Assignment: Open Letter Assignment Page

BRIDGE TO COLLEGE ELA B (TRI 2)
2023-12-11T19:05:55Z

Due: Dec 22, 2023 by 11:59pm

There is nothing wrong with having opinions! The key is to having INFORMED opinions.

Informed opinions are the only opinions we should be sharing or re-sharing online, as we have learned through our media literacy unit.

Your task is to write an open letter on an issue of your choice. The goal of an open letter is to share your informed opinion on a topic with a specific audience--this letter is meant to be seen and heard!

1. Choose a topic: this can be quite literally anything you feel passionate about. However if you are struggling, here is a list of some possible ideas-- 300 Topic Ideas

Other topics you might write about based on class:

Media Literacy Education in Schools

The Responsibility of the Spread of Misinformation

The Spreading of Misinformation on Social Media

2. Choose your audience: once you have a topic to express your opinion about, think about who you could write a letter to that could actually address your concerns. Who would have the power to actually make changes? Should it be someone specific who can change something specific? Or are you trying to change the opinion of the general public?

3. Write your letter: Your letter should be rooted in evidence. You need to include and cite at least 3 CREDIBLE & RELIABLE sources (use your fact checking skills!!). The letter should include the following:

Explain the issue: What is the issue? What credible evidence supports your opinion?

Explain the motivation: Why this topic? What makes it so important?

Explain the solution: How do we fix this issue? What credible evidence supports your opinion?

It’s also important to keep the tone of the letter professional and polite. Avoid using offensive or confrontational language, and try to find common ground with the recipient.

Letter outline can be found here: Letter Outline

4. Share your letter: as mentioned, the goal of an open letter is that it be shared! If the goal is to be persuasive, then can you get people on your side? You will need to publish your letter so that you can get signatures to show people who are on board with your position. You can choose to do this in whatever way you choose. Here are some options:

Print physical letters and get physical signatures

Publish your letter to an online platform of choice and have people sign digitally by filling out a Google Form

Any other creative idea you can think of to prove your signatures

Your letter should include the following:

Clear claims backed up by evidence

Acknowledgment of the counterclaims

Approximately 450-650 words

MLA format

Professional language

There is nothing wrong with having opinions! The key is to having INFORMED opinions.

Informed opinions are the only opinions we should be sharing or re-sharing online, as we have learned through our media literacy unit.

Your task is to write an open letter on an issue of your choice. The goal of an open letter is to share your informed opinion on a topic with a specific audience--this letter is meant to be seen and heard!

1. Choose a topic: this can be quite literally anything you feel passionate about. However if you are struggling, here is a list of some possible ideas-- 300 Topic Ideas

Other topics you might write about based on class:

Media Literacy Education in Schools

The Responsibility of the Spread of Misinformation

The Spreading of Misinformation on Social Media

2. Choose your audience: once you have a topic to express your opinion about, think about who you could write a letter to that could actually address your concerns. Who would have the power to actually make changes? Should it be someone specific who can change something specific? Or are you trying to change the opinion of the general public?

3. Write your letter: Your letter should be rooted in evidence. You need to include and cite at least 3 CREDIBLE & RELIABLE sources (use your fact checking skills!!). The letter should include the following:

Explain the issue: What is the issue? What credible evidence supports your opinion?

Explain the motivation: Why this topic? What makes it so important?

Explain the solution: How do we fix this issue? What credible evidence supports your opinion?

It’s also important to keep the tone of the letter professional and polite. Avoid using offensive or confrontational language, and try to find common ground with the recipient.

Letter outline can be found here: Letter Outline

4. Share your letter: as mentioned, the goal of an open letter is that it be shared! If the goal is to be persuasive, then can you get people on your side? You will need to publish your letter so that you can get signatures to show people who are on board with your position. You can choose to do this in whatever way you choose. Here are some options:

Print physical letters and get physical signatures

Publish your letter to an online platform of choice and have people sign digitally by filling out a Google Form

Any other creative idea you can think of to prove your signatures

Your letter should include the following:

Clear claims backed up by evidence

Acknowledgment of the counterclaims

Approximately 450-650 words

MLA format

Professional language