For questions about cover letter attached to applications or curricula vitae for an academic position. This is not for cover letters for submissions to journals.
A cover letter in academia is a statement of motivation usually attached to the curriculum-vitae in an application to a phd or postdoc-position, or a faculty-application. It contains past experiences and qualifications for the position as well as an outlook on the future within the position.
Resource:
wikihow.com: How to write a cover letter
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