Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women

Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

LESSON 3
PURPOSEFUL WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES AND THE PROFESSIONS

A. INTRODUCTION

As senior high school students, one aim that we need to achieve is how to write
formal papers like Literature Review and Application Letter, also called cover letter.
These types of paper are just some of the most common papers that you write
which may be asked from you in other subjects. As students of the 21 st century, we
are called to be researchers someday in order to contribute to our chosen field of
work. Likewise, knowing how to write an application letter will be so much helpful as
it may become an edge to be part of your dream company or workplace.

B. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:
1. Explain how ones purpose is a crucial consideration in academic and professional
writing
2. Identifie the unique features of and requirements in composing texts that are
useful across disciplines
a. Book Review or article Critique
b. Literature Review
c. Research Report
d. Project Proposal
e. Position Paper
3. Identify the unique features of and requirements in composing professional
correspondence
a. Resume
b. Application for College Admission
c. Application for Employment
d. Various forms of Office Correspondence

C. CONTENT

3.1 Unique Features and Requirements across Disciplines

Literature Review

The review should describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify this literature.
It should give a theoretical basis for the research and help you determine the
nature of your own research.
Select a limited number of works that are central to your area rather than
trying to collect a large number of works that are not as closely connected to
your topic area.
A literature review goes beyond the search for information and includes the
identification and articulation of relationships between the literature and your
field of research.
While the form of the literature review may vary with different types of
studies, the basic purposes remain constant:
Provide a context for the research
Justify the research

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

Ensure the research hasn't been done before (or that it is not just a
"replication study")

Purposes
Show where the research fits into the existing body of knowledge
Enable the researcher to learn from previous theory on the subject
Illustrate how the subject has been studied previously
Highlight flaws in previous research
Outline gaps in previous research
Show that the work is adding to the understanding and knowledge of the field
Help refine, refocus or even change the topic

How is a literature review different from an academic research paper?

Academic Paper Literature Review

To develop a new argument As a foundation and as support for a
new insight that you contribute
To summarize and synthesize the
arguments and ideas of others
without adding new contributions.

Simply put, literature review is a simple summary of sources. Reasons why literature
review is written are to be updated with the latest information, provide a solid
background for your paper, serves as a handy guide to the topic, and can give you
an overview or act as a stepping stone for your paper.

Strategies for your Literature Review

Tips Method
Jump Offs Start with handbooks and research overviews and review their
references
Track and map Track the names of key authors and locate their original works.
authors
Use library guides See http://library.queensu.ca/research/subjects
if appropriate.
Record key Look for patterns and frameworks in what is written about a
definitions and topic such as the context social, political, historical.
their context.
Establish a Determine types of materials needed (books, primary sources,
personal search government documents, statistics, scholarly articles, opinion
pattern. pieces, etc.) and how to access them. Become aware of your
search patterns. Track your strategy, including reference tools,
databases, authors, questions, and search problems.

Make strategic use Work out the best way to search each journal index along with
of journal index Google and Google Scholar. List search terms, subjects, and
and search engine descriptors which are specific to each index. Find out how to
index and search narrow searches. Search key authors.
engine advanced
search
capabilities.
Use citation Search key authors and specific works in a citation index to find
indexes. who has cited them. See Web of Science; Google Scholar
Track your Use RefWorks to manage references and create APA

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

references. bibliographies. Learn the elements of APA

Talk to your Make an appointment with one of us to review your needs.
librarian

3.2 Unique Features and Requirements in Composing Professional

Correspondence

THE NATURE OF A BUSINESS LETTER

Time is gold in the business world, businessman need one instrument that can
make them iron out business deals or negotiations at once. This instrument is none
other than the business letter, the backbone of business.

A business correspondent of a business letter writer must possess the following

traits to produce effective business letters: wide understanding of human behavior,
keep imagination, good command of the English language, sense of humor, and
good judgment. In other words, he must be a psychologist creative, objective, and
flexible. As a psychologist, he must know the likes and dislike of the party with
whom he is dealing. He takes the you attitude to bring out a meeting of the mind,
between him and the other party. His creativeness or keen imagination is shown by
his ability in presenting a clear and accurate picture of the thing he wants the other
party to accept. This he can easily do with the use of fresh, original, and specific
words, rather than stereotyped or worn-out expressions. If he has good

judgment, he can view things objectively. This means he bases his decisions on
what he thinks about the object, instead of what he feels about it.

The business world is beset with all kinds of risks or challenges. To survive
unscathed in this dog-eat-dog kind of world, a business correspondent must have a
good sense of humor, or the ability to manage himself intelligently and confidently
in times of difficulties. He must not allow problems to knock him down or dampen
his spirits. Allowing optimism or positive thinking to prevail over him, he swims
through life or meets challenges confidently. Amidst all these trials, a man with a
good sense of humor is capable of standing strong and of sporting a cheerful face
that radiates what he truly thinks and feels about life. Indeed, only a person with
wide perceptions about life can behave this way.

Therefore, if you want to be a good business-letter writer, you have to know a

lot about many things in this world.

A business letter must have the following characteristics or the 8Cs:

1. Clarity clearness of the idea

2. Conciseness completeness of idea with the use of fewest number of words
possible
3. Consideration taking the you point-of-view
4. Courtesy the use of polite expressions to show respect
5. Concreteness the use of vivid, specific words that appeal to the senses
6. Cheerfulness the use of positive expressions that signal lively dispositions in
life
7. Character shows the writers own style or uniqueness in writing

THE PARTS OF A BUSINESS LETTER

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

1. Heading

The heading is the first part of the letter. It gives two kinds of information
about the writer: the primary information, which refers the name, address and
telephone number of the company, and the secondary information, which gives
other information about the writer like the nature, logo, motto, and the list of
officers of the company. If the heading is placed at the topmost middle part of
the papers, and is presented in a decorative or extraordinary style, it is
considered a modern style of heading. Letterhead is the term used for this kind
of heading. But if the heading is at the upper side of the paper, it is thought of
as a traditional heading, where only the address and the date are stated.

Letterhead or Modern Heading

DAN-DAN ENTERPRISES
38 Samson Street, Nova., Quezon City
June 24, 2008
______________
______________
______________

______________:

_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________
______________

Traditional Heading

38 Samson St.
Nova., Quezon City
June 24, 2008
________________
________________
________________

________________:

__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

________________
________________
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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

2. Inside Address

This is the second part of the letter where you see the name and the address
of the person to whom the letter is addressed. This information about the
addressee must be contained in only 3 to 4 lines, with the first line occupying
the name, plus the position of the addressee in the company, he is working for,
and second and third lines for his exact address.

The position of the addressee may be placed right after the name in the first
line. A comma is used to separate it from the name. It can also be placed in the
second line together with the name of the company where the addressee is
employed.

3. Salutation or Greeting

Coming two spaces after the Inside Address is the third part of the letter
which is the Salutation. Since its purpose is to cheer up the addressee, it is
called Greeting.

A colon is used after the Salutation in a formal letter, a common in a friendly

letter. Capitalize the first word and the name mentioned in this part of the letter.
Here are some examples of greeting ranging from the most formal to the least
formal greeting.

Sir, Madam (Mesdames for Plural) must formal salutation for top-ranking
government

Dear Sir / Dear Maam more formal salutation

Dr. / Mr. Cruz, Dear Mrs. Prado formal salutation

4. Body

This forms the longest and most important part of the letter. It is here where
you present your ideas or message to the addressee. All the qualities of a good
business letter correspondent and

the 8Cs (correctness, concreteness, conciseness, character, consideration,

cheerfulness, courtesy, and clarity) should be reflected in the body of the letter.

You should give particular attention to the opening sentence of the body for
this is your way of attracting the attention of the receiver / reader. Likewise, the
last sentence of the body is necessarily important because this is the means by
which you will win him to your side or getting his final decision on whatever you
are offering. Avoid using the present participle form like hoping, trusting, and
believing to end your letter. Instead, use I hope, I trust, I believe, and others.

5. Complimentary Close

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

Following the body is the complimentary close that consists of two or three
words. In comparison to the Salutation, this part also uses expressions that
observe certain degrees of formality. Study these examples:

Very respectfully yours, - most formal

Respectfully yours, - more formal
Very truly yours,
Truly yours,
Sincerely yours, - formal
Friendly yours,
Always,
- informal
Lovingly Yours,

6. Signature

This consists of the signature of the writer which is of two kinds;

penned signature and printed. To give enough space for the penned signature
that appears over the printed signature, you have to allot four spaces
between the complimentary close and the printed signature. Sign in your
usual way. In the case of a married woman, she must always put Mrs. before
her name, otherwise she will be considered to be single. In business letter
writing, only the males can sign their names without the title indicating their
status in life. Further, if the signature is preceded by initials, (A,D, Yulo) this
means it belongs to a man.

If the letter comes from a friend and the letterhead does not indicate
the position of the writer in the company, such position of the writer in the
company, such position must be included in the complimentary close. Refer
to the following example:

Respectfully Yours,
DAN-DAN
ENTERPRISES

L.D. Gara

COVER LETTER

When you send resume to an employer it must be accompanied by a cover

letter. This letter is essential. The purpose of the application letter or cover letter is
to highlight the skills, education and experience you possess related to their
position. You will express to an employer why you are interested in the position and
what contributions you believe you can make to the organization based upon your
qualifications. Since the cover letter is the ideal place to focus on the specific skills
you want to emphasize for a particular employee, a unique cover letter must
accompany each resume you send.

The cover letter can make all the difference and land you the interview that you
want. Know what to say and how to say it, so you get noticed by potential
employers. Therefore, it is critical that as a candidate you are able to write
professional letters throughout your job search.

Your Cover Letter

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

A handshake in the mail.

Targets a specific position.
Represents you to people youve never met before.
Gives a glimpse of your personality
The best cover letters show how your qualifications match the needs of
the company
Sell the writers services
Secure through his letter a position
Convince the reader that the writer has the qualification demanded for
the position
State important qualification for the job
Avoid egoism but not too humble.
Strong favorable impression

Sample Cover Letter Outline

YOUR STREET ADDRESS

CITY, PROVINCE, ZIP
DATE

EMPLOYER NAME
TITLE
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS

SALUTATION:

The first paragraph should establish why the letter is being written. Cite the
source where you learned about the opening. Has someone referred to you to this
employer? If so, use their name (with permission). Perhaps you are just inquiring
about the possibility of an opening. If so, try to write something about you that will
make the reader want to know more about you.

The second and perhaps third paragraph establishes your qualifications. You
can include the highlight of your qualification, your unique academic, experiential
and personal qualities and how they relate to the position you are seeking. Provide
one or two specific examples that demonstrate your most outstanding career-
related characteristics. Stress how you can be a valuable addition to the company.
Mention information that points out that youve done your homework. Ideally,
through research, youve developed a certain degree of knowledge about the
company.

The next paragraph is fairly action-oriented. You should let the employer know
that you would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview at their
convenient time and/or that you look forward to hearing their response.

Thank you for your consideration is all you need to say in the last paragraph.

Sincerely,

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

Signature
Typed Name

D. VALUES INTEGRATION
Writing professionally is indeed a challenge for most of us since it is formal
and academic. It is a tool that we need to sharpen as it is important in any field of
work. Since these are formal papers, we should know how to express information in
a positive and polite manner.

E. REFERENCES

Baraceros, Esther L. (2009). English 3: English for Academic Writing. Manila: Rex
Book Store.

Flores, Magelende Magallona, et.al. (2009). Thought and Expression Academic

Writing. Quezon City:
C&E Publishing, Inc.

Gamez, Jhona Niem. (2014). English for the Workplace 1: A Professional Reading and
Listening Course
for College and Career. Quezon City: Great Books Publishing.

F. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, Structured Discussion, Activities

G. ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Formative Examinations (Quiz, Major Exams, Assignments, and Projects)

Activity: (10 points)

Read the following sample of Literature Review. Write your answers in a

crosswise.

1. What are the subtopics found in the Review of Literature?

2. What did Stubbs say about discourse analysis?

3. How does Schiffrin support Stubbs statement?

4. Who are the other authorities mentioned about discourse analysis?

5. In what period was the rise of Child Language Research? What does it say?

6. What theories support development of language in children?

7. What do Dell Hymes and Michael Halliday tell about the Sociolinguistic theory?

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

8. Do you think a child can develop his pragmatic skills before uttering his first adult
word? What line does or does not prove this?

9. What studies or researches were done in relation to Childrens Conversation

Skills?

10. How important is the adults role in a childs conversation skills? Why?

Answer Key:

1. Discourse Analysis, Child Language Research and Childrens Conversation Skills

2. Refers mainly to the linguistic analysis of naturally occurring connected speech or

within discourse

3. Schiffrin talks about discourse as a particular unit aboce the sentence, or a

particular focus of language

4. Malcolm Coulthard, Teun Van Dijk, Noam Chomsky and Michael Halliday

5. Sixties. Many of the language scholars endeavored to study the language of

children in the hope of learning the developmental process in order to facilitate
child behavior change, and to increase special educators insight into normal and
other-than-normal processes (Owens)

6. behavioral, cognitive, psycholinguistic, and sociolinguistic theories

7. Hymes claimed the importance of communicative competence while Halliday

underscores the functions of language in communicative interaction.

8. Yes, studies have shown that even before a child is able to utter his first adult
word, he has already shown some sort of development in his pragmatic skills.

9. Caregiver Involvement in First Language Acquisition of Children in the Home: A

Case Study by Gracita Pe Benito and Hey! Ive Got Something to tell you: A Study
of the Initiation of Conversational Exchanges by Preschool Children by McTear.

10. Crucial. The success of such conversation is usually dependent on adults

abilities to pick up, manage, interpret, comment on, extend, repeat and sometimes
demonstrate appropriate conversational acts within adult/child conversations.

Activity:

Fill in the blanks with the correct words. Choose from the choices in the boxes.

familiarized familier familiar anxiety demands

mentioned attached experiment expression experience

pressure excellently fluently strongly available

round accessible hesitate wait stop

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

shown advertised presented worked employed

apply want pursue take included

Dear Mr. Monde:

I am writing to (1)__________ for the position of Copywriter which was (2)__________ in

the latest edition of bestjobsph.com.

I am currently (3)__________ by Bio-Tech as a research assistant, but I am keen to

(4)__________ a career in publishing, because I enjoy reading, writing and editing.

As you will notice on the (5)__________ CV, I graduated in Comparative Literature. At

the University of the Philippines, I gained considerable (6)__________ working on The
Philippine Collegian (Campus Journalism), so I am (7)__________ with proofreading
techniques. I work well under (8)__________ and enjoy working in a team. In addition,
I speak English (9)__________.

I would be (10)__________ for an interview at your most convenient time. Please do

not (11)__________ to contact me if you require further information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Kelvin Nate Thor Games

Answer Key:

1. apply

2. advertised

3. employed

4. pursue

5. attached

6. experience

7. familiar

8. pressure

9. fluently

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

10. available

11. hesitate

Quiz: Review of Literature: (5 pts.)

Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if not.

1. The literature review helps the review to follow traditional events and strategies.

2. The review of literature helps to determine the nature of your research.

3. Literature review is a simple summary of sources a compilation of information,

studies and researches.

4. The review of literature of literature aims to develop a new argument a problem

or a thesis statement.

5. The aim of review of literature is to summarize the arguments and ideas of others
without adding new contributions.

Answer Key:

1. False

2. True

3. True

4. False

5. True

Quiz: Cover Letter: ( 5 pts.)

I. Identification

1. Forms the longest and most important part of the letter

2. Purpose is to cheer up the addressee

3. Also called the closing remarks

4. Indicates the name and the address of the person to whom the letter is
addressed

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 Mary Our Help Technical Institute for Women
Doc. Title: Lesson Plan in Reading and Writing Skills Doc. Code:
MOH.INS.BEd.01/02/03/04
Department: Academic Affairs Rev. #: 00 Effectivity
Date: June 1, 2015

5. Information that tells when the letter was made

Answer Key:

1. Body of the letter

2. Salutation

3. Complimentary Close

4. Inside Address

5. Date line

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