how to write an open letter
Genre: Open letter
Purpose: Open letters are used to draw the public’s attention on an important issue; to persuade an audience to adopt a certain course of action; and to reflect or invite discussion on a topic that is important to the writer.
Task: Write an open letter in which you discuss the importance of being/becoming responsible users of digital media. In your letter, you will identify impacts of digital media and discuss how participation in digital media can have influences on the life of an individual. You should express your point of view on the topic. You will integrate information from Assignments 1 and 2 and the 2 readings for the assignments in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably, and answer whether or not the sources/readings echo what you know from personal experience.
Audience: You will be writing for an academic audience: members of academic communities. The piece should be a persuasive letter that could be published in a student publication, such as the California Aggie.
Learning outcome that this assignment highlights:
- Use sources for a specific purpose (to inform, explain, extend, question, and/or support)
- Understand and apply knowledge of the underlying values and practices of one citation system
- Develop sentences that show awareness of purposeful moves in line with conventions of a genre
- Write with detail and specificity
Required Readings and Sources:
- “French parents ‘could be jailed’ for posting children’s photos online”https://www.telegraph.
co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ france/12179584/French- parents-could-be-jailed-for- posting-childrens-photos- online.html - “How technology can fight extremism and online harassment” (TED Talk) https://www.ted.com/
talks/yasmin_green_how_ technology_can_fight_ extremism_and_online_ harassment/transcript
Open Letter Requirements:
750-900 words.
Double spaced, size 12 font, with an effective title, header, and word count
Purpose-driven with clear and relevant arguments and developed supporting ideas.
Must use citations: from the assigned readings.
Avoid lengthy personal examples, unless they show some level of expertise on the topic.
Evaluation Guidelines for Assignment 2
Criteria | |
Content and Ideas
Paper clearly responds to the prompt Introductory paragraph provides enough background information about the topic, people involved, and the importance of the issue. There is a statement that clearly identifies your focus and your opinion (claim) on the issue. Each supporting paragraph discusses a clear supporting idea AND connect logically to the claim Supporting ideas are developed, explained and analyzed Citations connect to your arguments and are well-explained, attributed correctly, and integrated Ideas connect well and flow logically from beginning to end
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Organization and Tone
Paper has a clear beginning, claim, middle, and end Citations are placed effectively inside the content Tone is academic and appropriate for a letter – there is a sense that the writing addresses the audience Each of the supporting paragraphs is focused on one supporting point; paragraphs are divided well Paper is clearly organized with logical flow of ideas.
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Language & Mechanics
Higher order grammatical errors (such as verb tense and form, sentence structure, word order, word choice) are rare and demonstrate careful editing Lower order grammatical errors (such as articles, word form, subject-verb agreement) are rare and do not distract the reader Paper has been formatted per instructions and carefully proofread for typos, spelling, punctuation, etc.
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Specifications
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Advisory grade : |
https://docs.google.com/document/d/176S0x6KEwbXlQhfkATxfyNAQIcwLG1O1LjRrFP8pJAY/edit?usp=gmail
Solution Preview
Responsible Use of Digital Media
Background of Problem
The development and consequent increase in the use and dependence on social media has resulted to opportunities as well as challenges associated with the different digital media platform. The increased use of the platforms for different purposes including formal business activities such as consultation with different businesses on their activities is one of the primary indicators of the extent to which digital media platforms influence the contemporary society. Consequently, there have been cases in which governments invest in laws intended to regulate digital media use to the extent of protecting vulnerable populations.
(904 words)