Review the steps for writing an effective persuasive letter (choose a position, select your audience, structure your letter, write, and revise!). Find out what other New York City kids think about the issues by looking at the results of the online vote and opinion polling.
Below is the criteria for how your letter will be evaluated.
Skill |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Engages Audience |
Interesting opening paragraph
Clear effort to consider reasons convincing to audience |
Opening paragraph is provided but not engaging
Some attempt is made to consider the audience |
Opening paragraph is confusing
Little attention to audience |
No attempt made to provide opening paragraph
No attention to audience |
Viewpoint or position |
Clear and powerful position is taken |
Position is stated |
Position is not an opinion statement, but a fact |
No attempt to state a position |
Supporting Evidence |
Evidence is provided to support each key idea
Includes data, expert testimony, facts, and *historical references |
Evidence is provided for most ideas
Includes some mix of data, expert testimony, facts, and good examples and *historical references |
Some supporting facts are provided |
Little to no supporting evidence is provided |
Opposing Viewpoints |
One or more opposing argument is stated and refuted with good evidence |
Opposing argument is mentioned but no facts are used to explain why the argument is not a good one |
Opposing argument is mentioned but no attempt to refute the argument is made |
No opposing argument is addressed |
Grammar and Spelling |
Completely correct |
1-3 errors in grammar or spelling in the final draft |
4-6 grammar or spelling errors in the final draft |
Legible, but with substantial grammatical or spelling errors in the final draft |
Conclusion |
Conclusion provides powerful, interesting concluding statement which summarizing position |
Conclusion restates main ideas |
Some attempt at a conclusion is provided but is unclear |
No conclusion |
