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A slideshow presentation on Persuasive Writing Skills for Job Application Letters
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SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
AFTER THIS LESSON
1.How can you create a convincing cover, offer, or application letter?
2.What proof can convince your target reader?
3.What is the most convincing strategy of presenting your ideas?
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THREE QUESTIONS:
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Why a Motivation Letter?
A well-written motivation letter helps you get the job.
The motivation letter is the letter you send with your CV when you are applying for a position.
It is the first thing that a recruiter sees when opening your application package.
The letter provides you with the opportunity to catch their interest.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
1. The Opening Paragraph
The first paragraph of the motivation letter should be between three and four sentences. Write a clear statement about why you
are applying for the position. Inform the recruiter why you are
interested in the position. Mention the job position title and the
company by name.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
2. The Body
The body (one to two paragraphs) is where you persuade the recruiters to hire you.Say why you are qualified for the position. State your evidence; work experience and
successes, academic achievement, awards that you received.
Summarize specific skills that qualify you for the position. Mention assets and qualities that you would bring to the company.
Summarize the main points in one sentence.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
3. The End Paragraph
The end paragraph should be two to four sentences.
1. Ask politely for an interview. 2. Remind the recruiters about the CV
included with the letter.3. Thank them for their time and
consideration.4. Suggest a meeting or interview.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
4. The Signature
• Conclude the letter with "Sincerely" and your name typed underneath.
• Leave a space for your signature between "Sincerely" and your name.
• Proofread the letter several times.
• Sign above your name by using dark ink.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
SHL1013: Professional English
Do you have an educated mind?
10/13/2012
An Educated Mind
A person first takes in information, then uses it. It doesn’t happen the other way around.A critical thinker is a person with an educated and trained mind. Critical thinkers don’t decide immediately. This is what they do: know the informationask questions based on reason find the answersdraw conclusions, and then use the information.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Arguments of Persuasion
• In writing, to try and convince a reader that something is true or not true, an argument is used.
• Two of the argumentative methods used in writing are induction and deduction.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
The Inductive Method
This approach involves three steps: generating theories and hypotheses
1. Observe the world.
2. Search for a pattern in what is observed.
3. Make a generalization about what is occurring.
From http://www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/johnson/dr_johnson/lectures/lec1.htm 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
The Deductive Method
This method involves three steps: testingtheories and hypotheses
1. State the hypothesis (based on theory or research literature).
2. Collect data to test the hypothesis.
3. Make decision to accept or reject the hypothesis.
From http://www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/johnson/dr_johnson/lectures/lec1.htm 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English
Which one is better?
10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
INDUCTION
... a process of reasoning (arguing) which infers a general conclusion based on individual cases, examples, specific bits of evidence, and other specific types of premises.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
How Induction Works
Induction is based on conclusions: An inductive argument requires faith in its
conclusionIf you use induction, make a strong
conclusion to elicit belief.Induction creates general proofInduction uses specific information to
create a general conclusion regarding something that is in the future.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English
Decision Tree
10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
DEDUCTION
… a process of reasoning that starts with a general truth, applies that truth to a specific case (resulting in a second piece of evidence), and from those two pieces of evidence (premises), draws a specific conclusion about the specific case.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
How Deduction Works
Deduction is based on premises: A deductive argument requires faith in its
premises.If you use deduction, present strong
premises to elicit belief.Deduction creates specific proofDeduction uses general information to
create a specific conclusion regarding something in the past or in the present.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Example
Deduction is an argument where the conclusion is necessarily follows from the premise.
• Major premise: Free access to public education is a key factor in the success of industrialized nations like the United States.
• Specific case: India is working to become a successful, industrialized nation.
• Conclusion: Therefore, India should provide free access to public education for its citizens.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
Don’t be Confused
• Inductive and deductive reasoning are two basic kinds of reasoning used in math, science and the humanities.
• It's easy to confuse the two, but not if you remember that they rely on different kinds of premises.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Proving Your Truth
Induction works due to the conclusionThe conclusion of an inductive argument can
be proven false by finding one false example, but cannot be proven true unless all particulars of the premise are true.
Deduction works due to the premisesThe conclusion of a deductive argument can
be proven as true or false by examining all the premises.
In your opinion, which one is better?
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Induction
When you use inductive reasoning, you move from the specific to the general. For instance:I examined 1,000 dogs in my city.
(specific) They all had fleas. (generalization)Conclusion: All dogs have fleas. (general)
The conclusion might not be factual. However, you draw a conclusion based on information you have.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Deduction
Deductive logic works from the general to specific or cause to effect. For example:
Dogs have fleas. (General)
My dog doesn't have fleas. (Specific)
Therefore, not all dogs have fleas. (Conclusion)
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Direction of the Argument
Inductive Reasoning: specific to general
Inductive reasoning is based on observation.
To use inductive reasoning, find a pattern in a collection of specific observations, then create a general conclusion based on that pattern.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Direction of the Argument
Deductive Reasoning: general to specific
Deductive reasoning is based on laws or general principles.
To use deductive reasoning, apply a general principle to a specific example.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
When to Use
How to choose your strategy:
• Use inductive reasoning to form arguments based on experience.
• Use deductive reasoning to form arguments based on rules or previously known facts.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
The Proof
• A deductive argument provides complete proof of the conclusion, as long as the premises used are true.
• An inductive argument can demonstrate only that the conclusion is probably true.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Your Turn
1. How can you create a more convincing cover, offer, or application letter?
2.What proof can you offer to convince your target reader?
3.What is the most convincing strategy of presenting your ideas?
ANSWER THESE THREE QUESTIONS
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
CONVINCING ARGUMENTS
INDUCTION
DEDUCTION
CHOOSING YOUR STRATEGY
WRITING A PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE WRITING
By Jaime Alfredo Cabrera, Lecturer, Albukhary International University
Four Focus Areas
1. Correct letter format
2. Two paragraphs
3. A clearly stated thesis statement
4. At least one emotional appeal
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Exercise
You are writing a persuasive letter to the principal of your school.
Be positive.
Remember to attack the problem, not the person.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
The Headings
Your AddressCity, State, Zip
Principal’s NameSchool’s NameSchool’s AddressCity, State Zip
Date Month Year
Dear _______:
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Paragraph One
This is your thesis statement (what you are writing about). Write at least three sentences describing what the problem(s) is, such as: cleanliness of restrooms, the dress code. Use at least one emotional appeal, such as:
The restrooms are so dirty that they pose a health hazard for the students.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Paragraph Two
Write at least three sentences proposing solutions to the problem, such as:
The custodial staff and the students could work together to keep the restrooms clean.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Paragraph Three
Write a concluding sentence, such as:
Thank you for your time. I hope you take my suggestions into consideration.
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
The Closing & Signature
Write the closing phrase, such as:
Yours truly,
Sign above your complete name, position, and organization:
Ana Banana
Sophomore student, Girvan School
SHL1013: Professional English 10/13/2012
Suggested Reading List
• What is deduction and induction? http://educ.jmu.edu/~omearawm/deduction.html
• Strengths and weaknesses of deduction and induction http://www.ehow.com/info_8608601_deduction-induction-strengths.html
• The Difference Between Deductive & Inductive Methods http://www.ehow.com/info_12005845_difference-between-deductive-inductive-methods.html
• Difference Between Deduction & Induction http://www.ehow.com/facts_4781689_difference-between-deduction-induction.html
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Inductive Reasoning http://www.ehow.com/info_8491871_advantages-disadvantages-inductive-reasoning.html
• Explanations and examples at www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/two_methods_of_reasoning.php
• More examples at www2.education.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.Bilash/best%20of%20bilash/inductivedeductive.html
• A short definition is at www.reference.com/motif/science/explain-deductive-and-inductive-methods.
• Persuasion in the English language at www.teflcertificatecourses.com/tefl-articles/tesol-inductive-deductive-approaches.php
• More details and examples at http://www.msubillings.edu/asc/resources/writing/PDF-WritingLab/Induction%20vs%20Deduction.pdf
• Deduction & Induction http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php
• Inductive reasoning http://www.newzofday.com/inductive-reasoning-html
• Induction and deduction in education, religion, and politics http://authorityresearch.com/2006-05%20Deductive-Inductive%20Reasoning%20Part%20III.htm
• Deduction and Induction http://www.thinkingshop.com/Clarion/logic/chap1.htm