Poisonous Punctuation

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Poisonous Punctuation

• "Even when the sense is perfectly clear, a
  sentence may be deprived of half its force -- its
  spirit -- its point -- by improper punctuation."
• Edgar Allan Poe
• http//www.plain-text.co.uk/a_to_z/punctuation.htm
  l

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Introduction

• Your future is in your hands
• You are ready to take on the world and begin
  searching for a job. Competition for your
  perfect job is very highwhat can you do to make
  sure you get hired? Believe it or not, the
  application process can give you problems,
  especially if you use improper punctuation it
  could cost you the perfect job. You will explore
  ways to avoid poisonous punctuation and insure
  your success in the job hunt!

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Task

• Task 1 Locate a job that is interesting to you.
• Task 2 Explore cover letters.
• Task 3 Cover letter consequences.
• Task 4 Write a cover letter.
• Task 5 Decide if you get hired!

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Process

• Task 1 Locate a Job
• Visit www.monster.com
• Search for a job based on your talents and
  interests.
• Locate a job for which you would like to apply.
• Answer the Finding a Job questions on the
  worksheet
• Move to Task 2

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Process

• Task 2 Explore Cover Letters
• Visit the website containing a cover letter
  template
• http//jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a
  /covertemplate.htm
• List the six (6) pieces to include in a cover
  letter on your worksheet.
• Move to Task 3.

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Process

• Task 3 Cover Letter Consequences
• What would happen if you wrote a cover letter
  with punctuation mistakes? What would the
  potential employer do with your application?
  What would it tell them about you? Visit each
  website below and answer the corresponding
  question on your worksheet.
• Website 1 http//www.dwu.edu/careers/cover.htm
• Website 2 http//jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/bo
  ok.cfm?contentfile3-4-advertisement.htm
• Website 3 http//www.distinctiveweb.com/writing2.
  htm
• Website 4 http//jobsearch.about.com/od/resumes/a
  /resumproof.htm
• Move to Task 4.

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Process

• Task 4 Write a Cover Letter
• Based on the six (6) pieces of a cover letter you
  found in Task 2, compose a letter to help you get
  the job you found in Task 1.
• (See sample http//www.quintcareers.com/sample_g
  raduate_letter.html)
• Proofread your letter for punctuation mistakes.
  Remember what happens to your job if you make
  mistakes!
• Submit your cover letter and wait to hear whether
  or not youve been hired!
• Move to Task 5.

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Process

• Task Five Decide if you get hired!
• Submit your cover letter.
• Your cover letter will be given to an employer.
• Read the cover letter you received from a
  potential employee. Check for punctuation
  errors.
• Should this person get hired? Complete the Get
  Hired! section on the worksheet.
• Submit your worksheet.

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Evaluation

• You will be graded on two things
• 1. The correct answers on your worksheet.
• 2. Did you get hired? Evaluation will include
  comments from your employer and how well your
  cover letter was written. Punctuation will be
  the main focus for evaluation.
• You will receive two (2) grades one grade for
  each element listed above.

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Conclusion

• Did you get the job? Have you learned the
  importance of learning how to correctly punctuate
  your writing? Imagine how you would feel if your
  dream job got taken away from you simply because
  you didnt use correct punctuation. Consider
  this in your future writings

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Teacher page

• Designed for grades 6-8
• This lesson covers the following VA SOLs4.8,
  5.9, 6.7, 7.9, 8.8
• Websites
• http//www.dwu.edu/careers/cover.htm
• http//www.distinctiveweb.com/writing2.htm
• http//jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/book.cfm?con
  tentfile3-4-advertisement.htm
• http//jobsearch.about.com/od/resumes/a/resumproo
  f.htm
• http//tameri.com/edit/punctuation.html (for
  assistance following video)
• http//www.monster.com
• http//jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/
  a/covertemplate.htm

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Conclusion Teacher