Who can write an Advocacy Letter?

Guideline and Assessment Rubric for Advocacy Letter

SOCW-3303

Due: The end of day on 11/04/2018

1. Guideline

To make your letter effective:

 Keep it short. Be concise and limit your letter to one or two pages.

 Use the appropriate address and salutation. Use the correct title, address, and

salutation, and remember to use spell check after completing your letter.

 Identify yourself. Let your legislator know that you are a constituent, a social worker, and a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

 Be polite. Like most of us, legislators will respond better to positive communication. Start by recognizing their support on other legislation.

 Explain your position. Talk about how the legislation has affected you or the people you serve. Include the NASW recommendations in your letter.

 Ask for a response. Be clear about what you would like your legislator to do—for example, vote for a piece of legislation, co-sponsor legislation, or offer an

amendment—and request a reply to your letter.

 Establish yourself as a resource. You are an expert in your field and can offer to provide additional information regarding the field, the issue, and the effect of

proposed legislation.

2. Rubric

Topic Unsatisfactory Marginal Proficient Exemplary

Description of social

issue or problem

5 assigned points

No facts or only a few.

Very limited

understanding of the

issue or problem.

0~1 points

Several facts.

Superficial knowledge

of social issue or

problem.

2~3 points

Adequate facts.

Significant and fairly

well supported

description.

4 points

Detailed facts and

clearly presented. A

well articulated and

well informed

perspective is evident.

5 points

Understanding and

implications of policy

5 assigned points

Very limited

understanding of the

significance of the

policy and its

implications.

0~1 points

Evidence of the

significance of the

policy. Some

implications of the

policy discussed.

2~3 points

Good discussion and

evidence of

understanding of

several implications.

4 points

Thorough

understanding and

discussion of the

major repercussions of

the policy.

5 points

Persuasiveness of

letter; logic and

critical thinking

10 assigned points

No evidence of

persuasive writing.

Errors in logic and

critical thinking.

Unclear about what

you want.

0~3 points

Persuasive writing is

evident, but

unconvincing. Logic

and critical thinking

are weak or unclear.

4~6 points

Persuasive writing is

generally sufficient.

Logic and critical

thinking are good, but

not fully

comprehensive.

7~9 points

Persuasive writing is

very strong. Logic and

critical thinking are

thorough and

thoughtful.

10 points

Total: 20 points