Notes
Personal and college essays
- A personal essay uses a hook, a turning point and a reflection. Show, don't tell with concrete details.
- The Common App essay allows up to 650 words. Choose a focused topic, avoid clichés and résumé lists, and show growth and voice.
Résumés and cover letters
- A résumé is usually one page, in reverse chronological order, with strong action verbs, numbers and parallel structure.
- A cover letter is tailored to the position and links your experience to the employer's needs without repeating the résumé.
Professional email and revision
- Use a specific subject line, a polite greeting, a clear purpose, a respectful tone and a proper closing.
- Revise for concision and active voice. Read aloud and proofread.
Topics in this unit
Each topic has its own short notes and practice.
Practice
Specific actions let the reader infer the feeling.
The limit is 650 words; a focused story is stronger.
Strong verbs and numbers show impact.
The closing is polite, specific and professional.
A clear subject helps the reader understand and prioritize.
Active voice with a number is clear and concise.
Free response
Write your answer first, then open the scoring guide.
Free-response question
A student drafted this résumé bullet: "Was responsible for helping with the school newspaper." The same student drafted this email to a hiring manager. Subject: "Hi". Body: "hey i need to know about the internship. tell me asap."
(a) Rewrite the résumé bullet using a strong action verb and a specific detail. (You may invent reasonable details for the model answer.)
Show the answer and scoring guide
Edited weekly articles for the school newspaper, working with 10 writers to meet publication deadlines.
Check off the points you earned:
(b) Identify two problems with the email.
Show the answer and scoring guide
The subject line is vague ("Hi"). The tone is too casual and demanding: it uses lowercase, no greeting, no name, and "asap." It also does not say which internship.
Check off the points you earned:
(c) Rewrite the email so it is professional.
Show the answer and scoring guide
Subject: Question about the Summer Internship Application. Dear Ms. Alvarez, I am a junior at Lincoln High School and am interested in the summer internship. Could you please tell me when applications are due and what materials are required? Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jordan Lee.
Check off the points you earned: