Other Homework Help

Letters and e-mails can be particularly effective in influencing policymakers’ views. Writing to policymakers or your legislators also offers an opportunity to maintain contact and keep your issues on the front burner even when you cannot meet personally.

This assignment requires you to identify one important policy problem in your own communities and suggest one solution to your legislators. You will be asked to write a short letter to describe the issue to a legislator.

Tasks:

1. Getting the Name and Address for Your Legislator

You can find the names and addresses of all the elected officials who represent you by going to this website: https://www.congressweb.com/aam/legislators/#/legislators/ (Links to an external site.)

Under “Find your Elected Officials”, just enter your street address and zip code in the boxes and click the button that says “GO.” It will show you all the elected officials’ information (federal, state, and local) for your address.

Pick one legislator based on the issue you are going to raise. She/he should be the one who is most familiar with the issue and should take action. Do further research on his/her background.

Next:

You can write a letter based on the tools you have learned from Module 3. Whether you are writing a letter or an email, you should keep your message short and to the point. Limit your letter to two pages. The following contents are required:

1. The first paragraph of your message should clearly state the issue or concern about which you are writing. A clear policy problem statement is required.
2. The second and third paragraphs should explain why this issue is important and necessary to you and to your community. You should provide compelling and accurate evidence that convinces the legislator to accept the main issue. Provide some specific examples of how the issue affects you or other people in their districts. As you explain why this issue is important to you and the community, be sure to use simple words and avoid abbreviations and acronyms that may make it difficult for the legislator to understand your message.
3. The fourth paragraph should explain what you want your legislator to do about the issue: the policy alternative. You need to explain why doing so is effective and feasible to address the issue.
4. Close your message by thanking the legislator for their service and asking for a response.
5. Sign your name.
6. Include your address and phone number below your signature.

Format Your Message

Make sure to spell your legislator’s name correctly and use the correct address.

Address letters to representatives like this:
The Honorable John Smith
Florida House of Representatives The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

Address letters to senators like this:
Senator Jane Doe
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

USING A PROPER GREETING

Whether you are writing a letter or an email, your message should begin with a proper greeting. If you are writing to a representative, begin with “Dear Representative” and then their last name followed by a colon. For example:
Dear Representative Smith:

If you are writing to a senator, begin with “Dear Senator” and then their last name followed by a colon. For example:
Dear Senator Doe:

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• You want your message to be polite and look professional.
• Avoid using words in all capital letters as this is like yelling at someone.
• Avoid colored paper or backgrounds, fancy fonts, and colored inks; instead, use plain paper (or white backgrounds in emails) and basic fonts written in black ink.
• Letters should be neatly written or typed. If people can’t read your writing, then your message won’t be read or understood.
• Keep a copy of your email or letter so you can refer to it later when you follow-up with your legislator.