week7_2
2/Activities Checklist - 17.FA.ENG.1131.pdf
2017/9/25 Activities Checklist - 17.FA.ENG.1131.A51 BUSINESS WRITING
https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/89797/viewContent/3085293/View 1/1
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To meet the learning objectives for this topic, you will complete these activities. Print this page and use it as a checklist.
Review the Introduction and Objectives page. Read Module Module 12: Persuasive Messages. Complete the Learning Activities page. Read the online lessons: Tips for Completing the Persuasive Sales Letter and Prewriting and Organizing the Persuasive Sales Letter. Read the Grading Rubric for the Persuasive Sales Letter. Assignment: Complete a rough draft of your persuasive sales letter, post it in the discussion forum, and then review two or more of your classmate's letters. You will create your own original product or service; hence, you will not choose an exercise from the textbook. Make sure you product is completely original (Not a Verizon smart phone for example) and read all the online lessons and the instructions on the discussion forum closely and carefully. Assignment: Submit the revised, final version of your Persuasive Sales Letter in the drop box. Assignment: Complete the quiz.
2/Grading Rubric for the Persuasive Sales Letter - 17.FA.ENG.1131.pdf
2017/9/25 Grading Rubric for the Persuasive Sales Letter - 17.FA.ENG.1131.A51 BUSINESS WRITING
https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/89797/viewContent/3085321/View 1/1
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The correct use of these criteria will determine your grade on your final letter:
The letter is organized correctly:
1. The first paragraph gets the reader's attention by telling a mini-story and/or offering facts and statistics. The product or service is stated at the end of the first paragraph. The paragraph is 5-7 lines in length.
2. The second paragraph discusses the product or service in detail. It is 5-7 lines in length.
3. The third paragraph provides specific reader benefits and provides a bulleted list of reader benefits; the bulleted items are parallel. The paragraph is 5-7 lines in length with a minimum of 3 bullets and 2 sentences/lines of text.
4. The fourth paragraph asks the reader specifically for an action. A specific time period is stated. It is 2-3 lines in length.
The writing includes specific and accurate word choice and details and does NOT use the following words: thing, good, really, very, extremely, wonderful, outstanding, or any synonym of the above (refer to the online lesson in week 2 on precise words). The writing uses active versus passive voice. The writing uses is, are, was, were, be, been, being, and am ONE time or less per paragraph, and does not use "There is, there are, there was, there were, there _____ be, and there ______ been" at all. Instead, the writing uses action verbs such as describes, shows, presents, writes, run, ran, talked, talk, and so forth (refer to the online lesson in week 2 on action verbs). The writing uses familiar words. The letter uses "you-attitude" throughout; the letter emphasizes what the reader wants to know and does not use "I, me, my, myself, we," or phrases that emphasize "The company (name)" and not the reader. The letter uses positive words and de-emphasizes any negatives.
Does not use negative words such as "no" and "limited," plus most "un-words, in-words," and so forth (refer to chapter 7 for a list). The letter provides specific and precise reader benefits. Detailed examples of how the reader will benefit appear in the third paragraph. The letter does not refer to the reader's or the writer's feelings at all. The writing uses no slang, cliches, trite or over-used expressions, and no biasied or sexist language. (Be sure the salutation goes to Ms. if the letter is addressed to a woman). The writing is free of typographical errors. Words are spelled and used correctly. Commas, quotation marks, and other punctuation marks are used correctly. The writing contains correct grammar without sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences. The letter is formatted correctly:
1. Full block format is used. 2. 12 point Calibri or Times New Roman font is used. 3. Spacing is correct. 4. The letter includes a company letterhead, date, inside address to an individual at a company, a
salutation followed by colon, four paragraphs, and a close. 5. All components except for the letterhead are lined up on the left margin.
2/Introduction and Objectives - 17.FA.ENG.1131.pdf
2017/9/25 Introduction and Objectives - 17.FA.ENG.1131.A51 BUSINESS WRITING
https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/89797/viewContent/3085292/View 1/1
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Introduction
Most of us at some time have had ideas for products or services. Maybe you've thought: I could make money doing that, or selling that. Now's your chance to try out an idea. This week, you'll compose a sales letter for an original product or service. You can be as serious or as funny as you want; in the past students have written letters about port-a-potties with aromatherapy and lawn mowers with gps navigation systems! More serious letters have discussed catering services and auto detailing.
You won't choose an exercise from the textbook for your sales letter. You'll choose your own product or service and follow the format as discussed in the online lesson.
This topic also emphasizes the writing process. Like the previous lessons, you'll post a draft, post peer responses, and submit your final letter by the set deadlines. You'll also take a quiz over Module 12 in the textbook.
Objectives
After completing the learning activities for this topic, you will be able to:
Choose and implement persuasive strategies Organize a sales letter Compose a sales letter Analyze business communication situations Emphasize what the reader wants to know in your writing Adapt your message to your audience Emphasize the positive in your writing Use an appropriate tone in your writing Develop reader benefits with logic and details Build goodwill in your business letter
2/Learning Activities_ Persuasive Messages - 17.FA.ENG.1131.pdf
2017/9/25 Learning Activities: Persuasive Messages - 17.FA.ENG.1131.A51 BUSINESS WRITING
https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/89797/viewContent/3085318/View 1/1
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View This
Describe the video clip for the lesson here.
Click on the link to view the video: (URL link or here)Writing a Persuasive Message
Explore Resources
For further information and insight, look at the accompanying Purdue University link to write an effective closing.
Sales Letters: Four Point Action Closing
Another Activity
This animated video describes the six universal Principles of Persuasion that have been scientifically proven to make you most effective based on the research in Dr. Cialdini’s groundbreaking book, Influence. This video is narrated by Dr. Robert Cialdini and Steve Martin, CMCT. Click on this link to become enlightened: The Science of Persuasion
Another Activity
1. Follow the appropriate checklist for your message: Figure 12.9 or Figure 12.10.
2. Also, look at the "Polishing Your Prose" section at the end of the module. Your personality and enthusiasm needs to be conveyed in a persuasive letter because that may be what sells your product or service.
2/Prewriting and Organizing the Persuasive Sales Letter - 17.FA.ENG.1131.pdf
2017/9/25 Prewriting and Organizing the Persuasive Sales Letter - 17.FA.ENG.1131.A51 BUSINESS WRITING
https://elearn.sinclair.edu/d2l/le/content/89797/viewContent/3085320/View 1/1
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Brainstorm: ideas for your product or service. Take five minutes and list all the products
and/or services that come to you. You can be creative, but keep with proper decorum, and within the law (smile). In the past, students have written about shoes that always fit and never hurt, underwear that never rides up, hair and beauty products that offer numerous benefits, auto repair and detailing services, catering and personal chef services, dog and cat grooming and sitting services, cleaning services, repair services, and so on.
Please make your product or service original. You can sell make up for example, but not specific brands that are already on the market. You can persuade customers to use your auto repair shop, but make sure it's your shop, not a Midas franchise. After you finish brainstorming, choose the product or service that interests you the most. Brainstorm an appealing name. Perhaps you can even think of a slogan!
First Paragraph Brainstorm and Write:
a mini-story and/or facts or statistics that will get your reader's attention. I donate regularly to the ASPCA and the letters I receive from them always get my attention. (A fund raising letter, by the way, is essentially a sales letter.) The ASPCA usually starts letters by telling me a story about an abused animal. I'll never forget the story of Astro the dog, who lived tied to a post on a three foot piece of chain. The paragraph began with the story and then concluded with a sentence that told me if I donated to the ASPCA, I could prevent dogs like Astro from being abused. I had my checkbook out fast! Think about your reader! Think about what will get your reader's attention. This letter is not about you and what you can do or what you have done. It's about what your product or service can do for the reader. Keep that at the forefront as you compose your letter.
Second Paragraph Brainstorm and Write:
specific details about your product or service. Describe the product or service. Use all five senses--sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste. Think about size, Think about dimension. Phrase the details using "you- attitude." Focus on what the reader will receive.
Third Paragraph Brainstorm and Write:
reader benefits. Specifically, focus on how and in what ways the reader will benefit by using your product or service. Remember effective reader benefits are tangible and specific. In this paragraph, use a bullets to make the benefits stand out for your reader.
Fourth Paragraph Brainstorm and Write:
a few sentences that ask for what you want the reader to do and when you want the reader to do the action. Do you want the reader to order on your website by a certain date for example? Perhaps you want to offer the reader a discount if he or she orders by a certain date. Be specific when you ask for what you want. Tone is important.
Note: Throughout the letter, keep a professional tone and avoid phrases such as "Act Now!" or "Don't Delay!" This letter isn't a late-night infomercial; it's a business letter to a prospective customer.
2/requirement.docx
Prewrite and Complete the Persuasive Sales Letter Draft and Peer Responses
This assignment has four important steps.
1. Complete the prewriting for the persuasive sales letter:
· Prewriting prepares you to write and helps you organize your ideas.
· You may print the lesson and jot notes for yourself on the paper, or you may write notes on your own.
· You do not have to submit prewriting for any points, but don't skip this important step!
2. Complete a draft of the persuasive sales letter:
· It's your chance to sell that amazing product or service! Instead of choosing an exercise from the book, you'll sell your own product or service. Be creative and sell that barking cat toy!
· Your letter will contain four paragraphs:
· Paragraph 1: get the attention/arouse the interest of your reader. Make this paragrph 5-7 lines in length.
· Paragraph 2: describe the product in detail. Make this paragraph 5-7 lines in length.
· Paragraph 3: reader benefits. Include a bulleted list of three items as a portion of your paragraph. Make this paragraph 5-7 lines in length.
· Paragraph 4: motivate the reader to act. Make this paragraph 2-3 lines in length.
3. Submit your draft of your persuasive sales letter in the discussion forum below:
· Late drafts will receive partial credit, so you may still post in order to have a chance at receiving and giving responses.
· Attach the letter in .doc, .docx or .rtf format, so that all students can open your file.
4. Complete peer responses for two (2) of your classmates' letters.
· You may type the peer responses in the textbox/message area or attach the peer responses (be sure to put your name in the files you attach).
· Refer to the page Grading Rubric for the Persuasive Sales Letter in this topic for a checklist.
· Write a paragraph of 10 lines or a list of 10 lines, = addressing the items on the grading rubric. When writing peer responses, write in complete sentences, even if you use a list. Also, use specific and precise words and examples. Focus on specific information. Offer specific revision suggestions.
· Post your peer responses by the deadline.
Note: You must post your own answers before you can view others' answers. Attach your work as either a .doc, .docx or .rtf file (no other formats). Check after you post to make sure your file truly did attach.