Letter to a Legislator

Content Area

5 points

3-4 points

0-2 points

Timing of the issue

Issue is well timed and current; action is pending.

Issue has already been addressed and legislative action is almost complete; action is not pending and is vague; possibly an issue that will “die”.

Poor timing of issue. Either the issue is already passed or is so new that no or minimal attention has been drawn to the issue.

Appropriate selection of a legislator

The legislator has authored the bill or chairs the committee.

The legislator is on the committee but is not in a key position to impact the bill; the legislator’s district is identified.

The legislator is remotely involved and has minimal to no impact on the bill. Incorrect selection.

Professional writing style

*Points are doubled in this area.

The letter is very well organized; grammar is correct; no spelling errors; language is professional and writing is concise. All guidelines are adhered to including font style and size, length, completeness of the letter. (9-10 points)

The letter is fairly well organized; 1-2 grammar or spelling errors; language is professional most of the time; some wordiness or lack of conciseness to the writing. Guidelines are mostly adhered but contain 1-2 deviations. (6-8)

Poor organization of the letter; 3 or more spelling or grammar errors; language lacks a professional tone and the writing is very wordy and/or too brief. Guidelines are poorly adhered to; 3 or more deviations. (0-5)

Persuasiveness and accuracy of information

*Points are doubled in this area.

The letter is persuasive; the student’s position is clear; information presented is accurate and complete; action required of the legislator is clearly stated. (9-10 points)

The letter has some persuasiveness to it but could be strengthened; the student’s position is clear or slightly vague; information presented is mostly accurate and complete; action required of the legislation lacks some clarity. (6-8)

The letter is too general and lacks a persuasive tone; student’s position is not clear; action required of the legislator is not clear. (0-5)

Summary

Bill number, title, and author are identified;

Original problem is identified; action dates and updates are included; committee chairs and members are identified; rationale for selection of the legislators is complete and accurate; importance of the issue is identified and appropriate.

One aspect of the bill information is missing; original problem is vague; some missing information on action dates and updates; some missing information on committee chairs and members; fair rationale for selection of the legislator; fair rationale on the importance of the issue.

Lack of information on the bill; no information on the original problem; no information on action dates or updates; lacks information on committee chairs and members; weak or incorrect rationale for selection of the legislator; weak or absent rationale regarding the importance of the issue.