Letter to Elected Official: Expressing Support for a Proposed Policy Bill 1341

Letter to Elected OfficialYou will write a persuasive letter to an elected official of your choosing about some aspect of publicpolicy. The letter should be one page, single spaced, one-inch margins, using a standard 12-point font. You must upload a copy of the letter to the RecitationBrightspace 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 youactually 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:(i.e., what is your motivation? 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 theoutcome.• 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 official’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 RECIPIENTFind the name, title, and address of the official who will make the decision about your issue. Make surethat all names are spelled correctly and that you have the proper address. An incorrect name will reducethe 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 position by using the title of the office, andthe 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 orpleased 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 onthose you represent. The more people affected by the decision, the more convincing you may be. Tellthe 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 forthem.DESCRIBE WHAT SPECIFIC ACTION YOU HOPE THE OFFICIAL WILL TAKEState 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 LETTERThank the official and sign your full name. Make sure your address, and perhaps phone number areincluded.

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 everypossible advantage.