LETTER TO THE EDITOR

(ten points)

Consult: student models

Student Sample 1

Student Sample 2

Student Sample 3

Format: Minimum 250-300 words. Use a basic business letter format (Keys, chapter 27, p. 309) business letter).

         With the inside address, you will identify your target publication, which may be anything from the school newspaper to the New York Times Book Review.

Assignment

Since antiquity, the published letter has been an important vehicle for political, social, and philosophical statements. Using your research and knowledge about an issue--for example, the topic of your Career Essay or Group Project--compose a stunningly effective letter to a magazine or newspaper.

A letter to the editor is addressed to the editor of a periodical and traditionally treats current events, local or national. Typically, such a letter either argues a position about a current controversial issue or responds to an article, column, editorial, or letter published in a previous issue. A letter to a local newspaper, the school newspaper , or to a national publication would be appropriate.

If your letter is a response to something published, please attach a copy of the piece that provoked your letter.

Suggestions:

a) Review letters in local papers for models.

b) Open your letter by describing the circumstances and/or previously published piece which has occasioned your letter. You could respond to an article you encountered in the research for your group project.

c) Briefly outline the position you are opposing and your position.

d) Anticipate and answer the objections of your opponents.

e) Review argument patterns and avoid fallacies (Keys, chapter 4, p. 51).

f) Use parallel structure and a point for point response when replying to a published article,column, editorial, or letter.

g) Avoid highly emotional language, and use logic and patience to present your position.