Your street address
City, ST 00000
Month x, 2002
 

Portfolio Readers
English Division
AnokaRamsey Community College
11200 Mississippi Boulevard
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Dear Professor:

This page is presents a model of the correct layout for your cover letter for your portfolio final exam.  As you see here, you should use the "block" style to format your letter.  That means that every line begins at the left of the page, with no TABS or indention.

Your paragraphs should be single-spaced with a double-spaced break between paragraphs. The body of your letter should respond to the assignment. Using the list of outcomes in your course syllabus, explain to the reader how your portfolio demonstrates writing competency. Your letter should be clearly focused on a central assertion and present evidence to support this assertion. Be brief (no more than a page and a half) and be specific.

If you plan to print your letter and present it in a paper  file folder, then as you come to the end of your letter, beware of any awkward page breaks. At least two full lines of the last body paragraph should carry over to the second page. If you do have an awkward page break, there are several solutions possible. You can revise your letter so that it will all fit on one page, or you can increase your top and bottom margins to center text on page one and insert the page break where you want it. The most professional way is to use the computer to "control widow and orphan lines." Select the paragraph in which you want to control widows and orphans. On the Format menu in Word, click "Paragraph," and then click the "Line and Page Breaks" tab. Select the "Widow/orphan" control check box. The computer will format your letter correctly.

If you are preparing an electronic portfolio, then you should check with your instructor for instructions on uploading your cover letter to your electronic folder.

This letter is part of your final exam; it will be considered in the overall evaluation of your writing competence.

At the end of your letter,  follow the conventions for the close and signature.

Sincerely yours,

Type your name
 

 Enc.