1. 11/09/09 BR- On Saturday night, the House of representatives passed an important bill. (1) What was the subject of that bill? (2) Where does the bill go now? Today: Beginning to Write Your Letter Contacting Your Representative

2. Process: (our goal is to send these letters out by Friday!) Get back in your groups and refresh your memories on exactly what you are writing about Get back in your groups and refresh your memories on exactly what you are writing about Begin brainstorming ideas about what to write about. Begin brainstorming ideas about what to write about. What is the specific issue you are addressing? (focus on one thing!) What is the specific issue you are addressing? (focus on one thing!)

3. In the letter Introduce yourself Introduce yourself State your issue State your issue Why should they care, why is the issue important to you/them? Why should they care, why is the issue important to you/them? Cite specific examples (data/statistics) Cite specific examples (data/statistics) Ask for action: “I want you to..” or “What will you do about..” Ask for action: “I want you to..” or “What will you do about..” Thank them for time and effort Thank them for time and effort

4. Resources.. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/lett erscongress.htm http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/lett erscongress.htm http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/lett erscongress.htm http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/lett erscongress.htm http://www.projectfans.org/sample-letter.cfm http://www.projectfans.org/sample-letter.cfm http://www.projectfans.org/sample-letter.cfm http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com/briefin g-notes-sample-protest-letters-links/ http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com/briefin g-notes-sample-protest-letters-links/ http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com/briefin g-notes-sample-protest-letters-links/ http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com/briefin g-notes-sample-protest-letters-links/ http://www.campaignforliberty.com/pdfs/talking points.pdf http://www.campaignforliberty.com/pdfs/talking points.pdf http://www.campaignforliberty.com/pdfs/talking points.pdf http://www.campaignforliberty.com/pdfs/talking points.pdf http://www.campaignforliberty.com/campaigns/ hr1207action.php http://www.campaignforliberty.com/campaigns/ hr1207action.php http://www.campaignforliberty.com/campaigns/ hr1207action.php http://www.campaignforliberty.com/campaigns/ hr1207action.php

5. Tonight.. Write an outline of your letter We’ll read them over tomorrow, make changes, and begin writing the draft. I will check it tomorrow and give you points. Write an outline of your letter We’ll read them over tomorrow, make changes, and begin writing the draft. I will check it tomorrow and give you points. We will be in the computer lab on Friday. I would like a hand written draft of what you will type by Thursday.