Mid-term Examination for Business Writing Course
This is an open book examination. Students are expected to hand in two separate assignments, one
page for each. One assignment is the “Critique Essay,” in which students are to evaluate and critique a
Sample Thank You letter. The other assignment is the “Revised Letter.” which is a newer version of this
Sample Thank You letter, with the necessary corrections and changes students think should be made.
Instructions for Both Assignments
1. The Sample Thank You letter below is a letter written by a student after a job interview. This
letter is written in a very casual and personal manner. Your task is to examine first, and then
revise this letter from the point of view of a formal business letter.
2. Please review this Sample Thank You letter, very carefully, and a couple of times if necessary.
3. Write a “Critique Essay,” in which you evaluate the Sample letter, commenting on both the good
aspects and the poor aspects of the letter, based on your understanding of a formal business
letter as learned in our course.
4. Here are some guidelines in reviewing and evaluating this Sample letter, by identifying both the
positive as well as negative aspects.
o Content: Are the meanings clearly stated? Is there anything unclear or unnecessary?
o Appropriateness: Is the tone or the language appropriate to this kind of formal letter?
o Organization: Is the layout appropriate for this kind of letter?
o Grammar: Is there any language you think is not correct?
5. Your essay should be consisted of three sections. The 1st section is a brief opening, informing the
reader what and how you are going to evaluate the Sample letter. The 2nd sections may include
two paragraphs. One paragraph is on the positive aspects of the Sample letter, and the other is
on the negative aspects of the Sample letter. The 3rd sections is a brief summary of your
opinions already conveyed above.
6. In addition to this Essay, you are to use this Sample letter as a base, and make the necessary
corrections you think needed, regarding words, phrases, sentences, as well as organizations,
paragraphs, and punctuations. Remember you are to edit and correct this Sample letter into a
formal business letter. This is not a complete rewrite of another Thank You letter.
7. Both assignments, two separate pages are due on Wednesday the 20th.
Sample Thank You Letter
Hello Sara,
I wanna say thanks for speaking with me for the Executive Assistant position this week.
It was great seeing you again and knowing about your work at Marketing Department.
As I’m sure you can tell during the interview, I’m very enthusiastic about joining your
team. My skills and experience would add to the excellent job you’re all already doing.
Again, as you know, I’d love to work with you — and to catch up on our lives. Hope you
can reply soon, I am in a bit of a hurry.
Regards
Emily