Persuasive Letter is . . . Written to one person or a small group School Principal Business Manager Mayor State Senator SBDM City Counsel Company Board of Directors

Topics for a persuasive letter Something the reader needs to do Why we need to have Audience – Mayor – ‘Expand the Extreme Park to include a concession stand” Kodak – “Clearer requirements for film developing process” Audience – Principal – “Why we need to have a dress code” SBDM – “Eastern should adopt a plastic bottle recycling project”

Block format 8 parts All left margin Fewer keystrokes Standard business format 1. Return address and date Block format 2. Inside Address 3. Salutation 4. Statement 5. Reason and Evidence 8 parts 6. Conclusion 7. Complementary Close 8. Autograph and typed name

1. Return address and date Generally starts on the first line of the document No writer’s name necessary It is after the complementary close

2. Inside Address 4 to 10 spaces from return address and date Extra spaces can be taken out or added according to length of letter Full name and address of person or group to whom you are writing

3. Salutation 2 spaces below Inside Address End in a colon

4. S tatement Your purpose for writing the letter 2 spaces below Salutation Your purpose for writing the letter Tell them what you are going to tell them

4. S tatement Focus of the letter

5. R E eason and vidence At least two separate Reason and Evidence paragraphs – but you may have more than two Personal opinions and religious beliefs should not be used in a persuasive letter 1 2

5. Reason and Evidence Must use facts Document facts by citing sources 2 spaces Example - “According to an Associated Press article found in the Courier-Journal May 14, 2002, . . .:

6. Conclusion Restates your facts in a much shorter form Tell them what you told them 2 spaces below Reason and Evidence

7. Complementary Close Sincerely is standard Must end in a comma

8. Autograph and typed Name Type full name 4 spaces below Complementary Close Autograph is required to make it a legal document 4 spaces below Complementary Close

Block format 8 parts All left margin Fewer keystrokes Standard business format 1. Return address and date Block format 2. Inside Address 3. Salutation 4. Statement 5. Reason and Evidence 8 parts 6. Conclusion 7. Complementary Close 8. Autograph and typed name

Organization Statement Paragraph Statement of purpose Other important details: Organization Statement Paragraph Statement of purpose Supporting reasons stated

Language Appropriate for content, purpose and audience Other important details: Language Patriotic language appeals to audience Language reinforces statement of purpose Appropriate for content, purpose and audience

Sentences Sentence length should vary Transition and interrupter Other important details: Sentences Sentence length should vary Transition and interrupter Moves from one idea to another Adds additional information The sentence would work without it Complex and simple sentences used Two clauses in the sentence Uses comma to divide the clauses Subject / verb only and short Paragraph demonstrates Variety of sentence structure Variety of sentence length

A proper persuasive letter should include Statement, Reasons and Evidence throughout Proper format Target audience First paragraph introduces focus and ideas Uses a variety of sentences Language supports focus and appeals to the audience