Learning Objective : Today I will write and revise a business letter.

1. Agenda Sept. 4, 2012ALWAYS Have out HW and HW sheet when you get to class. I can stamp it anytime during the period. If it is not out--no stamp! • Learning Objective: Today I will write and revise a business letter. • Copy the learning objective onto your warm-up sheet for the week. Leave room for warm-up. • Learn Block Day Warm-up Structure • Lesson: Business Letter Writing for real life! • H.W. Type business letter.

2. BLOCK DAY WARM-UP • As part of our classroom routine, each block day you will complete a 5 question GRAMMAR warm-up. It will follow the exact format of today’s warm-up. • Today, we will do it together so that you become familiar with the steps (copy answers under the learning objective) • Please note: Block Day Grams will get progressively harder over the course of the year

3. 1. Capitalization: Write ONLY the words that need to be capitalized My mom went to school at mesa high school. 2. Punctuation: Write the ENTIRE sentence with proper punctuation The answer in fact is in the book 3.Parts of Speech: Write down ONLYthe correct past participle/WORD. The cat has (drank/drunk) all of his milk. 4. Sentence Combining:Combine these small sentences into a complex sentence. Use proper grammar TO COMBINE. The boy threw an eraser. The boy was angry. The boy threw an eraser at his sister. 5. Sentence Imitation: Rewrite this sentence. Change the words, but keep the structure. This is a snail shell, round, full, and glossy as a horse chestnut. Ex. This is a cheetah, big, fast, and as dangerous as a razor blade.

4. There are many ways to answer #4 and #5 1. Capitalization: write ONLY the words that need to be capitalized My mom went to school at mesa high school. When would we capitalize mom? What is the rule? 2. Punctuation: Write the sentence with proper punctuation The answer, in fact,is in the book. Because the underlined part of the sentence is not a complete sentence by itself, you use two commas, but if it were a complete sentence you would use a semi-colon and a comma. 3.Parts of Speech: Write down the correct past participle. The cat has (drank/drunk) all of his milk. 4. Sentence Combining:Combine these small sentences into a complex sentence. Use proper grammar. -The angry boy threw an eraser at his sister.(Best) -The boy throwing the eraser was angry at his sister.( Weaker because of passive verb was) O.k. 5. Sentence Imitation: Rewrite this sentence. Change the words, but keep the structure. This is a snail shell, round, full, and glossy as a horse chestnut. (See next two slides)

5. Sentence Imitation • Original: This is a snail shell, round, full, and glossy as a horse chestnut. Student Samples • This is a motorcycle, fast, big, and shiny as a polished diamond • This is a kiss, moist, soft, and sweet as a strawberry. • This is a man, practical, sensible, and cynical as a lawyer. • This is a movie, thrilling, horrifying, and as colorful as blood.

6. Whole Class Sentence Imitation • This is a snail shell, round, full, and glossy as a horse chestnut. • This is a __________ ___________, ________, and ________ as a/an _____________.

7. Your turn again • Do another, you should have three for today’s warm-up • This is a snail shell, round, full, and glossy as a horse chestnut. • This is a __________ ___________, ________, ________, and ________ as a/an _____________. • Share out

8. Business Letter Basics By Mrs. Milis

9. Format First: Look at thestudent example • Everything begins at the left margin. NO INDENTATIONS OF ANY KIND. • Do not double space! • Skip one line between paragraphs and the heading and closing. • Skip four lines between your address and the companies address. • Skip four lines between Sincerely and your typed out name • Sign your name between Sincerely and your typed out name.

10. Example Review Student Sample

11. Idea Development Start From the EndDecide what the result of your letter ought to be. List things you’d like to say, and review them. Remove those not supporting the main idea. Good letters have a strong sense of purpose. Get to the Point Early    Don’t delay. You should state your main cause in the first paragraph. Put Yourself in Your Reader’s PlaceIf the letter came to you, how would you respond? Be pleasant; try to turn negative statements into positive ones.

12. Idea Development Paragraph 1: In the first two sentences tell who you are and what job you are applying for. Give a few reasons as to why you are interested in the job. Paragraph 2:Describe your qualifications, your prior experience, and your personal character. How will these things help you do this job efficiently and effectively.Address what concerns I may have about students taking this position and show how you will not create those concerns if given the job Paragraph 3: Thank the person for their time. Leave your contact information. Leave the reader feeling good about you as a job candidate and person.

13. Persuasive Insight • Whenever you are writing persuasively you must address and refute any opposition to your cause or opinion or else your argument will be incomplete. • What might worry me about a student doing that job. Example: I would worry that the board eraser would take advantage of his/her job by taking too long or talking while up. The board eraser should not distract the class from the lesson.

14. The Overall Tone Should be • Formal • Persuasive • Positive • Upbeat • Confident

15. What is wrong with the tone in these student examples? • I’m Susan Smith, and hopefully I’ll be taken into consideration when you choose the stampers. • It has come to my attention that everyone in class has to do a job. • Even though it doesn’t seem like I can be reliable hopefully after reading this letter you will reconsider.

16. Better Tone • I am the most qualified candidate for this position. • I assure you, I will work hard. • I would like to thank you in advance for considering me for this position; you will not be disappointed.

17. Transitions • You have received the most important document you will receive in this class--the Transition Guide. Use words from this sheet to improve your writing. • To begin, Furthermore, Ultimately, However, In fact, Without doubt

18. Put Away Worn out Words, but still sound natural! • Really • Well • So • Very • Great • Big • Do not use any of these words in your paper. Alternative words can be found on the back of transition guide.

19. Finally • Make sure it looks professional and proofread, proofread, proofread. Your letter must be free of errors: good grammar, no typos, no incorrect spelling, etc. If possible, have someone else read your letter. Make sure they understand what your letter is trying to say. And ask them to double-check for errors.

20. Write Your Rough Draft • You have 30 min to write this letter. • When done, exchange papers and revise for the following: • Circle worn out words • Add transitions • Correct the format---make sure it follows the example • Grade each other’s RD using the rubric on the back of your each other’s HW sheet.

21. Mingling Activity • You will meet and discuss your business letter and the corrections needed on your business letter with three people you do not know. • Shake their hand upon meeting them and shake their hand at the end. Remember to say, “It was a pleasure to meet you hope to see you again.” • You may only mingle with one other person each time. • The bell will tell you when to start and stop a conversation.

22. H.W. • Type up the final draft of your business letter. Proofread and revise it one last time before printing. Use the rubric and student example to guide your writing and revision. Do not forget to include transition words. • Your first 100pt assignment!