Persuasive Letter Writing (The rubric below may differ slightly amongst teachers)
Real World GRASPS Writing Rubric
G Real-world Goal
You are going to write a letter with the intention of persuading a person in a position of power to do something (specific) to help/fix a problem you’ve recognized in your community. (This can be the problem you wrote about in your research project, or a problem you learned about from a peer’s project.)
R Real-world Role
You are an researcher, an activist, and a problem solver. You are going to use your persuasive powers to make the world a better place by enlisting the help of someone who can make a change.
A Real-world Audience
We will be sending these letters. You are going to learn about different powerful people connected to your issue. They may be reporters, governors, senators, congressmen/women, school superintendents, etc. These need to be well worded and professionally edited letters.
S Real-world Situation
Yes, you are kids. You don’t have a lot of power or control. But you do have a lot of ideas, and your voice has more power than you realize. These kinds of letters can make a big difference. Too often, people in power forget what it’s like to be in the “real world.” You may very well have a solution they they simply haven’t considered.
P Real-world Products or Performances
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Determine a possible solution you’d like to see take place concerning your issue.
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Research a person who has power/influence that you need for your solution to take place.
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Write a five paragraph letter persuading that person to do something to fix/solve that problem.
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Revise that letter with attention to grammar and audience appeal.
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Mail the letter and wait eagerly for a response or action.
S Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.A
Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.B
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.C
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.D
Establish and maintain a formal style.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.E
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.