I have attached all of the instructions! This is for my Political Science class. Thank you so much!
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Letter to an Official Outline (1).pdf
10.
Letter to a National Official
Due Date: December 4th, 2020, 11:59 pm via Blackboard
POLSC 110 American Government: A Historical Introduction,
Instructor: Maxwell Fuerderer
Political Science Department Hunter College, C.U.N.Y. Spring 2020
An effective way for citizens to reach out to their officials is through letter writing, a
form of political participation that can not only inform officials of certain topics, but also
persuade them to take different or stronger approaches regarding those topics.
In your letter, you will ask the official to adopt a specific position and to take some kind
of action, such as co-sponsoring or voting for a piece of legislation (or, in the case of the
President, use his Executive power to some specific end). This letter will be typed, double-
spaced, using a 12-point font and one-inch margins. There is no maximum length, but it should
be around 4-5 pages.
One of the best ways to structure a strong argument is to address the counter arguments
that will likely be posed in response. Therefore, the letter is going to involve a bit of research to
not only argue your points, but also address rebuttals. I will go into detail about the sources that
may best help you in doing this.
1. What needs to be in the letter
(1) Cover Page (5 points)
First, begin with a Cover Page, with the following: A proper heading with the official’s
mailing address and formal title (e.g., Senator or Representative, Governor, President, etc.).
(2) Introduction (10 points)
Begin with an introduction, in which you state in the first two sentences what policy you
will be discussing, and what specifically you want the official to do. In the rest of the first
paragraph, state the argument that makes up the body of your letter. Here, you will give a
summary of what the specific policy, bill, legislation, or subject is about. What does it entail, and
why is it important that it is acted on? Why is it relevant to the current political and/or social
situation?
(3) Your side of the argument (15 points)
Next, explain your opinion on the issue, and why the official should vote for a specific
proposal or bill, or take a specific stance on the issue. Here, you should present evidence that
backs up your arguments, such as why the proposed legislation would be economically,
environmentally, or politically beneficial. Try not to rely too heavily on personal experiences and
other anecdotes, because the object of this exercise is to utilize information and arguments from
scholarly research.
(4) Rebuttal (15 points)
After presenting your side of the argument, you will address what those opposed to the
argument, legislation, or policy will probably claim. This is an effective way to indicate to the
reader that you have not only researched the topic, but have also considered other options, and
subsequently have concluded that your position is the best one.
(5) Response to Rebuttal (15 points)
You will then address the rebuttal arguments and indicate why they are sub-par to the
arguments of your position. Use sources to back up these arguments as well.
(6) Conclusion (10 points)
Wrap up the letter with a conclusion. The conclusion does not have to be much more than
a paragraph. Here, you can simply wrap up the whole argument, and state that you hope that the
official in question follows your policy preference in this case.
(7) End of the Letter (5 points)
At the end of the letter, leave a space for where you would normally sign your name, and
type out your name directly under that.
(8) Research for your topic: Citations and Sources (15 points)
In conducting your research, it is best to utilize scholarly sources, and look for supporting
and opposing viewpoints to your issue. Two great resources for this are CQ Researcher and
Opposing Viewpoints, which all UC CONSUU VIA WICHUM. Cunege zrorary Website, as well as
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environmentally, or politically beneficial. Try not to rely too heavily on personal experiences and
other anecdotes, because the object of this exercise is to utilize information and arguments from
earch.
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(4) Rebuttal (15 points)
After presenting your side of the argument, you will address what those opposed to the
argument, legislation, or policy will probably claim. This is an effective way to indicate to the
reader that you have not only researched the topic, but have also considered other options, and
subsequently have concluded that your position is the best one.
(5) Response to Rebuttal (15 points)
You will then address the rebuttal arguments and indicate why they are sub-par to the
arguments of your position. Use sources to back up these arguments as well.
(6) Conclusion (10 points)
Wrap up the letter with a conclusion. The conclusion does not have to be much more than
a paragraph. Here, you can simply wrap up the whole argument, and state that you hope that the
official in question follows your policy preference in this case.
(7) End of the Letter (5 points)
At the end of the letter, leave a space for where you would normally sign your name, and
type out your name directly under that.
(8) Research for your topic: Citations and Sources (15 points)
In conducting your research, it is best to utilize scholarly sources, and look for supporting
and opposing viewpoints to your issue. Two great resources for this are CQ Researcher and
Opposing Viewpoints, which can be accessed via the Hunter College Library Website, as well as
JSTOR. Please be aware that you will need your Hunter College ID number and password to log
into the Library’s databases, and can log into JSTOR via our institution (Hunter College)
CQ Researcher can be accessed at the following link:
http://library.capress.com.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/cgresearcher/
Opposing Viewpoints can be accessed at the following link: https://go-gale-
com.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/ps/start.do?p=OVIC&u=cuny_hunter
JSTOR can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.jstor.org/
Citation Requirements:
– at least three scholarly sources (scholarly journal articles or scholarly books). This
includes CQ Researcher. If you are confused if your source qualifies, feel free to ask me. I highly
recommend using JSTOR, one of the best online databases for scholarly journals and articles,
which you should be free to access, through our institution.
– and at least two other sources, such as news articles, Government Documents,
statements from government offices, public statements, etc. Please, try to avoid Wikipedia
articles. While this website is an online encyclopedia, it is not actively vetted according to
scholarly standards.
-Make at least ten (10) citations in total, drawing from these sources.
-A “Works Cited†page (bibliography) at the end. A great resource for creating an
organized, alphabetized bibliography can be found at: https://www.easybib.com/.
-Note: I will accept any type of citation format (in-text, MLA, Chicago, etc.), so long
as the works are cited correctly, and a bibliography is included at the end
(9) Spelling and Grammar (10 points)
As you are writing to an official, it is not only important that a potential letter has strong
arguments, but it should also read smoothly and not have a great deal of spelling and grammar
errors. Make sure to check over your work before submitting!
II. Topics that you make
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articles. While this website is an online encyclopedia, lis not acuively vetted accorumg to
scholarly standards.
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-Make at least ten (10) citations in total, drawing from these sources.
-A “Works Cited†page (bibliography) at the end. A great resource for creating an
organized, alphabetized bibliography can be found at: https://www.easybib.com/.
-Note: I will accept any type of citation format (in-text, MLA, Chicago, etc.), so long
as the works are cited correctly, and a bibliography is included at the end
(9) Spelling and Grammar (10 points)
As you are writing to an official, it is not only important that a potential letter has strong
arguments, but it should also read smoothly and not have a great deal of spelling and grammar
errors. Make sure to check over your work before submitting!
II. Topics that you may choose
You may choose from any of the following topics or write about a topic that concerns a
national policy issue (not local). If you have another topic in mind, please ask me and I will
grant approval. Some topics include:
Economy: jobs, unemployment, economic growth, economic recession, inflation,
wages, stimulus packages, Coronavirus response, etc.
– Higher education policy: student loans, student financial aid, Pell grants, College
acceptance policy, disciplinary policies, etc.
Energy policy: clean energy, renewable energy, nuclear energy, fossil fuels, non-
renewable energy,
Climate Change Policy – Cap and Trade, International Climate Agreements, Fracking,
Sea Levels, etc.
Civil liberties: Privacy, abortion policy, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speech,
Gun Advocacy/Gun Control
– Civil rights: Criminal justice reform, prison reform, police reform, equal rights
Elections: election processes, Electoral College, Voting Requirements, Mail-in voting,
Elections in times of crisis, primary elections, campaign finance reform, PACS and SuperPACS,
2020 Presidential election, etc.
– Judicial appointments: federal judges, Supreme Court appointments, Tenure of Judges,
– Impeachment of the president – (If you choose this topic, you will need to find
impeachable offenses outside of those President Trump has already been acquitted of).
– Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (make sure to reference a specific policy or
legislation in this case)
III. Finding a specific type of legislation to write about:
A useful tool to look at previous and ongoing legislation can be found at the following
link:
https://www.govtrack.us/
For roll-call votes on specific legislation, to see how specific members have voted, see:
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/Appropriations+for+Fiscal+Year+20
20
IV. Deciding which official to write to:
You will decide to whom you will write. I recommend writing to a Representative or
Senator that serves the area in which you live as von would be writing to them as a constituent.
As the President serves the country at large, this would apply to the President as well.
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III. Finding a specific type of legislation to write about:
A useful tool to look at previous and ongoing legislation can be found at the following
link:
https://www.govtrack.us/
For roll-call votes on specific legislation, to see how specific members have voted, see:
https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/Appropriations+for+Fiscal+Year+20
20
IV. Deciding which official to write to:
You will decide to whom you will write. I recommend writing to a Representative or
Senator that serves the area in which you live, as you would be writing to them as a constituent.
As the President serves the country at large, this would apply to the President as well.
I want to clarify: Please write to an official who is currently serving, as former officials
will not have the exact means to implement legislation (besides the fact that they will no longer
have the address you would be sending the letter to!)
Disclaimer: You are not actually required to send a letter to an official (though, as a
form of political participation, I highly encourage it!). This is simply an exercise that blends
political activity with scholarly research.
To get names and mailing addresses for members of Congress and Governors:
For House members: https://www.house.gov/ (enter your zip code in the top-right corner
to find your Representative)
For Senators: https://www.senate.gov/ (Hover over the “Senators” tab, click “Contact,”
then select your state. Both of your Senators, and their addresses, will appear.
For Governors: https://www.nga.org/governors/(A full roster of the Governors is listed
by state, alphabetically. Click on your Governor and scroll down, to find their address)
For the President, this address I will give you:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C., 20500
V. Submitting the Paper:
The paper is due via Blackboard at 11:59pm, Friday, December 4th 2020. I will create a
folder where you can upload and submit the paper. If you believe that you will be unable to
complete the assignment by the posted date, please reach out to me as soon as possible, so
that any issues may be addressed.
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To get names and mailing addresses for members of Congress and Governors:
louse members: https://www.house.gov/(enter your zip code in the top-right corner
5 of 5 Representative)
senators: https://www.senate.gov/ (Hover over the “Senators” tab, click “Contact,”
then select your state. Both of your Senators, and their addresses, will appear.
For Governors: https://www.nga.org/governors/(A full roster of the Governors is listed
by state, alphabetically. Click on your Governor and scroll down, to find their address)
For the President, this address I will give you:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C., 20500
V. Submitting the Paper:
The paper is due via Blackboard at 11:59pm, Friday, December 4th 2020. I will create a
folder where you can upload and submit the paper. If you believe that you will be unable to
complete the assignment by the posted date, please reach out to me as soon as possible, so
that any issues may be addressed.
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