.A brief diagnostic writing exercise in the early part of the semester can help students see how they will apply disciplinary knowledge or preparation to problem-solving situations in the course.

EXAMPLE:

• Diagnostic exercise adapted from Brad Peters' ENGL 300A: Advanced Composition
• Rubric

Application Letter

ENGL 300A deals with rhetorical techniques that persuade readers. For your first brief assignment, you'll begin with a very familiar format-- a letter of application. Your letter of application should target either:

• a prospective employer (e.g., http://www.hr.niu.edu/employment/job_search2.cfm)
• an academic program (e.g., http://www.engl.niu.edu/irish_media/ or http://www3.niu.edu/niuabroad/Oxford03.htm)
• an internship (e.g., http://www.engl.niu.edu/interns/internship.html)
• or a scholarship that genuinely interests you (e.g., http://www.engl.niu.edu/undergrad/scholarships.html)

You should refer to an actual job ad or application notice. Explain why you are applying. Provide a description of your qualifications. Indicate what personal traits you can contribute or bring to this position or opportunity. You should use correct letter format. If you wish, you can design appropriate letterhead-- e.g., copy the NIU header from our syllabus to "authenticate" your status as a student at this institution.

This is a two-part assignment. On a separate sheet of paper, please discuss the decisions you made while writing the application letter. Explain what information and strategies you used--or deliberately didn't use--to sound convincing (persuasion). Why did you present yourself the way you did (ethos)? How did you go about acknowledging your reader and meeting his/her expectations (audience analysis)? What further attempts did you make to find out more about the position, program, etc. (knowledge)?  What clues did the ad or application notice give you about the worksite or program, and what did you assume (or discover) about the people in charge (rhetorical situation)?  What ethical decisions did you have to make?

Rubric
 

strong	okay	weak	no credit	Criteria
.	.	.	.	Your letter includes reference to ad, explanation for applying, description of qualifications, and your potential contributions
.	.	.	.	Your letter is written in an appropriate, visually professional format
.	.	.	.	Your reflective analysis includes comments on persuasion, ethos, audience analysis, knowledge, rhetorical situation, and ethics

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