. . PSC113 Writing Assignment Fall 2020 Letter to Elected Official You will write a persuasive letter to an elected official of your choosing about some aspect of public policy. The letter should be one page, single spaced, one-inch margins, using a standard 12-point font. The letter is due by Sunday, November 29 @ 10pm. You must upload a copy of the letter to the Recitation Brightspace Assignment page. Late papers will receive a full grade deduction for each week it is late. Your TA will guide you through the process of writing the letter. It will be your choice whether you actually send the letter in the postal mail. Before writing the letter you are expected to Research the topic/policy Research pending legislation concerning the topic Research public opinion and social movements concerning the topic Research the chosen elected official's position about the policy area (they may not have one) Research the scope of powers the chosen elected official may have to affect the policy area Start with a Motivating Core: le, what is your motivation? perhaps select one or two below) To explain to an official how an issue affects you or your group. To express support for a proposed law, policy. or course of action To oppose a proposed law, policy, or course of action To demonstrate to an official that constituents are aware of an issue & have an interest in the outcome. To inform an official about an issue or situation, giving background and history To attempt to persuade an official to vote in a certain way on a specific issue To thank an official for support given, or action taken To criticize an official for a past vote or action, To put an official on notice that you are watching the officiat's action about an issue To ask an official to state their position publicly in the media on an issue Some Tips for an Effective Letter THE RECIPIENT Find the name, title, and address of the official who will make the decision about your issue. Make sure that all names are spelled correctly and that you have the proper address. An incorrect name will reduce the impact of your letter. An incorrect address may mean your letter might not arrive at all. . . . . . . . OPEN THE LETTER IN AN OFFICIAL MANNER If you are writing to an elected official, show respect for the postion by the title of the office and the official's full name EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE FOR YOUR LETTER Let your reader know immediately what your letter is about. Tell the official why you are concerned or pleased that a particular decision is being considered. SUMMARIZE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE/DECISION BEING CONSIDERED State the general impact that you expect to occur if a particular decision is made DESCRIBE WHAT ANY DECISONS WILL MEAN TO YOU AND TO OTHERS Describe specifically the positive or negative effects the decision will have on you personally and on those you represent. The more people affected by the decision, the more convincing you may be. Tell the official which, and how many people will be affected. Statistics can be very helpful here. ACKNOWLEDGE PAST SUPPORT Mention appropriate actions and decisions the official has made in the past and express thanks for them DESCRIBE WHAT SPECIFIC ACTION YOU HOPE THE OFFICIAL WILL TAKE State specifically what action you hope the official will take--and by what date: If there is a deadline. IF LETTER OPPOSES SOME ACTION, OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE Try to be constructive and reasonable in your request. What alternative path would make better sense? CLOSE AND SIGN YOUR LETTER Thank the official and sign your full name. Make sure your address, and perhaps phone number are included CHECK YOUR LETTER FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS Correct spelling and grammar won't do the job by themselves, but they can help. Give your letter every possible advantage . . PSC113 Writing Assignment Fall 2020 Letter to Elected Official You will write a persuasive letter to an elected official of your choosing about some aspect of public policy. The letter should be one page, single spaced, one-inch margins, using a standard 12-point font. The letter is due by Sunday, November 29 @ 10pm. You must upload a copy of the letter to the Recitation Brightspace Assignment page. Late papers will receive a full grade deduction for each week it is late. Your TA will guide you through the process of writing the letter. It will be your choice whether you actually send the letter in the postal mail. Before writing the letter you are expected to Research the topic/policy Research pending legislation concerning the topic Research public opinion and social movements concerning the topic Research the chosen elected official's position about the policy area (they may not have one) Research the scope of powers the chosen elected official may have to affect the policy area Start with a Motivating Core: le, what is your motivation? perhaps select one or two below) To explain to an official how an issue affects you or your group. To express support for a proposed law, policy. or course of action To oppose a proposed law, policy, or course of action To demonstrate to an official that constituents are aware of an issue & have an interest in the outcome. To inform an official about an issue or situation, giving background and history To attempt to persuade an official to vote in a certain way on a specific issue To thank an official for support given, or action taken To criticize an official for a past vote or action, To put an official on notice that you are watching the officiat's action about an issue To ask an official to state their position publicly in the media on an issue Some Tips for an Effective Letter THE RECIPIENT Find the name, title, and address of the official who will make the decision about your issue. Make sure that all names are spelled correctly and that you have the proper address. An incorrect name will reduce the impact of your letter. An incorrect address may mean your letter might not arrive at all. . . . . . . . OPEN THE LETTER IN AN OFFICIAL MANNER If you are writing to an elected official, show respect for the postion by the title of the office and the official's full name EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE FOR YOUR LETTER Let your reader know immediately what your letter is about. Tell the official why you are concerned or pleased that a particular decision is being considered. SUMMARIZE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE/DECISION BEING CONSIDERED State the general impact that you expect to occur if a particular decision is made DESCRIBE WHAT ANY DECISONS WILL MEAN TO YOU AND TO OTHERS Describe specifically the positive or negative effects the decision will have on you personally and on those you represent. The more people affected by the decision, the more convincing you may be. Tell the official which, and how many people will be affected. Statistics can be very helpful here. ACKNOWLEDGE PAST SUPPORT Mention appropriate actions and decisions the official has made in the past and express thanks for them DESCRIBE WHAT SPECIFIC ACTION YOU HOPE THE OFFICIAL WILL TAKE State specifically what action you hope the official will take--and by what date: If there is a deadline. IF LETTER OPPOSES SOME ACTION, OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE Try to be constructive and reasonable in your request. What alternative path would make better sense? CLOSE AND SIGN YOUR LETTER Thank the official and sign your full name. Make sure your address, and perhaps phone number are included CHECK YOUR LETTER FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS Correct spelling and grammar won't do the job by themselves, but they can help. Give your letter every possible advantage