Example 3 To: Jane Doe From: John Smith Date: 6 June 2016 Subject: Graduate Study We have finally reviewed your application for graduate study at Colorado State University. Due to the large number of applicants this year, competition was very tough, but luckily, we have recommended you for acceptance. Also, to keep our students happy, we were fortunate enough to be able to offer a teaching assistantship, whereby you would work 20 hours a week. This assistantship also comes with a non-resident tuition waiver for the first year. If you don't do well, though, we cannot give you another assistantship. It occurred to us that you probably don't have enough information to make a sound decision. The enclosed flyer provides a detailed description of our Cognitive Psychology Program, including the program of study, degree requirements, mentorship program, faculty research interests, and laboratory facilities. Since other qualified students are on a waiting list for admissions, please notify me in writing of your decision to accept or reject admission as soon as possible. Example 3 Questions:

1. What information is missing in this memo?
2. The writer uses both first person (I, we, our, etc.) and second person (you, your).
3. When second person is used, is the context positive or negative?
4. After reading the first paragraph, what do you think the reader is expecting?

Example 4 To: Jane Doe From:John Smith Date: 6 April 2016 Subject: Graduate Study Thank you for your interest in graduate study at Colorado State University. You have been admitted to our Cognitive Psychology Program beginning with the fall semester of 2017. The Psychology Department will provide full financial support, including 20 hours a week as a teaching assistant. This assistantship carries a stipend of $2045 per month, as well as a non-resident tuition waiver. As long as satisfactory academic progress is made, this assistantship will continue throughout your graduate career at CSU. The enclosed brochure provides a detailed description of the Cognitive Psychology Program, including the program of study, degree requirements, mentorship program, faculty research interests, and laboratory facilities.

We hope you will join us this Fall. Your undergraduate record, interests, and experience indicate that you will gain much new and exciting knowledge at CSU. Please notify me in writing of your decision to accept or reject this offer, prior to April 15. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 555.555.5555.

Example 4 Questions:

1. Why is example 4 more effective than example 3? Give some examples and explain.
2. What information does the writer give the reader that none of the other examples provided?
3. Would the reader react more favorable to this memo than others? Explain why or why not.