1. 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

2. 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”

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 4. S
tatement
Focus of the letter

9. 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

10. 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, . . .:

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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