Language Matters: Genre Analysis - Cover Letters for Job Applications

Look at the three cover letters for job applications which you will find here. Cover letters are a genre within the general category of transactional written text. 

a) What is the communicative purpose of the genre?  

b) How many typical genre features can you identify? Think about:

• Content and organisation
• Layout
• Linguistic features including style. Which of these linguistic features are typical specifically of this genre, which ones are typical of written discourse in general, and which are typical of transactional letters in general?

Then scroll down for the suggested answer.

The Suggested Answer

Ø   The communicative purpose: To persuade

Ø   The text type:  Persuasive

Ø   The layout

1.  The writer's address is top right, and the receiver's name and address top left, starting on the same line as the final line of the writer's address. NB: These would not be included if the correspondence were by email.

2.   The letter starts with an opening salutation - Dear  + receiver's title + surname - and ends with the closing salutation Yours sincerely. If the receiver's name is unknown, the opening salutation is Dear Sir or Madam, and the closing salutation Your's faithfully. Both the opening and closing salutations are followed by a comma. After the closing salutation, there is  a space for a handwritten signature, after which the writer's name is typed and a note of any enclosures is added.

3. Despite the comma after the opening salutation, the first sentence (on the following line) starts with a capital letter.

4. The text is divided into paragraphs.

Ø The content and organisational structure of the content:

1.  Each paragraph of the text covers a specific topic

2. Clear organisational progression from introduction – middle – conclusion : 

a) Introduction: Where the writer saw the advertisement; plus an optional statement of suitability and/or reference to an  enclosed CV

b)  Middle : the applicant's current/past experience and its relevance to the post; reason for wanting the new post

c)   Conclusion : invitation to contact; thanks

 

Various "moves" are evident within these three sections. The following analysis of the moves contained in the letters draws on Bhatia’s (1993) analysis of sales  letters. In a job application letter the writer is effectively trying to “sell” him/herself, and not surprisingly there is a certain amount of overlap in the move structure.

• Establishing credentials (ie why the writer has the right to apply) – eg  letter 1 paras 1+2.
• Introducing candidature – eg letter 1 para 3 sentence 1
• Offering the candidature – eg letter 1 para 3, sentences 2 + 3
• Essential detailing of the candidature – eg letter 1, para 4
• Indicating the value of the candidature – eg letter 1, para 5
• Enclosing documents - eg letter 1 para. 2
• Soliciting response - eg letter 1 para. 6
• Ending politely -  eg letter 1 para. 6

(see : Bhatia, V.K. 1993: Analysing Genre: Language Use in Professional Settings. Longman)

Ø   The typical linguistic features of the genre include

1. Constant use of first person singular/second person personal pronouns and possessive adjectives : I have researched your excellent record... ; I am attracted to Lewis and Holton by your recent rapid growth...; Please contact me if you should require...

2. Predominance of present tense verbs (simple, continuous and perfect): ... the new challenges which I am seeking...; The position relates clearly to my practical knowledge and experience; I have seen your advertisement...

3. Use of adjectives with positive connotations : excellent, superior, enthusiastic, meaningful, significant

Ø Typical features of written discourse include :

1) Syntax: variation in sentence length and construction. Eg letter 1, para 3: sentence 1 = complex; sentence 2 = simple; sentence 3 = compound-complex.

2) Lexis: occurrence of heavily pre-modified noun phrases - MiniCo’s Human Resources career strategies; a very strong and competent in-house advertising team; significant customer service experience

 

Ø Typical linguistic features of transactional letters include :

1) Style 

    a) use of semi formal lexis such as wish rather than want, and Latinate vocabulary – require, consideration, relate, concluded, fundamental etc 

    b) use of full forms rather than contractions : I have seen... I am  enclosing

2) Use of fixed lexical chunks, such as I look forward to hearing from you; with reference to...; Please do not hesitate to ...

 

Language Matters: Genre Analysis - TV Programme Reviews

 

Example articles

1.  The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/aug/01/fantasmas-review-this-wildly-creative-comedy-is-a-beacon-of-hope-for-tvs-future

2.  The BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c727g7nd5ymo

3.  The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/artsentertainment/tv/reviews/intruders-tv-review-a-multistranded-plot-and-uninterestingcharacters-9821732.html

4. The Irish Times - https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2024/08/06/around-my-island-review-the-meath-sailor-is-an-engaging-figure-but-film-is-anticlimatic/

How many typical features of the genre can you identify? Look for :

 

•  Layout 

•  Content

•  Linguistic features, including style

 

For each feature that you identify :

 

•  Name the feature

•  Describe the purpose of the feature*

•  Give examples from at least three of the extracts.     

*Note that if you are working on genre analysis for the Delta Module One exam, stating the purpose of the feature is not required in your answer to Paper 1/5, section a. However, if you are analysing genres for other reasons (eg in order to use a genre approach when teaching writing) understanding the purpose of the feature is important in order to be able to explain it to learners.

Suggested Answer 

Layout and content 

1.   Starts with a headline in large bold font (to catch the eye of the reader) stating that it is a TV review and giving an indication of whether the review will be favourable or unfavourable (to interest the reader and make them want to read on and find out why the reviewer has that opinion). Examples : All four reviews – eg review 2 :

Welsh couple lose on Love Island but win hearts

2.  There will also sometimes be a subhead under the headline (ie a sentence giving more information) in lighter colour, smaller or less emphasised font etc.  This also serves to stimulate the reader’s interest and make them want to read on.  Example:  Review 4 :     Television: Thomas Dolan is an engaging figure but the documentary tells a story that feels as if it has yet to reach its conclusion

3. There is then a photo of a scene and/or characters from the show, with a caption in small font underneath. This makes the show seem “real” and adds visual interest which a solid block of text would lack (Examples : All four reviews)

4. The text is blocked in paragraphs. The first paragraph again tries to draw the reader in by describing an intriguing scene, extreme opinion of the reviewer or other attention catching fact. Examples : all four reviews.

5.  Later content of the reviews may include : descriptions of what happened (eg 1,2,4), descriptions of the protagonists (all four reviews)  and the reviewer’s opinion of the programme’s quality (reviews 1,3,4). The first two topics give the reader an idea of the programme even if s/he has not seen it, while the third serves the overall purpose of any type of review: evaluation.

Linguistic features

1.  Neutral to informal style - eg : 

•   informal multiword verbs  – crams in (1), match up to (2), stick around (3), hold off (4)

•    informal colloquial expressions sort of (1), jammed (2), guy (4)   

•    informal figurative language - stuffed to bursting (1), a stumbling block  (2), falling between two stools (3)

 •  a mix of full forms, especially after noun phrases with a noun head rather than a pronoun, and contractions, Example - Review 3: The story has been adapted from... / she’s been keeping a low profile

•   more formal sentence construction, for example:

a)      the use of long complex or complex/compound sentences Example- review 3: She speaks with admiration of Dolan, but you have to wonder why RTÉ didn’t screen a doc about her achievements and hold off on Dolan’s story until he accomplishes his dream of circumnavigating the country.

b)      the use of a preposition before a relative pronoun. Examples: … without which he cannot get a job (1); a heavy drinker with whom he has not been in contact since he turned 12 (4)

This blend of informal and more formal stylistic devices ensures that the text is clearly “written” rather than “spoken”, but at the same time is easy to read and gives the impression that the writer is "talking to” the reader.        

2.  Personal reference: First person pronouns are used, the writer referring to him/herself as I, and including the reader saying we. Again, this makes the readers feel that a “real person” is speaking directly to them :

Personally, I’m not sure these under-written characters are engaging enough…  (3)

Instead, we get an agreeable but inessential documentary (5)

 

3. The same effect is achieved by the use of second person pronouns and determiners, and rhetorical questions, both of which make it sound as if the writer is addressing the reader directly: 

   A good test might be to consider your tolerance for… (1) 

   That’s before you even get to the multi-stranded plot (2) 

   Wouldn’t it have been better to hold off making a film until he finally achieves his goal? (3) 

4.  Frequent use of adjectives, often premodified by an intensifying adverb, to evaluate the programme:

.. Fantasmas is a fantastically creative and theatrical little diamond (1)

..the utterly baffling new paranormal thriller Intruders. (2)

.. an agreeable but inessential documentary (3)