# Help Me Write a Letter of Introduction (Employment) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 26, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-write-a-letter-of-introduction-employment/409476 "2007-06-26T15:10:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-write-a-letter-of-introduction-employment/409476/1 "2007-06-26T15:10:37Z")
Friends - The local newspaper where I live has asked for free-lance contributors to join their special publications team. I’ve always been interested in doing some freelance writing, and I’m a pretty good writer if I dare say 😃 , so I’m interested in moving on this. The ad in which they state that they’re seeking writers asks for a letter of introduction. I’m unsure of how to go about this. Here’s what I’m thinking: * * * Mr. So & So Special Publications Editor Such-n-Such Newspaper 123 This Street Springfield, IL 62701 Dear Mr. So & So: In repsonse to your Classified [capitalized?] Ad in the Sunday, June 24, 2007 edition of [this newspaper], I would like to respectfully and enthusiastically express my interest in joining the Special Publications Team as a freelance contributor. I have had an interest in freelance journalism since college, and I believe that this would be a perfect opportunity for me. I have an inquisitive nature and a desire to find out more about topics that interest me. I believe that our community offers several stories that have yet to be told, and about which your readers (myself included) are eager to learn more. Per your request, I am submitting two writing samples. Enclosed are Chapters One and Three of a book I am currently in the process of writing, entitled [title]. I am sending Chapters One and Three (and not Chapter Two) because Chatper Two is rather technical and is filled with charts and graphs rather than a narrative flow, and thus I believe that you will find the enclosed chapters a more engaging read. I look forward to speaking with you and further discussing this exciting opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience… * * * So, does anybody have any critiques? I would certainly appreciate any feedback, positive or negative. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-write-a-letter-of-introduction-employment/409476/2 "2007-06-26T15:23:55Z")
If possible, I would send writing samples that closer represent what the paper will print - it could be a general article on some activity (disc golf, geocaching, corn mazes, etc) available in the area. Maybe you could cover “Kolorabi days” like you were a reporter. Or perhaps some slice-of-life article either from something that happened to you, or some local personality (maybe somebody with an unusual job) Brian ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-write-a-letter-of-introduction-employment/409476/3 "2007-06-26T15:37:42Z")
I think that a newspaper will want accurate spelling and grammar, with a concise writing style. Active voice is better than passive. Space is valuable. Cliches are not! Here’s how I would change your letter: I would like to join your Special Publications Team as a freelance contributor. I have been interested in freelance journalism since college, and this is a perfect opportunity for me. I have an polite, inquisitive nature and am always ready to learn more. At your request, I enclose two writing samples. The first is an extract from a book I am writing, entitled [title]. The second is how I would have covered a recent news story.\* I look forward to hearing from you. \*you’ll have to write this!