Things to know for the final exam:

5 Rhetorical Principles for Cover Letter:
1. Argument: Cover letters usually start with a set of premises, a set of facts, and you draw a conclusion from these facts that tell the organization that they should consider you. The main set of facts that you have at your disposal is presented in your resume. The resume is, if you will, the set of proofs for the points you will make in the cover letter.
2. Selection: Rhetoric and its associated discipline design is all about selecting some things from other things. You cannot present everything; you have to choose which points are most important. The choices you make in a resume determine how effective your cover letter can be. When writing cover letters, most people have problems in one of two areas: either not being informative enough or being way over the top. It is an extremely difficult balance to strike. This is where writing skills come into play very sharply.
3. Exemplification: Is demonstration by use of examples. We are all familiar with the practice of exemplification…(to be continued, awaiting Prof response!)
4. Confutation: is something we do but do not practice often enough. It is the recognition that someone might have something to say against your case. You must be able to anticipate the argument against you and deal with it so that it does not become an issue of any kind.
5. Audience: It is always important to recognize your audience and meet their needs when you are writing. Tailor your cover letter as you would your resume to fit the needs of the employer.

Rhetorical Principles of a Proposal

1. Organization: Organizing material for a persuasive affect/appeal; organizing to suit the audience’s needs, wants – it has to be ordered so that they will see quickly right off the bat how this is answering their needs and helping them
2. Argument: In part about organization. It has to do with using points for and against
3. Ethos: Drafting so that the document is well-written, intelligently written, appropriate for the topic matter and for the audience; demonstration of using language professionally.
4. Clarity: Because you are specifically attempting to answering a need for your audience and asking them to give you the job at hand or the money that you need, being clear is crucial. The last thing you want is for them to toss the proposal aside because