Natwerk Designs

Can someone help me with this cover letter for a writer/copy editor internship position,?

I know I should be good at this since I'm applying for a writer/copy editor internship, but it is so nerve racking knowing that I will be judged based on what I say and how I say it. The place I'm applying is an organization for urban renewal and redevelopment, which is something I am incredibly passionate about. I'm not studying urban politics because my school doesn't offer this program, but I am invested to writing about these issues and I'm not exaggerating or trying to butter up the reader by speaking to these interests (though I'm afraid I may have gotten off-track since its for a writing position). I repeat myself a couple times, trying to figure out the best wording and construction. I really need help, and need to just get this out already. Thing is, I sound like an amateur in this letter, and I am, but I am driven and an enthusiastic student, I know I can do this well and improve given the chance. Here's what I'm working with: : Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my interest in the writer/copy editor internship position at _____ I am currently working towards a bachelor degree in English from the University of _____ and I believe my writing and editing skills make me an excellent candidate for the internship position. I am confident in my ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines and given the opportunity to demonstrate my writing skills, I will prove an asset to the organization. I have enclosed my resume for you to review. In addition to my English coursework, I see the internship at ____ as an opportunity to am eager to intern at an organization, where I can utilize my skills in writing, editing, research and critical analysis, while working for an organization that is committed to urban renewal and innovative social change. In addition to my studies in English, I gained invaluable experience writing and collaborating on urban sustainability and revitalization projects during my time volunteering for the ____. My writing and editing responsibilities at the community development corporation ranged from note-taking to compiling letters and funding proposals. While negotiating the political, social and economic dynamics of grassroots organizing, I became committed to writing about social change and urban issues. As my resume indicates I have tremendous passion for efforts that promotes rehabilitation and urban revitalization. My background in urban planning and development and my writing experience and education compliment the requirements of the writer/copy editor position as well as the organization's larger directive. I am dedicated to work that requires rigorous effort, thoughtful vision and open-minded creativity. I am a strong advocate of urban renewal and sustainability projects and see great potential in creative planning and design implementation. Given my academic pursuits, communication strengths and writing experience, I believe I have the qualifications and energetic drive that make me an excellent candidate for the internship position. The confluence of my passion urban social issues and my enthusiastic appreciation of language and my experience writing and editing have pushed me to think critically and write objectively. as part of the collaborative process or urban revitalization. Thank you for considering my resume and I look forward to your reply,

Public Comments

1. i am also no good at these things but i came across this good resource over the internet which can help you a little http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/coverletters.pdf
2. If possible, phone and find out who you're writing to, so you don't have to say, "sir or madam." I'd use "use" instead of "utilize," I am confident in my ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines and that, given the opportunity to demonstrate my writing skills, I will prove an asset to the organization. Or I am confident in my ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines. Given the opportunity to demonstrate my writing skills, I will prove an asset to the organization. Or you could just put the comma before "given." I'd eliminate "In addition to my studies in English." You've already said that, and the parallelism is shaky in that sentence. efforts that promote rehabilitation (no s on promote) complement, not compliment my passion FOR urban social issues oF urban revitalization. write objectively as part of the collaborative (no period in the middle) Confluence ... has (not have). Thank you for considering my resume, and I look forward to your reply, (comma) (Or make it two sentences) If I were you, and I'm not, I'd go over this, especially the end, beginning at "The confluence," and cut out a lot of adjectives. Let some more of the nouns stand on their own. The letter shows fine qualifications, but it verges perilously close to jargon. Are you sure you want to say, "The confluence of my passion for urban social issues, my enthusiastic appreciation of language, and my experience writing and editing has pushed me to think critically and write objectively. as part of the collaborative process of urban revitalization?" Do people talk like that? Is that fun to read? Is it really the coming-together of these three things that has pushed you to write critically and think objectively? I'm not trying to be mean here -- but you have about 360 words, and 20 uses of "tion." 5% of your words end in "tion!" With that, plus adjectives festooning every noun (tremendous passion, invaluable experience, great potential, rigorous effort), you have what I call jargon, Now, it may be necessary in the field of urban planning, as if seems to be in education, to write incomprehensibly. But if it isn't, I have always found that writing something easy and pleasant to read makes you stand out from the herd in a good way. www.bkedits.com