Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Persuasive Letter
What is a Persuasive Letter?
Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines persuasion as “the
act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind
or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.” The purpose of this particular persuasive
letter is to convince a character that the idea, issue, or change you are supporting is beneficial to
him/her. It is true that the character may be hesitant to accept your ideology or may know little
about what you are presenting. Thus, it is your responsibility to clearly outline your stance and
use techniques of persuasion in order to support the truth you are promoting. Because you are
writing the letter directly to the fictional character, you may transcend all time and cultural
restraints. Speak to him/her as though he/she were alive today.
Steps to Writing a Persuasive Letter:
1. Choose your topic. Consult the list of suggested topic ideas. You are not required to use a
topic from this list, but it will give you an idea of the types of topics that would work well
for this type of letter. Identify the idea, issue, or change you would like to address. It is
important to choose an issue you feel strongly about so that your voice will come through
strongly in your letter. You are not required to choose a gospel truth to promote, but it
may be a good method to get you started.
2. Use the graphic organizer to categorize your ideas. You need to outline at least three
reasons for your opinion. Brainstorm to generate ideas regarding evidence you have to
support your opinion and general techniques of persuasion you can implement.
3. The type of thesis statement that you write for a persuasive letter is a little different than
you write for an essay. However, the general idea is the same. Organize your thoughts to
include the idea you would like to promote and at least three evidences to support your
opinion.
4. Read through the handout which clearly identifies what should be included in the
beginning, middle, and end of your persuasive letter. This is extremely helpful
information for you as you begin to organize your ideas.
5. Read through the sample persuasive letter so that you will become familiar with this
letter’s format.
6. Compose a rough draft of your persuasive letter and schedule a tutorial with your
instructor to discuss your first draft.
7. Before your tutorial, review the grading rubric for a persuasive letter. Go through the
checklist and identify those areas of concern that you would like to discuss with the
teacher.
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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Suggested Topics for a Persuasive Letter
All American Heritage School courses use inspired texts and documents to teach and defend
truth. References to the scriptures, words of modern-day prophets, documents of the Founding
Fathers, and the seven principles of American Christian education are strongly encouraged. Such
resources help us answer the “So what?” of each of our writing pieces. It is essential to
understand how each piece of literature relates to your life personally and identify truths which
strengthen your testimony. You are also encouraged to use outside resources to support the ideas
presented in your letter.
 Using scripture and the words of the
prophets, write a letter to a character
persuading him/her that he/she would
experience greater happiness if he/she
were spiritually minded rather than
carnally minded.
 Using scripture and the words of the
prophets, write a letter to a character
persuading him/her that he/she is
following an unacceptable tradition of
the culture in which he/she lives.
 Using the documents of our Founding
Fathers, write a letter to a character
convincing him/her that his/her rights of
life, liberty, and property are being
violated.
 Using the principles of American
Christian education, write a letter to a
character explaining how planting the
seed of local self-government would
greatly benefit his/her community.
 Using scripture and the words of
prophets, write a letter to a character
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persuading him/her to display integrity
at all costs.
 Using scripture and words of the
prophet, write a letter to a character
persuading him/her that he/she should
have acted more charitable toward
another character.
 Using scripture and the words of
prophets, write a letter persuading a
character you believe has lost hope or
given up to endure to the end.
 Write a letter to a character persuading
him/her that he/she has an unfair
bias/perception of another character.
 Write a letter to a character persuading
him/her that he/she could have reacted to
a situation in a better way. Outline
specifically what he/she should have
done differently.
 Write a letter to a character persuading
him/her that he/she did not fulfill the
responsibilities he/she should have.
Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Persuasive Letter: Graphic Organizer
Introductory Paragraph: Introduce yourself and/or the situation.
Be positive.
Handle Concerns (e.g. time, cost, fairness, habit, peer pressure).
Reason (least important) with facts, story, or example.
Reason (more important) with facts, story, or example.
Reason (most important) with facts, story, or example.
Conclude. Consider inviting action and expressing confidence and gratitude.
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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Organization of a Persuasive Letter (or Essay)
Beginning (one or more paragraphs)
 Establish a tone that is friendly, honest, and fair. Remember that the goal is for your audience
and you to come together on the issue, not to force yourselves further apart. Demonstrating
honesty and understanding is extremely important. Your audience will readily see through
any trickery or manipulation. Maintain this friendly tone throughout the letter.

Begin by briefly exposing and explaining the problem. Help your audience see that it is a
problem for you. If possible, show your audience that the problem affects him/her as well.

End your first paragraph (or opening section) by stating your stance on the issue. Be sure that
your stance (or thesis statement) is clear, accurate, and defensible. Do not overstate your
position or exaggerate. Add any qualifiers that may be necessary. Explain or define anything
that might be misunderstood by your audience or that he/she might interpret differently from
you.
Middle (three or more paragraphs)
 Establish common ground (the things you agree upon) with your audience. You may want to
do this as a paragraph on its own, or you may choose to incorporate common ground into the
paragraphs where you discuss reasons for your stance.

Show that you understand the reader’s main reasons for his/her point of view. Agree with
your audience when you can, but when you can't agree, tactfully point out some of the flaws
in your audiences' reasons. I suggest devoting at least a paragraph to this and getting it out of
the way before you begin to discuss your own reasons.

One at a time, present your reasons for your stance on the issue. Devote at least a full
paragraph to each of your main reasons. Offer lots of supporting evidence (facts, specific
examples, personal experiences, quotes, expert opinions, etc.). At the same time, anticipate
what your reader’s counterarguments might be and tactfully defend yourself against them.

The best order to place your paragraphs containing your reasons is generally to put your
second-to-best reason first and your best reason last and sandwich your weaker reasons in
between. Your audience will tend to remember best what you said last. So, that's why you
probably will want to end with your best reason.

Remember when presenting your reasons that you should not leave any claim unsupported.
Reasons cannot stand on alone. They need to be backed up with evidence.
Ending (one or more short paragraphs)
 Briefly wrap it all up by reminding your audience of your stance and a few of your key
points. Don't repeat everything. Keep it very brief. Be sure it is consistent with what you
have said in other parts of the paper.
 Remember to maintain that same friendly, honest, and fair tone that you should have been
using all throughout the letter.
 In your last sentence it is sometimes a good idea to make one last emotional appeal to your
audience. You may want to remind your audience why the topic is important. Perhaps, you
may want to warn (not threaten) your audience about the natural consequences of not
changing his/her view. Or, you may want to emphasize the benefits of changing. (Don't
exaggerate these negative or positive consequences. Remember: friendly, honest, and fair.)
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Sample Persuasive Essays
-
Read “To Fathers in Israel” by President Ezra Taft Benson. What is President Benson
trying to persuade men to do?
Read “The Honored Place of Women” by Elder Ezra Taft Benson. What is President
Benson trying to persuade men to do?
Read “Of Regrets and Resolutions” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. What is President
Uchtdorf trying to persuade us to do?
Sample Persuasive Letter
-
See sample format and letter below.
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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
(FRIENDLY LETTER FORMAT)
Place (optional)
Today’s Date
Dear Jane,
Lindon, Utah
September 30, 2013
Comma
Double-Space
In your introductory paragraph, explain who you are. Be friendly, honest, and fair.
Begin by briefly exposing and explaining the problem. Help your audience see that it is a
problem for you. If possible, show your audience that the problem affects him/her as
well. End your first paragraph by stating your stance on the issue. Be sure that your
stance is clear, accurate, and defensible. Do not overstate your position or exaggerate.
Add any qualifiers that may be necessary. Explain or define anything that might be
misunderstood by your audience or that he/she might interpret differently from you.
In your body paragraphs, establish common ground (the things you agree upon)
Single-space with your audience. You may want to do this as a paragraph of its own, or you may
between
choose to incorporate common ground into the paragraphs where you discuss reasons for
paragraphs your stance.
Show that you understand the audience's main reasons for his/her point of view.
Indent
Agree with your audience when you can, but when you can't agree, tactfully point out
some of the flaws in your audiences' reasons. I suggest devoting at least a paragraph to
this and getting it out of the way before you begin to discuss your own reasons.
One at a time, present your reasons for your stance on the issue. Devote at least a
full paragraph to each of your main reasons. Offer a lot of supporting evidence (facts,
specific examples, personal experiences, quotes, expert opinions, etc.). At the same time,
anticipate what your audience's counterarguments might be and tactfully defend yourself
against them.
The best order to place your paragraphs containing your reasons is generally to
put your second-to-best reason first and your best reason last and sandwich your weaker
reasons in between. Your audience will tend to remember best what you said last. So,
that's why you probably will want to end with your best reason.
Remember when presenting your reasons that you should not leave any claim
unsupported. Reasons cannot stand on their own. They need to be backed up with
evidence.
Briefly wrap it all up by reminding your audience of your stance and a few of your
key points. Don't repeat everything. Keep it very brief. Be sure it is consistent with what
you have said in other parts of the paper. Remember to maintain that same friendly, honest,
and fair tone that you should have been using all throughout the speech. In your last
sentence it is sometimes a good idea to make one last emotional appeal to your audience.
You may want to remind your audience why the topic is important. Perhaps, you may want
to warn (not threaten) your audience about the natural consequences of not changing
his/her view. Or, you may want to emphasize the benefits of changing. (Don't exaggerate
these negative or positive consequences. Remember: friendly, honest, and fair.)
Complimentary
Close, Centered
Readable Signature
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Sincerely,
Mr. L. Anderson
Double-Space
Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
American Fork, Utah
January 23, 3010
Dear Laman and Lemuel,
Clearly state your position
Let me begin by introducing myself as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Introduce Latter-day Saints. This is the same church your family belonged to and your father served
as a prophet. While you lived about six hundred years before the birth of Christ, I live
yourself
and your 2000 years after His coming. I know of your family’s struggle to flee Jerusalem and come
situation
to the promised land. You might ask yourself how it is possible that I know of such
things. It is only because of the preservation of the brass plates by your brother Nephi. I
have read this account many times and have come to the conclusion that both of you
should have been more supportive of your father Lehi’s decision to flee Jerusalem.
I know that it must have been difficult to leave your friends and associates behind. I
Establish
common much sense. I understand your hesitancy in this situation and yet I think you could have
reacted better because the guidance of the Lord often led your family.
ground
The first complaint against your father was that he was requiring you to do a hard
thing (not only in leaving Jerusalem, but also in returning to get the plates from Laban).
However, your father pointed out an important principle: “I have not required it of them,
but it is a commandment of the Lord” (1 Nephi 3:5). Your father expressed great faith
that when the Lord gives His children commandments, He also provides a way for them
to follow them. Your father wasn’t promoting his personal agenda, only acting as a
3 reasons humble servant who had submitted his will to that of our Heavenly Father. In my own
life, I have also been asked to do hard things; however, the Lord has provided me comfort
for your
and ultimately success as I willingly did his will.
position;
strongest
Another reason for your not wanting to follow your father into the wilderness was
saved for because he was a “visionary” man. Both he and I agree with you! At the time your
last
mother was worried about the safe return of her boys; your father responded by saying, “I
know that I am a visionary man.; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I
should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had
perished with my brethren” (1 Nephi 5:4). Although you were not able to see the same
vision as your father, I imagine he had previously had visions and led you in the correct
paths. As a prophet of God, he was entitled to such blessings.
I believe that if you should have developed greater faith in the Lord’s ability to help
you before hard times came your way. Returning to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates
must have been a frightening experience. However, if these plates hadn’t been preserved,
they would have been lost in the destruction of Jerusalem. I am personally indebted to
your father’s wisdom as he made sure that the plates were preserved. Just as he
prophesied: “It is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may
preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; and also that we may preserve
unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets” (1
Nephi 3:19-20).These volumes of scripture are invaluable to the members of the Church
today. As a full-time missionary, I had the opportunity to share these scriptures with
those who never knew such a record existed.
In conclusion, I believe that both of you should have been more supportive and
trusting of your father’s decision to flee Jerusalem. He ultimately saved your lives as the
city was destroyed. Your lack of faith made it difficult for you to willingly follow the
commandments outlined by your father, a visionary man. While I can view the situation
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Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
in hindsight and see the weaknesses which led to your complaints, I also know that you
were visited by angels of God on several occasions and still not completely converted to
the gospel. Your pride and selfishness led to your unwillingness to do what was required
of the Lord. However, I know the Lord is merciful and allows us to continue to progress
in degrees. I hope that now that so much time has passed, you can see the things of God
“as they really are” and receive forgiveness for your hard heartedness. Experiencing a
mighty change of heart and being born again is ultimately the way we can become new
creatures with no more disposition to do evil.
Conclusion briefly wraps up ideas
& shows the benefits of change
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Sincerely,
Laura Scholl
Try to
keep the
tone
friendly,
yet firm
Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter
Scoring Guide for a Persuasive Letter
Your paper will be evaluated on each of the “Traits of Effective Writing” using a 5-point
scale:
Goes beyond expectations. An exemplary performance.
5
4
A good performance. Any weaknesses are minor.
3
An adequate performance. Has some serious weaknesses, but not enough to be below
the basic standard.
Below standard performance. Problems are severe enough that the paper is not
acceptable as is. Needs revision.
You have misunderstood or ignored the basic requirements. No credit without
revision.
2
1
The assignment is worth 100 points, and your score on the paper will be the percentage of the
above points you earn. Categories 1-6 are worth 15 points. This will be calculated by taking the
points earned (1-5) and multiplying times three. Category 7 is worth 10 points. This will be
calculated by taking the points earned (1-5) and multiplying times two.
1. Ideas and
Information





2. Organization


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
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
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You convey a clear and effective purpose.
You establish areas of agreement (common ground) with
your reader, and you carefully consider and respond to
your reader’s main arguments.
You demonstrate thinking that is clear, meaningful,
adequate to the purpose, and fair.
You support all of your own reasons with convincing
evidence
The writing does not just scratch the surface of a topic, but
has depth and completeness.
___ x 3
Ideas are placed into paragraphs.
You follow either a business letter format or a friendly
letter format depending upon which is most appropriate to
your audience.
The transitions between sentences and paragraphs should
be smooth and effective.
Your opening paragraph tactfully and effectively explains
the issue and invites the reader to accept your stance or
solution.
You offer at least three significant reasons to support your
stance, and you devote at least a full paragraph to each of
these reasons.
Your ending paragraph re-emphasizes your stance or
solution and ends with an effective appeal to the reader to
accept your view.
___ x 3
/15
/15
Advance Writing—Persuasive Letter

3. Voice

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4. Word Choice

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5. Smooth,
Well-crafted
Sentences
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6. Conventions
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7. Presentation
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TOTAL
POINTS
EARNED:
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Your tone throughout the letter should be friendly, fair,
honest, and tactful.
Whether you should sound formal or informal depends
upon whether you are writing the letter to someone you
know or to someone you do not know.
It is evident the writer sincerely cares about the topic and
audience.
The letter has the clear imprint of the writer. It is
expressive and engaging.
___ x 3
Words are selected to fit meaning, not just to impress.
Vague words and overused expressions are avoided.
You use words with precision. They words you have
chosen are the best possible for the meaning you want to
convey.
You avoid slanted words which reveal a personal bias.
You are careful to stay in control of your emotions.
Many phrases seem fresh and original. The reader gets the
impression that nobody has said it exactly like this before.
___ x 3
Each sentence is well-constructed.
The writing flows smoothly and clearly from one sentence
to the next.
Sentences vary in length and don’t all begin in the same
way.
The sentences should not seem choppy and disconnected,
nor should they ramble (or run on) without a sense of
direction, order, or closure.
___ x 3
Carefully edited for clarity, brevity, usage, and mechanics.
Clarity means that the meaning is clear.
Brevity means that it is not wordy or repetitive.
Usage refers to acceptable language, word choice, and
grammar.
Mechanics means appropriate punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization.
___ x 3
Satisfies all length requirements (minimum of 300 words)
Typed on word processor, scoring guide attached, etc.
Font, margins, and spacing make the paper neat and
readable.
Any graphics used (optional) aid the reader.
___ x 2
/15
/15
/15
/15
/10
Comments:
/100