LESSON 1: ARGUMENT

In critical thinking, an argument is simply a claim defended with reasons.

What is a claim?
Claim - a statement or opinion that is either true or false
ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT
Arguments are composed of one or more premises and a conclusion.
Premises
Statements in an argument offered as evidence or reasons why one should accept another statement.

The conclusion
o statement in an argument that the premises are intended to prove or support.
o the main claim in an argument
o the logical result of the relationship between the premises.

Identifying the conclusion is the first step in understanding an argument.

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IDENTIFYING PREMISES AND CONCLUSIONS

In identifying premises, and conclusions, we are often helped by indicator words. Indicator words or phrases that
provide clues that premises or conclusions are being put forward.

PREMISE- A reason offered as support, or evidence, for another claim.

PREMISES INDICATORS

Because
As shown by
For
Given that
As
As indicated by
Since
The reason is that
Inasmuch as

The following examples illustrate the use of premise indicators:

 Judging from Adrianne’s comment, she is not going to give up so soon.
 Since you are not attending the dinner, I will go with Michael instead.

2 Keys to Identifying the Conclusion

1. Ask, “Is the statement the main point, or is it a claim given to support another statement in the argument
2. Identify the indicator word that often precedes the conclusion, such as:

CONCLUSION INDICATORS
Therefore This shows
Thus It follows that
As a Result This suggests
That's why Hence
Consequently So
This means Accordingly

The following examples illustrate the use of conclusion indicators:

 Wayne Gretzky is retired, that is why he is not playing anymore.
 Frankie is having food poisoning; therefore, he can’t come to work.

What is the Conclusion in each of the following arguments?

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  Abortion is wrong because all human life is sacred. Abortion is wrong.
 It’s flu season and you work with kids, so you should get a flu shot. You should get a flu shot.
 We should believe that rocks exist because we are able to see them. Rocks Exist

TIPS ON FINDING THE CONCLUSION OF AN ARGUMENT:

 Find the main issue and ask yourself what position the writer or speaker is taking on that issue.
 Look at the beginning or end of the passage; the conclusion is often (but not always) found in one of those
places.
 Ask yourself, “What is the writer or speaker trying to prove?” That will be the conclusion.
 Try putting the word therefore before one of the statements. If it fits, that statement is probably the
conclusion.
 Try the “because trick.” That is, try to find the most appropriate way to fill in the blanks in the following
statement: The writer or speaker believes (conclusion) because (premise). The conclusion will
naturally come before the word because.

What is an Argument?
- a group of statements, one or more of which (called the premises) are intended to prove or support
another statement (called the conclusion).
A simple argument:
1. All musicians can read music.
2. John is a musician.
Therefore, John can read music.

Standard Form
 Place claims on separate lines
 Conclusion is at the bottom, separated from the premises

Which of the following is an argument?

a. Vending machines stocked with soda or candy should be removed from all public schools.
b. Star Wars is the best movie ever.
c. We’d better leave now. If we don’t, we might miss the last train and we’ll be stuck here all night.

LETTER C IS AN ARGUMENT. It offers support (premises) to support the claim.

LESSON 2: Analyzes the Arguments Used by the Writer/s in Manifestos

Reading the latest articles such as those that are printed in newspapers and even those that are
shown on television is a must-to-do thing that you should be concerned about because it helps you be
acquainted with what is happening around you. This might give you knowledge on the present societal
and political issues such as the dispute between the government and the leftists and the updates about
the COVID- 19 Pandemic. It might also give you an idea of the updates about the trends in literature and
the arts. Also, official statements of essential individuals in our society must also be given consideration.
But how would we know that you are reading the right thing?
It is where you need to learn about Manifesto.
Have you ever heard about a manifesto?

Manifesto is a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer. It advances a set of ideas,
opinions, or views but it can also lay out a plan of action. While it can address any topic, it most often
concerns art, literature, or politics. Manifesto are generally written in the name of a group sharing a
common perspective, ideology, or purpose rather than in the name of a single individual.

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Table 1. Major Categories of Manifesto according to FIRSTPOST.com
Major Categories of CHARACTERISTIC
Manifesto
A goal can be a manifesto when we share it with other people. It’s
public, a declaration, and about what one intends to have
1. Goal
happened.

A manifesto containing a set of rules for behaving within a specific

2. List and Rules context or a list of items to be achieved or tasks to be fulfilled.

This type of manifesto aims to create a new world. It’s not about
simple rules, instead, it presents a vision for the future. A solemn
declaration by the constituted authorities of a nation that contains
3. World the reason for its public acts towards another. On the declaration of
war, a manifesto is usually issued in which the nation declaring war
states the reasons for so doing.

If you are going to notice the highlighted words from the characteristics of the different categories
of a manifesto, the common thing about them is that a MANIFESTO, or the writer of a manifesto, aims for
a change in state or in other words, the author is trying to convince the reader to believe the concept that
he/she is trying to convey by giving arguments or logical reasons that will catch the attention of the
reader and eventually believing it.
How are these changes carried out with just the use of written words? - It is when the author
provides reasons accompanied by pieces of evidence to prove the belief they wanted the reader to believe
in or the so-called arguments.
As a reader, the challenge however lies in how will you understand the meaning that the author or
writer wanted you to know.
Add- on Info

A statement can only be considered an argument if it presents

proof or pieces of evidences, however if it does not, it is only a mere
opinion.

However, change can only be achieved if the reader fully understands the argument that is
accompanied by pieces of evidence (reasons) that the author is trying to emphasize. To do that, take a
look at these steps below.

Steps in Analyzing an Argument

Briefly note the Make a note of the

main assertion first reason the author Write down every Underline the most
(what does the makes to support his/ other reason. important reason
writer want me to her conclusion.
believe or do?

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Table 2 Example of Manifesto and Analysis of Arguments.
Category Example of Manifesto Analysis of the Argument

1. Goal In adversity, the crisis has also brought out some of 1. The argument that the manifesto
the best in our societies, from solidarity among wanted me to believe in is that
neighbors to the bravery of health and other key the “COVID- 19 Pandemic has
workers in facing down risks to their own health to brought about Positive
serve their communities, to countries working Effects.”
together to provide emergency relief or to research
treatments and vaccines. The “lockdown” measures 2. First reason the author makes to
that have been necessary to control the spread of support his/ her conclusion is
COVID- 19 have slowed economic activity and found in the first sentence
disrupted lives- but have also given some glimpses where the author uses the
of a possible brighter future. In some places, reason as his/ her example to
pollution levels have dropped to such an extent that prove his/ her claim, “Solidarity
people have breathed clean air, or have been seen among neighbors and bravery of
blue skies and clean waters, or have been able to
health and other key workers, to
walk and cycle safely with their children- for the
first time in their lives. The use of digital technology countries working together to
has accelerated new ways of working and provide emergency relief or to
connecting with each other, from reducing time research treatments and
spent commuting, to more flexible ways of studying, vaccines.”.
carrying out medical consultations remotely, to
3. List of the other Reasons:
spending more time with our families. Opinion polls
from around the world show that people want to a. Pollution levels have dropped
protect the environment and preserve the positive where people have breathed
that has emerged from the crisis as we recover ###. fresh air, have seen blue skies,
Source: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “What and clean waters.
We Have Learned From COVID- 19,” WHO Manifesto b. Reduced time spent
for a Healthy Recovery from COVID- 19, May 26. commuting and flexible
2020, www.who.int ways of studying because of
digital connecting with each
other.
c. Spending a lot of time with
families.
d. Raise awareness of
environmental conservation.

4. If the argument has several

different reasons, we select
the most important reason to
know the main argument, but
you need not select the main
reason with this kind of
argument where all reasons
fall under a single main
reason which is “the positive
effects or impact of COVID
Pandemic,”

Explanation for being a manifesto

categorized under Goal:
The manifesto does not use obviously
convincing words rather it hides the
intention of changing people’s minds
using positive pictures or situations. It
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 shares with the reader the goal or the
picture of something that everyone will
accept and appreciate with the subtle
purpose of making people believe the
premise. It is different from World in
the sense that it does not impose the
goal.

Note: A manifesto could be in this

category if the goal (something
beautiful and acceptable to everyone) is
shared with readers for them to
appreciate and eventually believe in the
arguments presented.

2. List and Management of people with COVID-19 or their The manifesto simply indicates the
Rules contacts argument about the ways to
manage people infected with
• Workers who are unwell or who develop
COVID- 19 or their contacts.
symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be
urged to stay at home, self-isolate, and contact a Explanation on how it is a
medical professional or the local COVID-19 manifesto under List and Rules:
information line for advice on testing and
referral.19 ❖ The manifesto sets the rules
(the bulleted information) on
• Where local community transmission is high, and
how to do things in a specific
work continues, allow for a telemedicine
situation.
consultation where available,
or consider waiving the requirement for a medical
note for workers who are sick so that they may stay
home.
• All workers should be urged to self-monitor their
health, possibly with the use of questionnaires, and
take their body temperature regularly.
• Thermal screening at the workplace should be
considered only in the context of a combination of
measures for prevention and control of COVID-19
at the workplace and along with risk
communication.
• Standard operating procedures should be
prepared to manage a person who becomes sick at
the workplace and is suspected of having COVID-
19, including placing the person in an isolation
room, limiting the number of people in contact,
using personal protective equipment and
performing follow-up cleaning and disinfection.
• It is important to contact the local health
authorities and to keep attendance and meeting
records in order to facilitate or undertake contact-
tracing. ###
Source: World Health Organization,
“Considerations for Public Health and Social
Measures in the Workplace in the Context of COVID-
19,” May 10, 2020. www.who.int
3. World “NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, 1. The main assertion that this
President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers manifesto is pointing at is that
vested upon me by Article VII, Section 10, the declaration of martial law in
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 Paragraph (2) of the Constitution, do hereby place the country or also known as
the entire Philippines as defined in Article I, Section the Proclamation no. 1081 s.
1 of the Constitution under martial law and, in my 1972.simply because it is what
capacity as their commander-in-chief, do hereby this manifesto is all about. It is
command the armed forces of the Philippines, to what the author envisions.
2. The first reason that supports
maintain law and order throughout the Philippines,
the assertion is the one that
prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as
follows immediately after the
well as any act of insurrection or rebellion and to
assertion, in the case of this
enforce obedience to all the laws and decrees, manifesto, it is the “maintain
orders and regulations promulgated by me law and order throughout the
personally or upon my direction. Philippines”.
3. The other reasons mentioned
In addition, I do hereby order that all persons
are; (a.) prevent or suppress
presently detained, as well as all others who may
all forms of lawless violence
hereafter be similarly detained for the crimes of as well as any act of
insurrection or rebellion, and all other crimes and insurrection or rebellion
offenses committed in furtherance or on the (b.) to enforce obedience to
occasion thereof, or incident thereto, or in all the laws and decrees,
connection therewith, for crimes against national orders and regulations
security and the law of nations, crimes against These reasons can also be
public order, crimes involving usurpation of acknowledged as the vision
authority, rank, title and improper use of names, of the future that the author
uniforms, and insignia, crimes committed by public declares that makes this
officers, and for such other crimes as will be manifesto as an example
enumerated in Orders that I shall subsequently under the category “world.”
promulgate, as well as crimes as a consequence of
any violation of any decree, order or regulation
promulgated by me personally or promulgated
upon my direction shall be kept under detention
until otherwise ordered released by me or by my
duly designated representative.”
Source: The Philippine Gazette, “Proclamation
1081, s. 1972,” September 21, 1972,
www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Note: It is only a manifesto

under World if the
declaration is done by an
authority or authorized group
to do the declaration and if it
envisions a change in the
future.

Are the reasons logical? Are they acceptable? Does it cater to the welfare of the public? Answering
these questions means that you were able to analyze the manifesto critically. You can now create your
own stand on the issue at hand.

LESSON 3: POSITION PAPER

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 A position paper presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue. Writing a position
paper entails outlining arguments and proposing the course of action. In the same manner, Munro defines
a manifesto as a document or letter publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer. It advances,
but a set of ideas, opinions, or views can also lay out a plan of action. It is posted or distributed to the
public that announces information such as the motive, reasoning, or demands of a person or group.
Topics of position papers or manifestos are political, artistic, scientific and educational, professional, and
technology. The main objective of writing a position paper is to take part in a larger debate by stating
your arguments and proposed course of action.

A position paper has the following parts:

Introduction
• Introduce the issue, and provide the history or background of the issue on hand.
• Provide a general statement of your stand through a thesis statement.
Body
• State your arguments on your stand about the issue.
• Provide strong evidence (statistics, interviews with experts, testimonies).
• Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments.
Conclusion
• Restate your claim or stand on an issue.
• Suggest a course of action.
• End with a powerful call for action (quotation, challenge, or question).

LESSON 4: WRITING A POSITION PAPER AND DEFENDING A STANCE ON AN ISSUE

You have learned that a position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. Your goal as
the writer is to convince the audience that your opinion or stand or claim is valid and worth listening to.
It is important to support your argument or reason with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims.
The best way to defend your stand is to provide supporting evidence which includes the following:
• Factual Knowledge – information that is verifiable and agreed upon by almost everyone
• Statistical Inferences – interpretation and examples of an accumulation of facts
• Informed Opinion – opinion developed through research and/or expertise of the claim
•Personal Testimony – personal experience related by a knowledgeable party.
In every claim, there is always a counterclaim. A counterclaim is just the opposite of a claim. When
your claim says, “I want a new cellphone.” But then your mother said, “'No, you don't.” This is your mom's
counterclaim.
Counterclaims are also provable and supportable by reasons and evidence. Just when your mother
proves by saying, ’Your current situation does not require a new cell phone.’

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 All of these essential parts play an important role in writing a position paper. The outline below
will help you organize your ideas in one coherent composition.
Position Paper Outline
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the issue.
B. Provide background on the issue.
C. Provide a thesis statement on your stand on the issue.
II. Body (the arguments/reasons)
A. Argument #1 of your claims
1. Give your opinion
2. Provide supporting evidence
B. Argument #2 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide supporting evidence.
C. Argument #3 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide supporting evidence.
D. Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments.
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument.
B. Provide a plan of action.

A few reminders before writing a position paper!

 Choose an issue that is debatable, current, and relevant.
 Conduct in-depth research on the issue.
 Explain the issue and analyze it objectively.
 Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
 Cite valid and reliable sources.
 Limit your position paper to 2 pages.
 Analyze your target audience and align your arguments to their
beliefs, needs, interest, and motivation.
 Use active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and
firm tone.

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 LESSON 5: THE REPORTS, SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE, AND METHODS
The Various Kinds of Reports
Reports are more likely needed for business, scientific and technical subjects, and in the
workplace. They are of different types and they differ in their aims and structures.

TYPES DEFINITION/ DESCRIPTION OBJECTIVES

1. Survey Report It is written after getting data To collect people’s responses

from a survey. or answers about a particular
issue or topic

2. Laboratory or It is commonly called a lab To present results or findings

Scientific Technical report. It is written in a formal from experiments.
Report and organized manner.

3. Field Report It is sometimes called a trip To describe and analyze a

report. systematic observation.

Among these types of reports, the survey is the most popular and widely used as it is the easiest
way to gather information about any topic or issue from a big number of people or groups.
Survey Questionnaire
It is a data-gathering tool having a set of questions used in a survey and is utilized in various fields
such as politics, research, marketing, media, and so on. It is intended to gather data, views, opinions, and
others from individuals or a particular group of people.
It is an important method used in order to collect the necessary information that will benefit the
people and the community.
Methods of Administering a Survey
Administering a survey calls for a more systematic way in order to achieve the aims of a certain
survey conducted. The following methods are introduced by Sarah Mae Sincero.
1. Personal Approach
This involves the person himself/ herself conducting the survey.
a. Face-to-face Structured Interview
The interview is set personally and the people involved face each other in order to gather the
necessary information. Questions on the survey are asked directly to the respondent by the
researcher.
b. Telephone Survey
The survey is done using telephone or cellular phones. The calls are made to ask individuals on
particular questions. This method can be used for asking consequential questions.
2. Self- administered Approach
In this type, the survey is administered by the researcher himself/herself.
a. Paper- and - pencil Survey
This is a traditional method wherein the respondents who usually preferred the
manual method must be present in the administration of the survey.
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b. Online Survey
Also called an internet survey, is one of the most famous sources of data collection, where a set of
survey questions is sent out to respondents and the members of this sample can respond to the questions
over the internet. Respondents receive online surveys in various ways such as email, embedded over
websites, social media, or forms.
c. Mail Survey
This popular tool requires an easy- administering of the survey where survey questionnaires are
mailed to individuals who are given enough time to read and ponder on the information asked.

SHOULD AND NOT SHOULD OF A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Concise and easy-to-understand questions lead to a successful survey. Thus, a well-designed
survey questionnaire will ensure effective data and information gathering.
A survey questionnaire should be well–constructed so that the respondents could read it carefully
and understand it thoroughly and be motivated to complete it. Therefore, a questionnaire…
1. Should use words that have a clear meaning.

The questions should not be vague and difficult to comprehend so that the questionnaire will not
be left unanswered.

2. Should cover all possible options.

The respondents should just be given at most five ranking options and should cover all so that
they will not be tired of choosing a lot of options that do not give the choices they look for. If this
will not be observed, this will lead to an abandoned questionnaire.

3. Should not ask two or more questions in one sentence.

The question should focus on one topic or item at a time so that the respondents will not be
confused about which to answer and what to choose.

4. Should provide an out-option.

The survey should give the respondents the option to choose “Does not apply “or “None” for
questions they do not feel answering.

5. Should consider appropriate time reference.

Respondents could not easily recall past long experiences and be doubtful as to the exact
measurement or time they spent.

6. Should have a clear question structure.

The survey questionnaire should follow three parts: the question stem, additional instructions,
and response options so that the respondents will not be confused about what to answer or
choose. This will result in unreliable gathered data.

7. Should have open specific response options.

The respondents should be guided on what to choose. So, the survey should provide specific
options to choose from so that respondents will not be confused in answering.

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 8. Should not have any bias or prejudice.

Questions should be objective and lead to an honest answer. The respondents should not be led to
a biased option that they may fail to give their truthful response.

9. Should not include too personal or too embarrassing questions.

Questions should be gender and culture-sensitive so that the respondents may not feel awkward
or embarrassed in giving their responses.

10. Should avoid double negative questions.

Double negatives may occur when respondents are asked about their agreement on a certain
issue. This should be avoided so that the respondents ‘responses will be clear and precise.
11. Should outline instructions or directions clearly and understandably.
Clear instructions will lead to positive, appropriate and clear answers. If respondents are clearly
asked and told what to do, they will also foster a positive attitude toward answering the
questionnaire.

LESSON 6: CONDUCTING & GATHERING INFORMATION FROM SURVEYS

The task of gathering or collecting information or data from surveys requires a high level of
knowledge and skill. You need to be familiar with the different types of survey questions and learn the art
of formulating them before you can conduct the survey and actually gather primary data. Primary data is
data you as a researcher collect from first–hand sources using methods like surveys, interviews, or
experiments.
https://www.statisticshowto.datasciencecentral.com/primary-data-secondary/

Types of Survey Questions

(Examples only. Do not answer.)
1. Open-ended questions
These types of questions do not have predetermined options or answers. The respondents are
allowed to answer the questions freely. Responses must be recorded verbatim-especially because coding
and analysis will rely on the subject’s exact responses. Open-ended questions often need probing or
follow-up questions to clarify certain items in the subject’s response. These questions typically ask the
“how” and “why” of something.
Example: Why did you choose to vote for candidate X? Kindly explain.

2. Dichotomous Questions
Dichotomous questions have two possible answers, often either yes/no, true/false, or agree/
disagree. These questions are used when the researcher wants to clearly distinguish the respondent’s
opinion, preference, experience, or behavior.
Example: HIV/AIDS is transmitted through saliva:
True False
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3. Multiple–response questions
There are certain questions that necessitate the respondents to provide more than one answer.
For example, a typical advertising survey would ask the question, “How did you find out about the
particular service or item”? A respondent may have encountered more than one of the probable ways.
Example: How were you able to know about the graduate program of Development Policy offered
at De La Salle University? Check all that apply.
Print Advertisement By word of mouth (friends)
Telephone inquiry
DSLU Website inquiry Physical appearance

Others, please specify:

4. Matrix questions
There are instances where a number of questions you intend to ask to have the same set of
possible answers. Thus, it is possible to construct a matrix of items and answers for the sake of
streamlining the survey.
Example: Qualities of a Good Leader
Besides each of the qualities of a good leader, kindly indicate how well the person in inquiry manifests
the said quality with 1 being the lowest and 5 as the highest.

Sample Matrix Question Set

Qualities/ Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Integrity
Inclusiveness
Information-Driven
Innovative

Shown above is a numerical scale (matrix). The respondents are required to choose from a
number of categories that determine their preferences.
Another common scale is the Likert Scale which tries to assess the subject’s
agreement/disagreement or approval/ disapproval on a five-point scale-with one end being the most
positive answer, and the other end being the most negative answer. The categories correspond to the
numerical values 5,4,3,2,1, and are encoded as their numerical equivalent (Singh 2007,75). The total
score per item is determined. From here, you formulate your inference.

Example: Performance-Based Incentive System

The new performance-based incentive system encouraged me to work overtime.

(5) Strongly Agree (4) Agree (3) Undecided (2) Disagree (1) Strongly Disagree

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5. Contingency Questions
Contingency questions are intended for certain respondents only, depending on the provided
answers. A familiar example would be a follow-up question provided after a respondent agrees to a
certain item. A respondent is asked whether they used any illegal drugs or substances. Only those who
answered yes are required to answer the succeeding items.

Example:
4. Have you ever tried any illegal drugs and/or substances?
Yes No
4.1 If yes, what illegal drugs and/or substances have you used? Check all that apply.
Crystal Meth
Cocaine
Heroine
Marijuana
Ecstasy
Others, please specify: __________________
0

Points to remember in crafting survey questions

1. Keep the questionnaire as short as possible.
2. Ask short, simple, and clearly worded questions.
3. Start with demographic questions to help respondents get started comfortably.
4. Use dichotomous (yes/no) and multiple-choice questions.
5. Use open-ended questions cautiously.
6. Avoid using leading questions. Make your question ask for the other person’s opinion.
Do not make it clear what your own opinion is. (This would be called a biased question or a leading
question).
A bad example would be: Fishing is a very cruel pastime. Do you agree?
A better question might be: Do you think that fishing is a cruel pastime?
A) strongly agree B) agree C) neutral D) disagree E) strongly disagree
7. Pre-test a questionnaire on a small number of people.
8. Think about the way you intend to use the collected data when preparing the questionnaire.

A Survey is one of the best ways we will know and understand people’s choices, attitudes, or
feelings on certain issues. We will be able to determine the reactions of the respondents and based on the
survey results, we could design some possible actions to be best done, a solution to a problem, a remedy
to a disease, or an answer to a question.

THREE STEPS IN CONDUCTING A SURVEY

There are three steps in conducting a survey.
1. Decide on a four or five-option survey question. Then make a tally chart having its heading and
appropriate title.

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 The question should follow the guidelines for making an effective survey question. Formulate
questions that address the aim and need of the research. The question should be clear,
concise, and efficient. The heading and the title should reflect the focus of the survey.
2. Conduct a survey and then tally all the answers.
In conducting a survey, ethics should be observed. You should be polite and show respect to
the respondents. You should maintain a friendly atmosphere so that respondents may not
feel so intimidated. Make sure all answers are noted. Plan for a more systematic way of
tallying.
3. Count the answers marking the item having the least to the greatest tallies. Then make a graphic
representation of the results.

Be careful in tallying so you should observe accuracy and honesty. Results can be presented
using any graphics. The most commonly used are charts and organizers. Choose the most
appropriate graphics that best represent the result of the survey.

NOTE: When you will conduct a survey, you should write a letter of consent. In the letter, you should also
emphasize that the information given by the respondents/ participants will be held with the utmost
confidentiality. If the respondent is a minor, prepare an assent
“Informed consent" is the voluntary agreement of a person, or the representative, who has the capacity
to give consent, and who practices free power of choice to involve in research. "Assent" is a term used to
show a willingness to participate in a survey by persons who are too young to give informed consent but
who are old enough to understand the proposed survey in general. Assent by itself is not enough,
however. If assent is given, informed consent must still be acquired from the parents or guardian.

LESSON 7: ON-THE-JOB-TEXT

Do you need to write a letter to apply for a job? Most of the time, the answer is yes. Even in the rare cases
when employers don’t require a job application letter, such as in the case of some part-time jobs, writing
one will help you highlight your skills and achievements and get the hiring manager’s attention.

Tips for Writing a Job Application Letter

A job application letter, also known as a cover letter, should be sent or uploaded with your resume
when applying for jobs. While your resume offers a history of your work experience and an outline of
your skills and accomplishments, the job application letter you send to an employer explains why you are
qualified for the position and should be selected for an interview.
Writing this letter can seem like a challenging task. However, if you take it one step at a time, you'll
soon be an expert at writing application letters to send with your resume.
How to Get Started
Before you begin writing your job application letter, do some groundwork. Consider what
information you want to include (keeping in mind that space is limited).
Remember, this letter is making a case for your candidacy for the position. But you can do better
than just regurgitating your resume—instead, highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and
abilities.

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What to Include in Each Section of the Letter?
There are also set rules for the sections included in the letter, from salutation to sign-off, and how
the letter is organized. Here's a quick lowdown on the main sections included in a job application letter:
1. Heading: A letter of application should begin with both your and the employer's contact information
(name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter,
include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.
2. Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most common salutation is "Dear Mr./Ms." followed by the
person's last name. Find out more about appropriate cover letter salutations, including what to do if you
don't know the person's name, or are unsure of a contact's gender.
3. Body of the letter: Think of this section as being three distinct parts.
In the first paragraph, you'll want to mention the job you are applying for and where you saw the job
listing.
The next paragraph(s) are the most important part of your letter. Remember how you gathered all that
information about what employers were seeking, and how you could meet their needs? This is where
you'll share those relevant details on your experience and accomplishments.
The third and last part of the body of the letter will be your thank you to the employer; you can also offer
follow-up information.
4. Complimentary Close: Sign off your email with a polite close, such as "Best" or "Sincerely," followed
by your name.
5. Signature: End with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email,
simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.
Look at the given example below:

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 SAMPLE JOB APPLICATION LETTER

Elizabeth Johnson
12 Jones Street
Portland, Maine 04101
555-555-5555
elizabethjohnson@emailaddress.com
August 11, 2020
Mark Smith
Human Resources Manager
Veggies to Go
238 Main Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Dear Mr. Smith,
I was so excited when my former coworker, Jay Lopez, told me about your opening for an administrative
assistant in your Portland offices. A long-time Veggies to Go customer and an experienced admin, I would
love to help the company achieve its mission of making healthy produce as available as takeout.
I’ve worked for small companies for my entire career, and I relish the opportunity to wear many hats and
work with a team to succeed. In my latest role as an administrative assistant at Beauty Corp, I saved my
employer thousands of dollars in temp workers by implementing a self-scheduling system for the
customer service reps that cut down on canceled shifts. I also learned web design, and timesheet coding,
and perfected my Excel skills. 
I’ve attached my resume for your consideration and hope to speak with you soon about your needs for
the role.
Respectfully yours,
ELIZABETH JOHNSON (Signature over printed name)

Activity:
Identify a company & position you are interested in applying to, and write your application letter.
Note: You can assume.

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