Scholarship Packet 

3 

9.

Conclude with a bang. 

The conclusion is the last chance to persuade or 

impress the reader. In the conclusion, avoid summary since the essay is 
usually short to begin with; the reader should not need to be reminded of 
what was written 300 words before. Also, do not use stock phrases like 
“in conclusion, in summary, to conclude, etc.” 

Sample Cover Letter Format* 
 

Fran Fingers 
1234 Any Street 
Anywhere, Anystate 12345 
(123) 867-5309 
 
October 5, XXXX 
 
Bonnie Blum Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee 
5678 Any Street 
Anyhwere, Anystate 12345 
 
Members of the Selection Committee: 
 
Opening: Houses the reason for the letter, the specifics of your application, 
umbrella statement for rest of letter.  
 
First Paragraph: Topic Sentence, discussion of one of areas mentioned earlier 
(education for example) briefly or in depth depending on accompaniment of 
personal essay and/or resume. 
 
Second Paragraph: Transition, topics sentence, discussion of new point.  
 
Third Paragraph: See second.  
 
Fourth Paragraph: See third. Eventually you will run out of new points to 
discuss. You will then make the transition into a closing paragraph.  
 
Closing: Often times it’s easy to transition from your goals to a summation of 
the letter. Do not use the same wording as the opener. Thank the committee for 
considering your letter.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Signature 
 
Fran Fingers