Letter to Congressman Assignment



Letter to Congressman Assignment

You are to write a letter to your U.S. Congressman (Mark Warner, Jim Webb or Frank Wolf).

1. Pick something that is on the national level and that is of concern to you (for example: environment, national security, immigration). To get ideas, look at newspapers, magazines or online news sites, scan the websites of the Congressmen, or watch the national news on TV.

The issue that I will address in my letter is:

______________________________________________________________

My opinion on this issue is:

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. Use your computer time today to research your issue and come up with valid facts to back your argument.

What I want the Congressman to know (my position/argument):

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Facts I can use to back up my position/argument:

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. You are to TYPE the letter in appropriate letter format. See the following page for a template.

4. Turn your letter in to me on XYZ with a stamped envelope. I will mail your letters from school AFTER I read them. Be sure to have some one proof read your letter before you turn it in. When the response comes back from the Congressman, bring it to class.

Your grade will be based on the following rubric:

Letter turned in on time (XYZ) 5

Well-written 10

Factual information 15

Spelling and grammar 10

Letter Format 10

Total 50 points

Sara Barton

123 My House Rd.

Sterling, VA 20165

October 17, 2010

The Honorable (name)

United States Senate OR United States House of Representatives

(address from Congressman’s website)

Washington, D.C. (zip code from website)

Dear (Senator Webb/ Warner OR Congressman Wolf):

I am one of your constituents and I am writing in regards to

(Short paragraph about the purpose of your letter and your position/argument)

(Next, use facts and details regarding your issue to show you have researched it)

(Close by asking for the Congressman’s views but do not demand support)

Sincerely,

Sara Barton

Tips on writing your letter

Senators and Representatives pay attention to their mail (both regular and e-mail). It's good politics. Responding to mail is crucial to reelection. Members know your vote can be won or lost by their response. The most effective letter is a personal one, not a form letter. The letter should be short, informed and polite. Some specific tips:

1. Try to stick to one typewritten page; two pages at most. (If writing in longhand, take care to write legibly and don't write on the back of a page. )

2. In a short paragraph, state your purpose. Stick with one subject or issue. Support your position with the rest of the letter.

3. If the subject of your letter is a bill, cite it by name and number.

4. Be factual and support your position with information about how legislation is likely to affect you and others. Avoid emotional, philosophical arguments.

5. If you believe legislation is wrong and should be opposed, say so. Indicate the likely bad effects, and suggest a different approach.

6. Ask for the legislator's views, but do not demand support. Remember, Senators and Representatives respond to a variety of views, and even if they do not support you position on one issue or bill, they may support it the next time.

7. Currently, many legislators have e-mail capability, but can only respond by regular mail.

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