3.3 Writer's Workshop: Persuasive Letter

Writing Goal: Persuasive Letter

The persuasive letter is a powerful tool. You can use it to request a change or an improvement in an organization, company, community, or government. You can use it to complain and ask for compensation or better service in the future. You can state your case during a difficult situation and request for extra help or time. 

Knowing how to write a persuasive letter can save you money and time. It can lead to changes that provide you with greater service and satisfaction. Youcan also write to help others or to make a change in your world -- be it locally or globally. 

For example:

Back in 1961, a British lawyer named Peter Benenson read an article about two students getting seven years in prison -- just for raising their glasses in a toast to freedom in Portugal. He was shocked and wanted to do something to help. So he wrote about this injustice in a newspaper article and asked people to join him in writing to the Portuguese government.

Not only was there interest in Britain, but people from around the world joined in. This was the start of Amnesty International. It’s now a global organization that uncovers facts about human rights violations and then, through a network of members, writes letters to governments requesting change. (-image by Richard Potts via Flckr)

Today, more than 7 million people write letters through Amnesty International worldwide. Over the years, this has brought help to thousands of people around the globe. People have been set free or granted access to lawyers and medical help. Families have been reunited and others protected from torture and abuse. In 1977, Amnesty International won the Nobel Peace Prize for its positive impact on the world.

That’s the power of persuasion!

You are going to get to practice your formal letter writing skills. You are going to find a problem or issue that you think can be fixed. Then you will write to someone in power who might be able to help.

Workshop Overview:  The Writer's Workshop consists of 2 parts.

Writer's Notebook:

  1. First, you need to learn about techniques and features of persuasion.
  2. Second, you need to choose an issue of importance to you, your family, your community, or your country that you have an opinion about. You want to convince someone to agree with your opinion.
  3. Then, you need to identify your position on the issue.
  4. Next, you need to research information about your issue to include in your argument and outline a plan for your letter.

Writer's Notebook:

  1. You need to write your letter.
  2. You will add an opening that will hook the reader.
  3. You will add a strong conclusion. 
  4. You will learn to format it and to revise it to make it even stronger. 
  5. You may even decide to send your letter.

 Writing Targets:

By the end of this workshop you will have incorporated the following into your piece:

  • A clear opening statement.
  • At least three supporting points that are supported by facts, examples, statistics, quotations, and occasionally emotional appeals.
  • You have identified and responded to an opposing view (called a counterargument).
  • A clear closing statement.
  • A highly persuasive argument.
  • Proper letter format.