Major Paper #2–Letter to the Editor – Urgently Required A + paper with all instructions followed. Read the Example

Major Paper #2–Letter to the Editor
Purpose:
How many times have we heard someone complaining about something happening in our communities–but offering no solutions for the problem? This assignment is designed todevelop your problem-solving skills and engage you in a substantive conversation concerning a current local issue. This assignment will also encourage you to begin seriously considering your audience as a writer. When you are writing a letter such as this you’ll want to consider who will be reading it particularly in terms of what words examples facts or appeals might best convince this particular group.
The Assignment:
* Write a two to three page (double-spaced) letter to the editor proposing a solution to a current local problem. List the newspaper to which you would be sending this to at the top of your paper. Begin the letter with: Dear Editor Throughout the paper be as specific as you possibly can in terms of:
1.) Defining/describing the problem and who it affects
2.) Describing your solution
3.) Defending your solution as the best means of dealing with this problem
As you’re writing this letter also do keep in mind your audience.***IMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics willnotbe accepted:* abortion* capital punishment* euthanasiaI’ve already read more papers on these topics than anyone should in an entire lifetime so I won’t read anymore. I encourage you to be more creative in selecting your topic. For the Letter to the Editor you should also be choosing a topic that is far more specific and local than any of these broad controversial issues.***
Letter to the Editor – Lecture Notes
As your textbook explains Proposals are vital to a democracy. Every country every state and every community has its share of problems. In order to solve these problems citizens must help do their share. Part of what we all can do is use our brains. We can think about the problem consider possible solutions and finally propose a solution that we think best solves the problem and ask others to consider it.
In your letter to the editor you will be proposing a solution to a current local problem. But what problem? And how can it best be solved?
Here are some things to consider before you begin drafting:
One of the best ways to get started in drafting this paper is to make a list of current local problems. What problems does your community face? If you don’t know how can you find out? (One way to find out is to check out a local newspaper particularly the editorial sections. Here you’ll find that a great number of people are already engaged in a conversation about current local problems.)
Once you’ve made a list of problems you’ll want to chose one to actually focus on in your letter.I recommend you choose the problem that most affects you or those you care about something that you actually have a stake in. Any writing is always better when the author cares about his or her subject.
Next you’ll want to define the exact nature of the problem. Is this really a problem? How so? Who does the problem affect? (If it doesn’t affect anyone–or if the cost of the solution would outweight the benefits you’ll want to choose a different topic.)How long has this problem existed? What are the causes of this problem? Who is responsible for this problem?What are some specific examples of the effects of this problem?
Once you’ve determined the exact nature of the problem you’ll want to start thinking about possible solutions. What solutions have been tried so far? What solutions have others proposed? What solutions have been successfully (or unsuccessfully) used to deal with similar problems? How can the causes of the problem be dealt with? How can the harms (or negative effects) of the problem be alleviated? What kinds of solutions are actually feasible (practical)?
Next you’ll want to choose the best solution. You’ll want to choose a solution that could actually be employed and one in which the benefits outweigh the costs. You’ll also want to think about how you can deal with the typical opposing responses (such as Things are fineIt’s not that big of a problemPeople won’t do it We can’t afford it etc.).
Finally spend a little time thinking about your audience the readers of your local newspaper. You’ll want ask yourself questions such as: What do they already know about the problem? Do they already consider this a significant problem? Are they aware of some of the solutions that have been discussed? What kinds of biases might they have about this issue? How can I best reach these people and minimize opposition to my solution?
Once you’ve thoroughly worked through the above issues and questions writing the letter should be a piece of cake. As you’re drafting keep in mind the following:
1.)The opening paragraph is important. How canyou getyour reader’s attention and respect in the very first paragraph?
2.) The problem should be clearly defined (or described) before you propose your solution. The harms (or negative effects) of the problem and who specifically suffers from these negative effects should be clear.
3.)The solution should be a detailed as possible. Consider all of the steps that would have to be taken. Consider all of the costs. Consider all of the benefits. Be as specific as you possibly can. Be prepared to explain why this solution is better than other alterrnative solutions.
Sample Letter to the Editor
To:Junction City Daily Union
Dear Editor
There is a robbery in progress! The students of USD 475 are being robbed! The
suspects include the State Budget Cuts but all evidence points to the Board of Education
and the administrators in this district. The money that should be used to benefit the
students is in the greedy hands of the administration instead.
ClearlyUnifiedSchool District#475 is going to be affected by theKansasState
Budget cuts along with the rest of the districts in the state. I’m not sure about the other
districts but USD 475 may have a simple solution: Reallocation of the budget and a new
set of administrators and school board members who value children’s education rather
than nepotism and administrative salaries.
Junction City’s school district isn’t known for its bright decisions regarding
funds. A few recent endeavors include the purchase of a brand-new Ford Expedition a
year or two ago the move to a differentAdministrativeBuildingthat happens to be in a
much more lavish location and the decision to build an enclosed walkway for students
between the high school and the formerAdministrativeBuilding which is to be used for
more classrooms. These decisions however foolish are still not the main cause for a
budget problem. The administrative costs are to blame. When compared to districts of
similar size USD 475 uses dramatically more money simply for administration. Even
disregarding the percentages although USD 475 has a smaller budget than 305 (Salina)
and 383 (Manhattan) it allocates more money for administration (Salinaspends
$3843180 of their $68267944 budget;Manhattan$3043885 of their $47298811
budget andJunction City$4142284 of their $45743233 budget). During the 2000-
2001 school year USD 475 used 9 of the total budget for administrative costs while
ManhattanandSalinaseemed to be able to get by with only 6 of their budget being
used for that reason. They were able to use 50-51 of the total budget for actual
instruction while USD 475 was only able to allot 46. This is an outrageous allocation of
the budget but the issue doesn’t end there. BothSalinaandManhattanschool districts
are comparable in size toJunction City’s but it is very difficult to understand why
Manhattancan get along with 3 central administratorsSalinahas 1.2 andJunction City
claims to require 7.5. It’s no wonder the administrative monetary needs are so high I
won’t even touch on the issue of a single family dominating the entire district.
It may appear that the 3 difference in money allotted for administration isn’t all
that significant. However when it is put into monetary terms if the administrative costs
were cut by 1/3 which puts the percentage of the budget for administration at 6 like
SalinaandManhattan there is an additional $1.4 million dollars that could be better
allocated. That is a large sum of money that would be better spent on children’s
education not on the inflated salaries of a large number of administrators.
As stated earlier the school district’s budget problems on the surface seem to be
the result of budget cuts and lack of money. The true problem however is the
misallocation of money and the absurd number of administrators in this particular
district. By simply eliminating the unessential administrators (and in my opinion
replacing the chief administrators with people that have true devotion to the students
and the community) and reallocation of the budget the deficiency of money won’t be
such a tough issue. Who knows with the right people writing the budget we might even
be able to allot at least 50 of the money for instruction like everyone else does. Some
people may argue that it isn’t the misallocation of the money that proves to be the
problem that it is the lack of money altogether. I still believe that with the appropriate
cutbacks in specific areas particularly administrative costs the students will be better
off. TheSchool Districtis supposed to be teaching the children; let’s put some money
towards that for a change. All of the information that has been presented can be found
on the internet on the Kansas State Department of Education webpage. Don’t take my
word for it; look at the statistics and budget information for yourself. I’m sure it will
shock and disturb you as much as it did me.
Sincerely
Sally Smith
Letter to the Editor – Reading
Though the content is very similar the specific page numbers of your reading assignment may vary depending on your edition of the textbook. 10th Edition Reading Assignment:The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing Chapter 7pages296-329. Skim the Guide to Writing section for your reference as well (pages 330-349).9th Edition Reading Assignment:
The St. Martin’s Guide to WritingChapter 7 pages320-355. Skim the Guide to Writing section for your reference as well (pages 356-381).Older Editions:
The page numbers listed above are for the two latest editions of our textbook.If you have the 8th editionplease read pages 326-361 and skim 362-387. (7th edition= read pages 329-361 and skim 362-385.)