Reading and Writing Skills

• Book Review

  • a form of criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and value
  • it can be an opinion piece, a summary, or a scholarly review
• Article Critique

  • a.k.a. “Response Paper”
  • a formal document that evaluates a journal article or another type of literary or scientific content
• Journal


  a collection of new research articles on specific topics published regularly
• Article


  shorter forms of research following a specific format and are written about specific topics
• Literature Review

  • a.k.a. “Review of Related Literature (RRL)”
  • an analysis and a combination of scholarly readings and other resources related to the topics or issues included in your thesis paper
• Research Report

  • a systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions
• Project Proposal

  • a.k.a. “Terms of Reference”
  • a document used to present the general plan and purpose to pursue a project
• Position Paper

  • a.k.a. “Point-of-View Paper”
  • a report used to defend an opinion on a specific issue
• Academic Writing

  • Book Review
  • Article Critique
  • Literature Review
  • Research Report
  • Project Proposal
  • Position Paper
• Professional Writing

  • Resume
  • Application for College Admission
  • Employment Application Letter
  • Business Letter
  • Business Memo
  • Business Email
• Resume

  • a document, typically of one to two pages, used to apply for a job
  • contains a summary of an applicant’s personal info, skills, educational background, and work experiences
• College Admission Letter

  • a.k.a “Letter of Intent”
  • a one-page letter required for university admission
  • briefly discusses intention for attending the college program
• College Admission Essay

  • a.k.a. “Statement of Purpose” or “Personal Statement”
  • an essay written by the student-applicant to answer an essay topic given by the admission office
• Employment Application Letter

  • a.k.a. “Job Application Letter” or “Cover Letter”
  • a one-page letter attached to the resume when applying for jobs
• Business Letter

  • the traditional way of communicating information from one company to another (external correspondence)
• Business Memo

  • a written communication strictly within the company’s offices/ departments (internal correspondence)
• Business Email

  • an email with a professional tone which you use specifically for your business purposes