Peer Review of Cover Letters

  1. Using the "Cover letter peer editing" tag display, take a look through the cover letters everyone posted to their weblog. Choose two and post a comment to each that you will be responding to his or her application letter drafts. In choosing two, try to pick ones that have not received any responses or notices that someone is responding.
  2. Then, compose a detailed response for each that carefully addresses all of the questions below and tries also to address the writer's concerns. If you have additional suggestions for response not covered by the questions below, the writer would certainly appreciate the feedback; however, you are still responsible for addressing all of the listed questions.
  3. When finished, post each response as a comment to the weblog posts you are responding to.

In composing your response, you might find it easier to first just to go through and address all the questions on a sheet of paper or in a document file. Your tone should be informal but professional and not overly casual. A friendly voice in feedback is good; many writer's are more comfortable at accepting cricitism of their work when it come from a good-natured, sympathetic responder.

Also, when talking about specific areas of the author's text, be sure to include specific quotation within your feedback. Take advantage of the fact that you can easily copy and paste to point directly to what you are referring to from the draft. (Try using Firefox or Safari's "tabbed browsing" to keep multiple windows easily available during this type of peer review.).

Form and Style

  1. Does the letter include all the necessary components (return address, header, salutation, introductory paragraph, body paragraph(s), and conclusion)? If not, what’s missing?
  2. Does the writer use block format (all text flush with the left margin)?
  3. Does the style of the letter suit the occasion? Is it too informal? Too formal or generic? Explain.
  4. Does the writer take the right tone? (E.g., come off as enthusiastic without gushing? highly qualified without bragging?) Explain.
  5. Are there any spelling or mechanical errors? If so, identify them, either by listing them here or by circling them on a printed draft.

Content/Rhetorical Context

  1. Does the letter speak directly and specifically to the job ad, using keywords to organize the discussion of his or her qualifications? Even if it does, what could be done better?
  2. Does the writer mention specific reasons why he or she has applied for the position? Explain.
  3. Does the writer identify specific skills, using terminology that other experienced people would recognize?
  4. Does the introductory paragraph identify the position applied for, its source, and then the major reason(s) why the writer is well-suited?
  5. Does the conclusion say how the writer can be contacted for further discussion or an interview? Does the letter end on a high note? Explain.
  6. What is the most important revision the writer should make? Explain.