In business writing, what is the purpose of a cover letter in applying for a student internship?

• A. To introduce yourself, explain why you are a good fit, highlight relevant skills, and request an interview.
• B. To list all qualifications.
• C. To explain compensation expectations.
• D. To discuss which courses you took.

Answer: (A)

Think of a cover letter as a bridge between your resume and the internship posting. Its purpose is to introduce who you are, explain why you’re applying, and show why you’re a good fit. You should highlight a couple of relevant skills or experiences and connect them to what the internship needs, so the reader sees potential value. End with a clear request for the next step, such as an interview, to make it easy for the employer to move you forward. This blend of introduction, fit, skill emphasis, and a concrete interview request is what makes a cover letter the right tool for student internship applications. The other ideas—listing every qualification, detailing compensation expectations, or listing coursework in depth—tend to clutter the letter or belong in other documents, not in the main purpose of a cover letter.