October 27, 2010
To:
From:
Subject:
Susan Helf
Molly Ericson
Audience Analysis
I have analyzed the situation and audience for which I am writing my persuasive memo. This report
discusses the background of the issue I will be addressing, information about my audience and
specific strategies I will use to get my message across in a positive way.
Background Information
Each fall since its formation in 1973, the Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department organizes
basketball teams for all interested boys from second through fifth grade. The purpose of this
program is to provide a fun learning experience in which all players can participate. Two middle
schools in the Issaquah School District have competitive basketball programs for the seventh and
eighth grade boys but do not have sixth grade teams. The only way for sixth grade boys in the
Issaquah area to play on a local basketball team is to be selected as one of twelve members of the
“All-Star Team.”
In each of the past two years, 50 to 60 boys have competed against one another during a threeevening try-out for a spot on this team. Those not chosen receive the discouraging message that they
are “not good enough” to play, which is hard for any 11-year-old to accept. There were
approximately 80 sixth-grade boys in the basketball program last year, leaving perhaps as many as
68 players without a team this year.
The population of Issaquah has swelled tremendously in the past five years. Three new elementary
schools have been added to the Issaquah School District and a new middle school is scheduled to
open next fall. The Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department should expand its basketball program
to provide teams for all sixth-grade boys interested in basketball.
It is time for the Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department basketball teams to be organized for
this year. Addition teams for sixth grade boys must be organized by November 15, 1998, so the
teams will have time to practice before the regular season begins in mid-December.
My Audience
Charlie Hosterman is the Recreation Program Supervisor for the Issaquah Parks and Recreation
Department. He has held this position for at least five years and is not known to be receptive to
suggestions for program changes. He is responsible for balancing the recreational needs of the
community’s variety of age groups and interests. He is also under the pressure imposed by a limited
number of available sports facilities and a growing number of participants.. Lack of space is always
a problem when new programs are requested.
Strategies to persuade
Based on my understanding of the situation and the analysis of my audience, I will use the
following strategies in my persuasive memo:
- Indirect Approach. I want Charlie to know that I support his efforts to provide
Issaquah children with a quality basketball program. I am not criticizing his
leadership, but I will suggest that more children can benefit by being included.
- Common Ground: Because of the past involvement that my husband John and I
have had in the program, I will emphasize that we are committed to the same goal-- a basketball
program that fully meets the needs of our growing community. I will also stress our willingness to
help with additional teams.
- Overcoming Objections: Charlie will cite the lack of facilities and intense competition
for use of basketball courts. I will suggest we can reschedule some use of the facilities’ courts and
shift basketball games to courts in local schools.
- Alternatives: Charlie probably knows the specific obstacles to sponsoring additional sixth
grade basketball teams better than I do, so I will provide him with several possible solutions to
consider.
- Reader Benefits: Charlie could become a very popular man by forming additional
sixth grade teams. No one likes to see an 11-year-old boy sobbing after being cut from a team.
Basketball coaches from Issaquah High School are interested in the talent that comes from this
program, and their pool of possible players will be increased.
Molly Ericson
4001 Riverview Drive
Issaquah, WA 98027
October 27, 1998
Charlie Hosterman
Recreation Program Supervisor
Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department
P.O. Box. 1307
Issaquah, WA 98027
Dear Charlie:
As a community member and a parent, I have seen the many benefits offered by the Issaquah Parks
and Recreation Department’s Youth Basketball program to children in the Issaquah area. Your
personal dedication and effort as the Recreation Program Supervisor has helped make organized
basketball fun and exciting for players and fans alike. My husband John and I share your
commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for our kids to develop a healthy habit of
physical exercise. Children who play sports learn what teamwork is all about.
As you know, the population of Issaquah has been swelling tremendously, with the district adding
four new schools in the past five years. The demands on the Issaquah Recreation Center have
increased as well. Interest in the sixth grade basketball program has soared in the past two years. In
1996 and 1997, 80 to 90 boys competed against each other during a three-evening try-out for a spot
on the sixth-grade “All-Star” basketball team. While two Issaquah middle schools have competitive
teams for seventh and eighth-grade boys, the “All-Star Team” is the only option for sixth-grade
boys who want to play basketball..
Since the “All-Star Team” is limited to 12 players, this leaves almost 70 boys without a chance to
play on a team. Those who failed to make the cut have been deeply disappointed. With your help,
we can give these kids a chance to continue playing by expanding the basketball program with
additional sixth-grade teams.
My proposal is as follows:
- establish an eight-team league for sixth-grade boys;
- include a maximum of ten players per team;
- plan a seven-game schedule, with games played on Saturdays at Issaquah Middle
School and Pine Lake Middle School after the last scheduled games on those days;
- draw coaches and referees from parent volunteers;
- schedule one hour of practice per week for each team.
I know it must be challenging to balance the recreational needs of the community’s many age
groups and interests. While the supply of basketball courts is limited, with some rearranging, the
needs of all players could be met. Two nights a week, a court is regularly reserved for men’s’
basketball. These courts could be rescheduled for use by the sixth-graders early in the evening.
Men’s court play could be rescheduled later on the same nights or on weekend evenings. Another
possible solution might be to provide the second-grade players with a series of weekly clinics in
which the children would learn basketball fundamentals as an alternative to regular team
competition.. This would free up courts for the sixth-grade teams as well.
I’ve talked with many parents of eleven-year-old boys. These parents strongly support an
expansion of the basketball program, and many parents have expressed their willingness to help, as
organizers, coaches and referees. An expanded basketball program will allow all sixth grade boys to
participate. This will enable the boys to continue to develop solid basketball skills while they learn
some very valuable life lessons at the same time. Working together, we have the opportunity to
make a great basketball program even better.
I am sure that you are much more familiar than I am with all of the details that need to be worked
out. I would like the opportunity to discuss the possibilities with you further. Since it is time to
organize basketball teams for this season, would you please contact me by November 10 so we can
meet to discuss the necessary plans? My phone number is (425) 123-4567. My email address is
mollyericson@gmail.com
Thanks for your help and continued commitment to our community. I look forward to talking with
you soon!
Sincerely,
Molly Ericson