persuasive writing skills for job application letters

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:


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.




INDUCTION

DEDUCTION



PERSUASIVE WRITING


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.


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.


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

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


Which one is better?

10/13/2012



INDUCTION

DEDUCTION



PERSUASIVE WRITING


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.


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.



Decision Tree

10/13/2012



INDUCTION

DEDUCTION



PERSUASIVE WRITING


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.


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.


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.




INDUCTION

DEDUCTION



PERSUASIVE WRITING


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.


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?


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.


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)


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.


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.


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.


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.


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




INDUCTION

DEDUCTION


WRITING A PERSUASIVE LETTER

PERSUASIVE WRITING


Four Focus Areas

1. Correct letter format

2. Two paragraphs

3. A clearly stated thesis statement

4. At least one emotional appeal


Exercise

You are writing a persuasive letter to the principal of your school.

Be positive.

Remember to attack the problem, not the person.


The Headings

Your AddressCity, State, Zip

Principal’s NameSchool’s NameSchool’s AddressCity, State Zip

Date Month Year

Dear _______:


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.


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.


Paragraph Three

Write a concluding sentence, such as:

Thank you for your time. I hope you take my suggestions into consideration.


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


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

http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/two_methods_of_reasoning.php

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