Writing the Portfolio Cover Letter
Your portfolio cover letter should do the following:
•
Properly introduce you to the committee.
•
Explain what your résumé can’t.
•
Demonstrate your written communication skills without interference of
grammatical mistakes and poor usage.
•
State your goals and recognized strengths and weaknesses. (Be sure to say
how you plan to “fix” any weaknesses you mention.)
•
Convince readers that they would like to meet/interview you.
The cover letter sets the stage for your entire portfolio presentation. As you write it,
consider these points:
• Although this is a formal letter, it doesn’t have to be dry! Let your written
voice come through.
•
Yes, this letter introduces you to the committee members, but DO NOT write
something like “Hi! My name is Susan and I am 17 years old.”
•
What did you learn/realize/understand about yourself and/or your high school
experience as you put your portfolio together?
•
What are your plans for the future, both immediate and long-range?
•
Remember your audience. . . . Being negative or sarcastic only makes you
look bad.
Most business letters such as your cover letter are written in modified block or full
block. The example on the back of this sheet is written in full-block format, which
means that everything starts at the left margin. There is NO indenting!
You may also want to fully justify the letter, which means that the right margin would be
as straight as the left margin. (This page is fully justified.)
Remember to make and sign at least four copies of your letter (one for your portfolio
and one for each member of the committee); also make multiple copies of your résumé.
There’s more on the back.
The seven components of a business letter
1. Your address and the date
Street address
City, State zip code
Date
Note: Do not put your name here.
2. The inside address
Portfolio Committee
Dripping Springs High School
111 Tiger Lane
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Note: This is the address you should use.
3. Salutation
Dear Committee Members:
Note: This is the correct salutation; follow
it with a colon, not a comma.
4. Body
The paragraphs of the letter
Note: This is a multi-paragraph letter.
5. Closing
Sincerely,
Note: Follow your closing with a comma.
6. Signature
Note: Don’t forget to sign each letter.
7. Typed name
Note: Leave four spaces between the
closing and your typed name.
123 Main St.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
March 1, 2008
Portfolio Committee
Dripping Springs High School
940 Highway 290 West
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Dear Committee Members:
This is just an example of what your letter should look like, but it doesn’t contain examples of what you
should say in the letter. Write some kind of an introductory paragraph the same way you would write one
for an essay.
The next paragraph should continue with what you want to say to the committee. This letter—together
with the way you’re dressed, your handshake, and the way you verbally introduce yourself—gives the
committee its first impression of you. Make it a good one!
The paragraphs shouldn’t necessarily be this short, but I’m running out of room, so I’m having to keep this
example letter short. Be sure that your voice comes through. That just means that the words “sound” like
you; however, sound like yourself without using slang.
Sincerely,
Minnie Mouse