Phil Druker, Dept. of English, U of Idaho

Cover letters for non-fiction articles/ Letter of transmittal

Purpose:

            You attach a cover letter to an article to introduce the article to the editor.  It’s a place to summarize the article, tell who your audience is, and request that the editor accept the article.  Follow this outline:

Introductory Paragraph:

    Title and purpose (if not clear from the title) of the article
Audience for the article (who is it written for?)
Authorization—
    --Who authorized the project?
    --When?
      ●        refer to your proposal
     --Show how the article has met your proposed objectives or
       how your objectives have changed.

 Body Paragraph(s):

·        Methods—briefly mention what kinds of research you did and who you interviewed

·        Results—
--Give an overview of your results,
--Point out the main results, or
--Point out surprising results/findings.

·       Conclusions of the article  Ü  Focus here/ emphasize the conclusion.

·        Recommendations

 Conclusion Paragraph (call to action)
·        Acknowledge assistance you received.
·        Offer to assist with interpreting your article.
·        Offer to assist with carrying out further work.
·        Make a call to action: ask that the editor accept your article.
·        Add personal comments.

Notes:

·        Use correct business letter format.
    --one page, single space
·        Keep the level of technicality low.
·        Refer to your proposal:  problem, objectives, scope.
    --Show how the report meets/does not meet your proposal objectives.
    --Define or redefine the scope of your project.