SAMPLE LETTER
Sheila Watson (SENDER’S NAME AND ADDRESS)
8507 Augusta Street
Concordville, PA 19014
Date
John Stumpf, CEO
Wells Fargo & Company
402 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94163
(RECIPIENT’S NAME AND ADDRESS)
Re: Sponsorship of the Iditorad (SUBJECT HEADING)
Dear Iditarod Supporter: (SALUTATION)
In the Iditarod, dogs are forced to run 1,150 miles over a grueling terrain in 9 to 14 days, which is the approximate
distance between Orlando and New York. Dog deaths and injuries are common in the race. Even before the race, Iditarod
dogs suffer horrendous cruelty every day of their lives.
Mushers have drowned, shot, bludgeoned and dragged many dogs to death. Please end your organization's support of this
event which is a shameful violation of animal rights. (PROBLEM AND CALL TO ACTION)
One reason to reconsider your sponsorship of this race is that terrible things happen to dogs during the Iditarod. This
includes: death, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, frostbite, bleeding ulcers, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral
diseases, kennel cough, broken bones, torn muscles and extreme stress. At least 142 dogs have died in the race, including
four dogs who froze to death in the brutal cold. (REASON AND DETAILS)
Another reason to discontinue your support of this event is that Iditarod dogs endure brutal training. Jeanne Olson, who
has been practicing veterinary medicine in Alaska since 1988, confirmed the brutality used by mushers training dogs for
the Iditarod. She talked about dogs having cracked ribs, broken jaws or skulls from mushers using two-by-fours as a
punishment enforcer. Also, mushers believe in "culling" or killing unwanted dogs, including puppies. Dogs who are
permanently disabled in the Iditarod, or who are unwanted for any reason, are killed with a shot to the head. Dogs are
skinned for their fur, which is then used on mittens and parkas. (REASON AND DETAILS)
Iditarod dogs are treated with such cruelty by mushers and even veterinarians who are supposed to care for them. In the
2012 race, one of Lance Mackey's male dogs ripped out all of his 16 toenails trying to get to a female who was in heat.
This type of broken toenail is extremely painful. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod winner, said he was too stubborn to leave
this dog at a checkpoint and veterinarians allowed Mackey to continue to race him. Imagine the agony the dog was forced
to endure. (REASON AND DETAILS)
Man’s best friend should not be enslaved and savaged for sport. Please visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website at
http://www.helpsleddogs.org to see pictures and for more information. It is time to end your organization's association
with this horrific race. Thank you for your time and consideration (A THANK YOU)
Sincerely, (CLOSING)
Sheila Watson
(YOUR NAME AND TITLE)
Seventh-grade Student
Northley Middle School
Addressing an envelope should be fairly simple.
 In the upper-left hand corner should be your name, and underneath that should be your return address.
 In the upper-right hand corner should be the postage stamp (with the correct postage amount).
 In the middle-center should be the recipient's name and recipient's address.
Envelope Format
Your Name
Return Address Line 1
Return Address Line 2
Stamp
Recipient Name
Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State zip code
<>
John Smith
175 Concord Road
Aston, PA 19014
Stamp
Tom Vilisack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Advocacy: the act of supporting or recommending a cause or policy. Letter writing is an
effective means of advocating to state officials and various other people who are in a position
to effect change.
TASK: After reading the three articles, select an issue and write a letter. Your choices are
below.
1.Puppy Mills
Action: urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to finalize a new rule protecting dogs
in puppy mills!
Write to:
Tom Vilisack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
2. Factory Farms
Action: Stop the Ag-Gag Law and Protect Whistleblowers
Write to:
Senator Dominic Pileggi
Senate Box 203009
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009
Room: 350 Capitol Building
3. Dolphin Capture
Action: Support an amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibiting the capture
of marine mammals from the wild for public display during the Act’s next re-authorization.
Write to:
Congressman Robert Brady
Washington, DC Office
102 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
PERSUASIVE LETTER
DRAFT
Sender’s name and address
Date
Recipient address (include name, title, organization, and complete address)
Salutation:
Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself, state the main reason for writing, and present a call to action.
Paragraph 2: First reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 3: Second reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 4: Third reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 5: Restate main reason for writing, make a final appeal and thank reader for time.
Closing: Include a formal closing such as Sincerely, Regards, Yours Truly, or Respectfully
Your name
Title (optional)