Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Persuasive Letter What is a Persuasive Letter? Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines persuasion as “the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.” The purpose of this particular persuasive letter is to convince a character that the idea, issue, or change you are supporting is beneficial to him/her. It is true that the character may be hesitant to accept your ideology or may know little about what you are presenting. Thus, it is your responsibility to clearly outline your stance and use techniques of persuasion in order to support the truth you are promoting. Because you are writing the letter directly to the fictional character, you may transcend all time and cultural restraints. Speak to him/her as though he/she were alive today. Steps to Writing a Persuasive Letter: 1. Choose your topic. Consult the list of suggested topic ideas. You are not required to use a topic from this list, but it will give you an idea of the types of topics that would work well for this type of letter. Identify the idea, issue, or change you would like to address. It is important to choose an issue you feel strongly about so that your voice will come through strongly in your letter. You are not required to choose a gospel truth to promote, but it may be a good method to get you started. 2. Use the graphic organizer to categorize your ideas. You need to outline at least three reasons for your opinion. Brainstorm to generate ideas regarding evidence you have to support your opinion and general techniques of persuasion you can implement. 3. The type of thesis statement that you write for a persuasive letter is a little different than you write for an essay. However, the general idea is the same. Organize your thoughts to include the idea you would like to promote and at least three evidences to support your opinion. 4. Read through the handout which clearly identifies what should be included in the beginning, middle, and end of your persuasive letter. This is extremely helpful information for you as you begin to organize your ideas. 5. Read through the sample persuasive letter so that you will become familiar with this letter’s format. 6. Compose a rough draft of your persuasive letter and schedule a tutorial with your instructor to discuss your first draft. 7. Before your tutorial, review the grading rubric for a persuasive letter. Go through the checklist and identify those areas of concern that you would like to discuss with the teacher.

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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Suggested Topics for a Persuasive Letter All American Heritage School courses use inspired texts and documents to teach and defend truth. References to the scriptures, words of modern-day prophets, documents of the Founding Fathers, and the seven principles of American Christian education are strongly encouraged. Such resources help us answer the “So what?” of each of our writing pieces. It is essential to understand how each piece of literature relates to your life personally and identify truths which strengthen your testimony. You are also encouraged to use outside resources to support the ideas presented in your letter.  Using scripture and the words of the prophets, write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she would experience greater happiness if he/she were spiritually minded rather than carnally minded.  Using scripture and the words of the prophets, write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she is following an unacceptable tradition of the culture in which he/she lives.  Using the documents of our Founding Fathers, write a letter to a character convincing him/her that his/her rights of life, liberty, and property are being violated.  Using the principles of American Christian education, write a letter to a character explaining how planting the seed of local self-government would greatly benefit his/her community.  Using scripture and the words of prophets, write a letter to a character

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persuading him/her to display integrity at all costs.  Using scripture and words of the prophet, write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she should have acted more charitable toward another character.  Using scripture and the words of prophets, write a letter persuading a character you believe has lost hope or given up to endure to the end.  Write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she has an unfair bias/perception of another character.  Write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she could have reacted to a situation in a better way. Outline specifically what he/she should have done differently.  Write a letter to a character persuading him/her that he/she did not fulfill the responsibilities he/she should have.

Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Persuasive Letter: Graphic Organizer

Introductory Paragraph: Introduce yourself and/or the situation. Be positive.

Handle Concerns (e.g. time, cost, fairness, habit, peer pressure).

Reason (least important) with facts, story, or example.

Reason (more important) with facts, story, or example.

Reason (most important) with facts, story, or example.

Conclude. Consider inviting action and expressing confidence and gratitude.

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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Organization of a Persuasive Letter (or Essay) Beginning (one or more paragraphs)  Establish a tone that is friendly, honest, and fair. Remember that the goal is for your audience and you to come together on the issue, not to force yourselves further apart. Demonstrating honesty and understanding is extremely important. Your audience will readily see through any trickery or manipulation. Maintain this friendly tone throughout the letter. 

Begin by briefly exposing and explaining the problem. Help your audience see that it is a problem for you. If possible, show your audience that the problem affects him/her as well.



End your first paragraph (or opening section) by stating your stance on the issue. Be sure that your stance (or thesis statement) is clear, accurate, and defensible. Do not overstate your position or exaggerate. Add any qualifiers that may be necessary. Explain or define anything that might be misunderstood by your audience or that he/she might interpret differently from you.

Middle (three or more paragraphs)  Establish common ground (the things you agree upon) with your audience. You may want to do this as a paragraph on its own, or you may choose to incorporate common ground into the paragraphs where you discuss reasons for your stance. 

Show that you understand the reader’s main reasons for his/her point of view. Agree with your audience when you can, but when you can't agree, tactfully point out some of the flaws in your audiences' reasons. I suggest devoting at least a paragraph to this and getting it out of the way before you begin to discuss your own reasons.



One at a time, present your reasons for your stance on the issue. Devote at least a full paragraph to each of your main reasons. Offer lots of supporting evidence (facts, specific examples, personal experiences, quotes, expert opinions, etc.). At the same time, anticipate what your reader’s counterarguments might be and tactfully defend yourself against them.



The best order to place your paragraphs containing your reasons is generally to put your second-to-best reason first and your best reason last and sandwich your weaker reasons in between. Your audience will tend to remember best what you said last. So, that's why you probably will want to end with your best reason.



Remember when presenting your reasons that you should not leave any claim unsupported. Reasons cannot stand on alone. They need to be backed up with evidence.

Ending (one or more short paragraphs)  Briefly wrap it all up by reminding your audience of your stance and a few of your key points. Don't repeat everything. Keep it very brief. Be sure it is consistent with what you have said in other parts of the paper.  Remember to maintain that same friendly, honest, and fair tone that you should have been using all throughout the letter.  In your last sentence it is sometimes a good idea to make one last emotional appeal to your audience. You may want to remind your audience why the topic is important. Perhaps, you may want to warn (not threaten) your audience about the natural consequences of not changing his/her view. Or, you may want to emphasize the benefits of changing. (Don't exaggerate these negative or positive consequences. Remember: friendly, honest, and fair.)

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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Sample Persuasive Essays -

Read “To Fathers in Israel” by President Ezra Taft Benson. What is President Benson trying to persuade men to do? Read “The Honored Place of Women” by Elder Ezra Taft Benson. What is President Benson trying to persuade men to do? Read “Of Regrets and Resolutions” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. What is President Uchtdorf trying to persuade us to do?

Sample Persuasive Letter -

See sample format and letter below.

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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

(FRIENDLY LETTER FORMAT) Place (optional) Today’s Date

Dear Jane,

Lindon, Utah September 30, 2013

Comma Double-Space

In your introductory paragraph, explain who you are. Be friendly, honest, and fair. Begin by briefly exposing and explaining the problem. Help your audience see that it is a problem for you. If possible, show your audience that the problem affects him/her as well. End your first paragraph by stating your stance on the issue. Be sure that your stance is clear, accurate, and defensible. Do not overstate your position or exaggerate. Add any qualifiers that may be necessary. Explain or define anything that might be misunderstood by your audience or that he/she might interpret differently from you. In your body paragraphs, establish common ground (the things you agree upon) Single-space with your audience. You may want to do this as a paragraph of its own, or you may between choose to incorporate common ground into the paragraphs where you discuss reasons for paragraphs your stance. Show that you understand the audience's main reasons for his/her point of view. Indent Agree with your audience when you can, but when you can't agree, tactfully point out some of the flaws in your audiences' reasons. I suggest devoting at least a paragraph to this and getting it out of the way before you begin to discuss your own reasons. One at a time, present your reasons for your stance on the issue. Devote at least a full paragraph to each of your main reasons. Offer a lot of supporting evidence (facts, specific examples, personal experiences, quotes, expert opinions, etc.). At the same time, anticipate what your audience's counterarguments might be and tactfully defend yourself against them. The best order to place your paragraphs containing your reasons is generally to put your second-to-best reason first and your best reason last and sandwich your weaker reasons in between. Your audience will tend to remember best what you said last. So, that's why you probably will want to end with your best reason. Remember when presenting your reasons that you should not leave any claim unsupported. Reasons cannot stand on their own. They need to be backed up with evidence. Briefly wrap it all up by reminding your audience of your stance and a few of your key points. Don't repeat everything. Keep it very brief. Be sure it is consistent with what you have said in other parts of the paper. Remember to maintain that same friendly, honest, and fair tone that you should have been using all throughout the speech. In your last sentence it is sometimes a good idea to make one last emotional appeal to your audience. You may want to remind your audience why the topic is important. Perhaps, you may want to warn (not threaten) your audience about the natural consequences of not changing his/her view. Or, you may want to emphasize the benefits of changing. (Don't exaggerate these negative or positive consequences. Remember: friendly, honest, and fair.) Complimentary Close, Centered Readable Signature

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Sincerely, Mr. L. Anderson

Double-Space

Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

American Fork, Utah January 23, 3010 Dear Laman and Lemuel,

Clearly state your position

Let me begin by introducing myself as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Introduce Latter-day Saints. This is the same church your family belonged to and your father served as a prophet. While you lived about six hundred years before the birth of Christ, I live yourself and your 2000 years after His coming. I know of your family’s struggle to flee Jerusalem and come situation to the promised land. You might ask yourself how it is possible that I know of such things. It is only because of the preservation of the brass plates by your brother Nephi. I have read this account many times and have come to the conclusion that both of you should have been more supportive of your father Lehi’s decision to flee Jerusalem. I know that it must have been difficult to leave your friends and associates behind. I Establish common much sense. I understand your hesitancy in this situation and yet I think you could have reacted better because the guidance of the Lord often led your family. ground The first complaint against your father was that he was requiring you to do a hard thing (not only in leaving Jerusalem, but also in returning to get the plates from Laban). However, your father pointed out an important principle: “I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord” (1 Nephi 3:5). Your father expressed great faith that when the Lord gives His children commandments, He also provides a way for them to follow them. Your father wasn’t promoting his personal agenda, only acting as a 3 reasons humble servant who had submitted his will to that of our Heavenly Father. In my own life, I have also been asked to do hard things; however, the Lord has provided me comfort for your and ultimately success as I willingly did his will. position; strongest Another reason for your not wanting to follow your father into the wilderness was saved for because he was a “visionary” man. Both he and I agree with you! At the time your last mother was worried about the safe return of her boys; your father responded by saying, “I know that I am a visionary man.; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren” (1 Nephi 5:4). Although you were not able to see the same vision as your father, I imagine he had previously had visions and led you in the correct paths. As a prophet of God, he was entitled to such blessings. I believe that if you should have developed greater faith in the Lord’s ability to help you before hard times came your way. Returning to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates must have been a frightening experience. However, if these plates hadn’t been preserved, they would have been lost in the destruction of Jerusalem. I am personally indebted to your father’s wisdom as he made sure that the plates were preserved. Just as he prophesied: “It is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; and also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets” (1 Nephi 3:19-20).These volumes of scripture are invaluable to the members of the Church today. As a full-time missionary, I had the opportunity to share these scriptures with those who never knew such a record existed. In conclusion, I believe that both of you should have been more supportive and trusting of your father’s decision to flee Jerusalem. He ultimately saved your lives as the city was destroyed. Your lack of faith made it difficult for you to willingly follow the commandments outlined by your father, a visionary man. While I can view the situation

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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

in hindsight and see the weaknesses which led to your complaints, I also know that you were visited by angels of God on several occasions and still not completely converted to the gospel. Your pride and selfishness led to your unwillingness to do what was required of the Lord. However, I know the Lord is merciful and allows us to continue to progress in degrees. I hope that now that so much time has passed, you can see the things of God “as they really are” and receive forgiveness for your hard heartedness. Experiencing a mighty change of heart and being born again is ultimately the way we can become new creatures with no more disposition to do evil. Conclusion briefly wraps up ideas & shows the benefits of change

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Sincerely, Laura Scholl

Try to keep the tone friendly, yet firm

Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

Scoring Guide for a Persuasive Letter Your paper will be evaluated on each of the “Traits of Effective Writing” using a 5-point scale: Goes beyond expectations. An exemplary performance. 5 4

A good performance. Any weaknesses are minor.

3

An adequate performance. Has some serious weaknesses, but not enough to be below the basic standard. Below standard performance. Problems are severe enough that the paper is not acceptable as is. Needs revision. You have misunderstood or ignored the basic requirements. No credit without revision.

2 1

The assignment is worth 100 points, and your score on the paper will be the percentage of the above points you earn. Categories 1-6 are worth 15 points. This will be calculated by taking the points earned (1-5) and multiplying times three. Category 7 is worth 10 points. This will be calculated by taking the points earned (1-5) and multiplying times two.

1. Ideas and Information

    

2. Organization

    



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You convey a clear and effective purpose. You establish areas of agreement (common ground) with your reader, and you carefully consider and respond to your reader’s main arguments. You demonstrate thinking that is clear, meaningful, adequate to the purpose, and fair. You support all of your own reasons with convincing evidence The writing does not just scratch the surface of a topic, but has depth and completeness.

___ x 3

Ideas are placed into paragraphs. You follow either a business letter format or a friendly letter format depending upon which is most appropriate to your audience. The transitions between sentences and paragraphs should be smooth and effective. Your opening paragraph tactfully and effectively explains the issue and invites the reader to accept your stance or solution. You offer at least three significant reasons to support your stance, and you devote at least a full paragraph to each of these reasons. Your ending paragraph re-emphasizes your stance or solution and ends with an effective appeal to the reader to accept your view.

___ x 3

/15

/15

Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

 3. Voice   

4. Word Choice

    

5. Smooth, Well-crafted Sentences

   

6. Conventions

    

7. Presentation

   

TOTAL POINTS EARNED:

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Your tone throughout the letter should be friendly, fair, honest, and tactful. Whether you should sound formal or informal depends upon whether you are writing the letter to someone you know or to someone you do not know. It is evident the writer sincerely cares about the topic and audience. The letter has the clear imprint of the writer. It is expressive and engaging.

___ x 3

Words are selected to fit meaning, not just to impress. Vague words and overused expressions are avoided. You use words with precision. They words you have chosen are the best possible for the meaning you want to convey. You avoid slanted words which reveal a personal bias. You are careful to stay in control of your emotions. Many phrases seem fresh and original. The reader gets the impression that nobody has said it exactly like this before.

___ x 3

Each sentence is well-constructed. The writing flows smoothly and clearly from one sentence to the next. Sentences vary in length and don’t all begin in the same way. The sentences should not seem choppy and disconnected, nor should they ramble (or run on) without a sense of direction, order, or closure.

___ x 3

Carefully edited for clarity, brevity, usage, and mechanics. Clarity means that the meaning is clear. Brevity means that it is not wordy or repetitive. Usage refers to acceptable language, word choice, and grammar. Mechanics means appropriate punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.

___ x 3

Satisfies all length requirements (minimum of 300 words) Typed on word processor, scoring guide attached, etc. Font, margins, and spacing make the paper neat and readable. Any graphics used (optional) aid the reader.

___ x 2

/15

/15

/15

/15

/10

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