Writing question
-
Introduction. Look at the sample Letters of Recruitment on Canvas for ideas. An introduction is a place to set your tone (as in anyintroduction). You are welcoming the reader to the department, thechallenge of this important decision: choosing a major. Establishingyour inviting and gracious tone can be short, focused and charming.
-
Start to introduce the curriculum. That’s how most students arrange this letter. Some will provide a BRIEF overview of courses, units required, etc., but they then begin to discuss the 2-3 specific courses, some specific work in these courses that will entice the reader, informthe reader of some of the more technical work, etc. Building your authority in this letter is paramount. The technical, discipline-specific parts of this letter will make or break this academic authority.
-
Next is the faculty. Some of you might want to discuss the professors while you are talking about the course in the section above (see:curriculum). That makes sense. But often students discuss 2-3courses, in the previous section, and then 2-3 professors in a different section. You can mix this strategy. You might discuss one of the professors as you are explaining the curriculum. And then 2 other professors in this section we’re calling the faculty section of your paper.
-
Department/major facilities might enhance your argument. Facilities might also be part of the discussion of curriculum. Explaining the kind of work spaces and/or tools or simulations students have access to can be quite interesting and illustrative of your major and professional discourse.
-
Students often move to internships, clubs, or organizations that are affiliated with the major/department. Be specific if you can and hopefully this discussion can shed light on the discourse (what a speaker talked about at a club meeting, what an organization does in the community, etc.).
-
Study abroad might be another section/discussion that can enhance your LoR. I talked about how the academic part of a study abroad trip would be quite interesting. Sharing how you traveled and partied in a foreign city doesn’t quite do enough for a letter like this (some clever writing might be able to do a bit of both: the academic and exciting cultural experience).
-
You might talk briefly about job opportunities for people graduating with this major; students have cited Department of Labor statistics, or given some data on salaries, different professions, job titles, etc.
-
That’s a wrap! Provide a nice brief farewell. See the samples for ideas, too.
SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT
