Persuasive Letter Assignment

Persuasive Letter Assignment
Dennis L. Guikema, English, Ralph J. Bunche High School

Objective: You will write a persuasive letter urging a voter to choose a candidate or position on a proposition or measure.

Background: November elections are coming soon! There are 13 state propositions, three Oakland measures, and over a dozen state and local candidate elections, from California governor to Oakland city council. Although most students at Bunche are not old enough to vote, you still have the ability to influence voting adults on issues that are important to you. In this assignment you will seek to persuade an adult to vote for a person or position that you feel strongly about.

Standards: California English Language Arts Standards
Writing 1.0, 1.1-1.9 (Writing Strategies)
Writing 2.4 Write persuasive compositions:
• Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion.
• Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).
• Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning.
• Address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Find an issue. Due _________

a.) Go to http://smartvoter.org
b.) Enter your street address and zip code (for example “1240 18th St” and “94607”) and click “Find ballot and polling place”
c.) Review your ballot. Follow several of the links.
d.) Choose an election for a candidate, a proposition, or a measure. (for example “Governor” or “Proposition 85” or “Measure N”

Step 2: Take lots of notes! Due _________

a.) Use the http://smartvoter.org site for information. You can also go to http://google.com and type in the name of the candidate, “California Proposition _” or “Oakland Measure _ “.

b.) Take LOTS of notes about your candidate, proposition or measure AND notes about an opposing candidate or position. Remember, any time you use exact words from your source, put those words in quotes (“) and write down the website address. Here are some questions to consider:
For a candidate:
o What is this candidate’s political party, occupation, education, and other background?
o What issues are important to this person and what is his/her stand on these issues? What are his/her priorities?
o What people or organizations endorse this candidate?
o What is this person’s political philosophy?
o Remember to take notes about another candidate too, so you can compare/contrast.
For a proposition or measure:
o What is the exact wording of the proposition or measure?
o What is the fiscal ($) impact of this?
o What does a “yes” and “no” vote on this mean?
o What is the argument for and against?
o Who is endorsing this?
o What other information can you find on other websites?


Step 3: Write your rough draft of your position paper Due _____

Salutation: Greet your reader. (Dear ______)

¶ 1.) Introduction
• Capture your reader’s attention
• Hint at the importance of this issue
• State your position on the issue of the candidate

¶ 2.) Reason #1 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 3.) Reason #2 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 4.) Reason #3 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 5.) What the opposition says countered by why your arguments are stronger.

¶ 6.) Conclusion
• Restate your position on this candidate/proposition/measure
• Summarize your supporting points
• Urge the person you are writing to get out and vote November 7!

Sign the letter. (Sincerely…)

Step 4: Response and Revision. Due ____
a.) Have at least one peer read your rough draft and use the grading rubric to give you feedback.
b.) Considering peer feedback and your own reflection, revise your letter.

Step 5: Final Draft. Due _______
a.) Check your paper for any grammar errors and use a dictionary or spell check to eliminate any spelling errors.
b.) Publish your final draft on your blog (extra credit).
c.) Turn in a packet that has papers in the following order:
1.) final draft
2.) response rubrics
3.) rough draft(s)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Persuasive Letter Assignment Grading Rubric
Dennis L. Guikema, English, Ralph J. Bunche

Does this letter begin with a salutation and an introduction that
• captures your reader’s attention
• hints at the importance of this issue
• states your position on the issue of the candidate
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your first supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your second supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your third supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Do you have at least a paragraph that considers what the opposition says countered by why your supporting reasons are stronger.
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does you conclusion do the following?
• restate your position on this candidate/proposition/measure
• summarize your supporting points
• urge the person you are writing to get out and vote November 7!
5 4 3 2 1 0



Do you have a peer response rubric attached (and well done):
5 4 3 2 1 0



Did you clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning?
5 4 3 2 1 0



Did you address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.
5 4 3 2 1 0



Is the letter free of errors. (Sentence and paragraph structure is excellent. There are no spelling or grammar errors.)
5 4 3 2 1 0



44-50=A 38-43=B 34-37=C 29-33=D 0-28=F