You need to find that balance of what an employer
wants and what position you want for yourself.

In composing a résumé, you need to focus on particular fields or parts of the résumé. As the
famous saying goes, "first impressions last," so it is important to make your résumé strong and
impressive to be remembered by the interviewer in a positive light. How can a résumé go
beyond being just a summary? You need to provide details and

information in the right places, specifically your skills pointing out to your strengths. Your
chances of getting employed depend on your résumé, as well as your prospective employer's
opinion of you. The employer must find you worthy of the position and a valuable asset for
their company in order for you to be hired. An effective résumé gets your prospective
employer's interest and keeps that interest strong until you get accepted.

How can you project the image to a prospective employer that you are capable of filling in the
vacant job position? Through the résumé, you can project yourself as someone who is capable,
professional, and skillful for a certain job position. It is through your résumé that your
education and work experiences will be highlighted, which will convince your prospective
employer that you possess the necessary background and intellect that would make you fit for
your desired job position.

Parts of a Résumé

In order for you to make a proper résumé, it is important that you familiarize yourself first with
its parts. The parts of a résumé are the following:

1. Heading. This includes the name, address, zip code, mobile phone number, telephone
number, and email address.

2. Objective. This is where you will mention what you are trying to accomplish in your career
life. If you are aiming for a particular position in the company, you may add your formal
objective statement particularly referring to the job opening.
3. Work history. This section should include your work experiences for which you were paid.
Include both full time and part time jobs, internships, and even projects for which you have
been a part of. It has to be structured carefully, with your most recent work experience on the
top of the list.

4. Educational background. This section of the résumé tells an employer if you meet the
educational requirements for a certain position. Include here your school or university name,
location, awards, achievements, prominent positions held while earning a degree, and
certifications. List them in chronological order.

5. Skills, talents, and abilities. This part shows one's abilities or special knowledge about
something that would be essential for the job he is applying for.

6. Interests, hobbies, and advocacies. This section is where the applicant states what he does
during his spare time, what hobbies he engages in, what his affiliations are, and his
participations in social and community activities.

7. Other relevant data. This indicates if one had any professional training in other areas of
specialty.

Dos and Don'ts in Résumé Writing

Here are the tips in preparing an organized résumé. Follow these guidelines and take note of
the dos and don'ts in résumé writing.

 Do use a sensible email like jdlacruz@yahoo.com instead of cutey@yahoo.com.

 Do highlight your strengths to promote yourself.
 Do attach a cover letter for hand-carried or emailed résumé.
 Do update your résumé regularly. Do not put I's in your résumé.
 Do not abbreviate.
 Do not add a date; place it instead on the cover letter.
 Do not include personal information unless specified by the prospective employer.

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum vitae is of Latin origin, meaning "course of (one's) life." In comparison to a résumé,
it is a more comprehensive document detailing one's educational background, work history,
researches done, honors and awards received, and any personal data pertinent to previous
work. This may also be used for job applications, internship and training programs,
apprenticeships, and academic program applications. The CV, as it is sometimes called
nowadays, should have a photo and some personal information too. It is longer than a résumé
but it should not be longer than two pages.
The résumé and the curriculum vitae are usually created using Microsoft Word, where you can
edit and format the document according to your desired presentation. The same software can
be used in making the accompanying documents such as a cover letter. All documents pertinent
to your job application can be sent out to a prospective employer via email.

Cover Letter

What accompanies the résumé? The cover letter is another document that can highlight one's
strengths and abilities further. It provides added emphasis and seals good points about you as
an applicant. To an employer, a cover letter is a device to shortlist candidates for the position.

A cover letter is just a one-page attachment to either a résumé or curriculum vitae. It addresses
the employer's requirements and explains how fit you are for the job you are applying for. The
cover letter must always be tailor fit for the company you are applying for. Make sure that you
check for grammar and spelling mistakes first and proofread your cover letter before submitting
it. Avoid the mistake of composing a generic cover letter that is addressed to any employer in
general. Before composing the cover letter, ask these two prerequisite questions so you can
prepare your cover letter accordingly:

 What is the purpose of the writer of the letter?

 Who is/are the intended audience or reader of the letter?

Now, one has the need to create a quality cover letter by thoroughly providing the details in a
correct manner as set by the rules of formal writing. Your correspondence would show how
good your communication skills are. Details of your writing will show your skills in persuasion,
detailing, describing, and being purposeful.

Like in the other types of letters such as the letter of intent, the cover letter also has six parts.
But again, the difference lies in the body or the message of each. For a cover letter, here are
suggestions on what to include in the body:

 Its first paragraph should contain the introduction. It should say where or how you
found out about the job opening. Mention any referrals. This should grab the attention
of your employer. You may give details about the company that sparked your interest.
As an added note, you may present your core competencies that encourage you to
apply for that certain position you are aiming for.
 The second paragraph should contain the detailed support or evidence why you are
qualified to apply for that certain job in the company. This is the part where you need to
hook your reader. This serves as your brief pitch so you may include proposals or project
you have been involved in. You may cite improvements, achievements, and events that
transpired in your life recently. Make your cover letter strong and assertive.
  The third paragraph of the cover letter should show your knowledge about the company
you are applying to. At the last part of your cover letter, a short summary of your skills
and abilities, and explanation of how you can be an asset to the company should also be
present. In place of the Objective part of the résumé, you may provide an impressive
summary of your background instead, for the employer's perusal. Indicate in your letter
the possible ways on how and where they can reach you.

In addition, observe proper etiquette when sending emails by using formal and tactful
language.

OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE

Earlier in this lesson, the different parts of a letter and its different types were discussed.
Letters, which were discussed earlier, come in set formats with set number of parts. They are
written for different purposes. The only time you may have practiced formal correspondence in
school is through writing a college application for admission, or for an application for a
scholarship, or for contest participation, or for a request for school activities to be organized.
When the time comes that you will formally step into the business world, you will be
encountering situations where you need to communicate with people.

Business Correspondence

Business correspondence is the exchange of information within an organization or within

different organizations. A correspondent may use any medium in sending a business letter such
as through postal mail, email, fax, or even by personal delivery. What is important is that the
content, message, or information that the writer wishes to convey comes across to its recipient.

There are various types of business correspondence and they differ from one another,
depending on the content and the writer's purpose. The major types of business
correspondence are business letters, emails, fax messages, and office memorandums.

Business letters usually take the written form. As they are of formal correspondence, writing
business letters requires good form and etiquette. The language and the tone used must
complement with the company or organization's needs. Usually, this letter is sent through the
post. One can also correspond through the use of the fax machine. This machine with a built-in
telephone is used to send and receive a copy of a letter.

Business letters also take the form of email. A business letter in email form is still considered
formal correspondence, but a bit lesser in formality. Just like in formal writing, the email has its
set format as well. Courteous expressions and proper use of language should be observed when
writing emails.
A memorandum, or memo for short, is one of the most useful and common interoffice
correspondence between employees or related offices. It is written to make announcements
and to inform people about ideas, decisions, requests, and certain actions. These memos can be
coming from the higher officials of a company or it can be a lateral communication between co-
workers. Memos are usually printed and placed on bulletin boards for everyone to see and take
note of.