Gathering Relevant Ideas and Materials - Genre Analysis For this activity, you will read a paper that is an example of the genre required for your introductory | letter or essay. Read these samples in order to understand the genre patterns and requirements of your particular rhetorical situation. All three of these letters or statements represent who you are and make an argument about your potential to not only succeed in this next step but to also fit in and show your dedication. If you plan to write the college application essay, read the excerpt from "5 High Schoolers and Their College Application Essays about Work, Money, and Social Class." If you plan to write a cover letter for a job community, read "Sample Cover Letters." If you plan to go into the military, read "Introduction to Commanding Officer Sample" and "PowerPoint Introduction to Commanding Officer." Genre Awareness and Analysis As you read, look for the specific genre patterns listed below each letter option. Note how writers address those patterns in different ways. Consider how those patterns might be effective for you, as you represent yourself, and for your intended audience. Note which patterns are included all the time and the ones that seem, based on the two samples you have, to be optional. Genre Patterns for College Application Essays . Information about who you are: Be sure this relates to why you want to go to college. Information about what would make you a good college student: What personal experiences have you had to show you are ready to face the challenges of college? Information about your ability to be responsible and/or engaged: How can you show, through work history, school engagement, or other examples that you are a responsible person who will follow this degree to completion? . Information about what makes you stand out: What experience, knowledge, or passion do you bring that will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants?. Do you have other observations? Genre Patterns for Cover Letters . Introduces the applicant in relation to the position Provides some relevant background information, such as education and/or work experience that would inform the applicant's ability to perform the job . Makes a case for what the applicant can bring to the job . Requests some kind of contact to follow up on applying for the job . Other observations? Genre Patterns for Letter of Introduction to a Commanding Officer Note: In the two examples of introductions to commanding officers, one, the PowerPoint, is a negative example. That is, it was presented as a way NOT to introduce yourself to a commanding officer. As you look at both of these examples, note how they both incorporate genre patterns of the introduction letter. But you can also speculate as to why one is considered a successful example and why the other is considered ineffective. Greeting and Introduction: Why are you in the military? Why this branch? What about it made you choose this life? What does serving your country mean to you? How do you serve?Character: What skills and abilities do you have to show how YOU personally are a good match for the military? What abilities do you have to lead as well as to take orders? How are you prepared for the demands of your chosen branch? Background: What are your personal, professional, and military accomplishment? How can you highlight the most important ones for this next role? What have you done to prepare for service? Closing/Your Preferences and Ambitions: What preferences do you have for a duty position? How can you demonstrate your readiness, commitment, and enthusiasm for this next step? Other observations