After
completing a two-year degree from American River Community College, Jim Burke has asked
you to write a letter recommending him for admission to Pitzer College. To assist you in writing
this letter, Jim Burke has given you a memoir that he wrote detailing his experiences as a
student. Ironically, you have just finished reading an article written by Dr. Angel B. Perez, the
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Pitzer. You decide to refer to the advice that Dr. Perez
offered in his article as evidence for your argument that Jim Burke would be a worth candidate
for admission.
OBJECTIVE: Using information from Jim Burkes memoir, write a letter to Dr. Angel B. Perez
recommending Jim Burke for admission to Pitzer College.
INTRODUCTION:
THE TASK: Include a salutation, identify the purpose of the letter, and explain how you know
Jim Burke. Also acknowledge Perezs article. (you may use my sample introduction that I have
provided below ORyou may choose to rewrite it to fit your own style).
Dear Dr. Perez:
It is my privilege to write a letter recommending Jim Burke, a former student of mine at Rio
Americano High School, for admission to Pitzer College. Based on reading Want to Get into
College? Learn to Fail, the article you wrote for Education Week magazine in February, 2012,
I am convinced that Jim Burke would be a valuable addition to your student body.
CONCLUSION: Reflection
THE TASK (Select one of the following possibilities)
1). Maintaining the point of view of Mr. Kichener, write a paragraph explaining what other
students can learn from Jim Burkes experiencesor what you can use as a teacher to assist
other students.
OR
2). Switching to your own point of view, write a paragraph reflecting on what you have learned
from Jim Burkes experiences that you can apply to either in your academic or personal life.