Academic Writing

Motivation Letter

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 Agenda:

- Homework review
- How to write a successful motivation letter?
- Writing activity: motivation letter
- Feedback
- Homework

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 Ice Breaker Activity
Name something you’ve always thought about.
For example: I’ve always thought about my future.

➔ Name something you’ve always enjoyed.

➔ Name a person you’ve always liked.
➔ Name something you’ve always wanted to
do.
➔ Name something you’ve always wanted to
have.
➔ Name something you’ve always been
interested in.
➔ Name a city you’ve always wanted to visit.
 Homework review

- Feedback on your homework

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 Final Project

5 paragraph argumentative essay

- 700 words
- should be backed up by evidence
- no plagiarism of any kind
- well structured and formatted

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 Brainstorming activity

What is Motivational letter? Why do you need it?

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 Why do you need motivation letter?

- Admission to University
- Training, seminars, conferences…
- Internship
- Job
- Scholarship

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 How to write a successful motivation
letter?

- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion

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 Technical part of Motivation Letter

- Times New Roman

- 12 font size
- Contact details
- Salutation:
❏ Dear Mr./Ms./Dr…
❏ Dear Admission Committee/Sir or Madam
- Content: Intro, Body, Conclusion
- Closing
❏ Sincerely, Yours faithfully, Kind regards…

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 Introduction

- Personal information
- What/where are you applying to?
- Why are you applying?
Example:
Dear Admission Committee,
I am writing to express my interest in the BA programme of
International Relations in the Department of Political Science at
Harvard University. I am extremely interested in this programme
because it completely fits my personal and professional goals.
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 Body

- Background: the story behind your achievement

- Why did you choose this specific major and
university?
- How will this programme help you to achieve your
personal and professional goals?

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 Conclusion

- Closing statements
- Thank the reader
Example:
I hope that I have been able to convince you of my excellent capabilities and my
passionate motivation to start studying [name of the programme/major] at [University
name]. I really look forward to your reply and to start studying at your University!
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Name

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 Example of motivation letter for BA

- Handout analysis

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 Q & A session
1. What belongs in the heading of a motivational letter?
2. Imagine you are writing a motivational letter to Mrs. Jane Kelly. How do
you key the salutation/greeting?
3. If you do not know the name of the person to whom you are writing,
what do you do?
4. What should be included in the first paragraph of a motivational letter?
5. What should you include in the second paragraph of your motivational
letter?
6. What should you write in the last paragraph of your motivational letter?
7. What should be included in the closing part of the letter?

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 Writing activity: motivation letter

- Write motivation letter using today’s techniques

- Try to answer the following questions:
* Why do you want to study at this university and in this particular BA
programme?
* How will this programme help you achieve your personal and
professional goals?

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 Feedback Time

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 Home assignment

- Improve your motivation letter

- Create outline of your final project paper

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