Writing a Multi-Paragraph Persuasive Business Letter



Writing a Multi-Paragraph Persuasive Business Letter

Letter Contents and Organization:

Your letter needs to be five short paragraphs in length. Follow this

organizational pattern:

1. First Paragraph: Introduce yourself to your reader. Say who you are, how

old you are, what school you attend. Explain why you are writing. Tell your

reader that you have been studying poetry, and you would like

to express your thoughts and talents. Then state your position on the style of poetry yo have chosen. (This last sentence is your thesis.)

2. Second Paragraph: State your first major reason why your poem should be considered for publication. Back up this opinion with specific examples (in your own words). Share anecdotes (stories that support your opinion). Use quotes; use statistics (cite sources) about other young published writers. Concentrate on word choice. Use rich vocabulary and descriptive writing to appeal to your reader’s emotions.

3. Third Paragraph: After beginning this paragraph with a transitional

phrase, state your second major reason why your poetry should be considered for publication. Back up this opinion with specific examples (in your own

words). Share anecdotes (stories that support your opinion). Use quotes;

use statistics (cite sources) about other young published writers. Concentrate on word choice. Use rich vocabulary and descriptive writing to appeal to your reader’s emotions.

4. Fourth Paragraph: This paragraph is your "rebuttal" or "refutation." It

is your chance to say what your opponents, who is the publisher, believe and why what they say is wrong. Give at least two of your opponents’ beliefs about younger writers, and for each one that you mention, explain why it is an invalid or weak argument. End this short, but powerful paragraph by restating your position on your poetry.

5. Fifth Paragraph: In this last paragraph, make a request. Now that you

have stated your position and made your case, what would you like your reader,

to do? In response to your letter, ask your reader to take some sort of action.

This fifth and final paragraph, like paragraphs one and four, need not be long.

What you need to do, however, is write clearly--with confidence--and waste no words. Be bold!

The Writing Process:

Begin this letter writing process by reviewing all class notes.

Next, pick your audience: The Arizona Tribune? A Parent? A Teacher? Who do you want to write, and what action do you want taken? Use your Write Source book, and this handout to write the first draft of your letter. This first draft is due Monday. Be sure your Write Source book handy as you write. This letter must be typed.

Once you have typed your letter, revised it, and proofread it, find another student who is in the same stage of the writing process, and carefully edit one another’s letter. Look at format (as shown in the Write Source book), organization (the five paragraph structure as outlined on this handout), the content of each one of the five paragraphs, the citing of

sources, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and word choice. What suggestions

can you offer your classmate? How might his/her letter be improved? Offer

helpful advice in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. Then, listen as

your editor does the same for you. Take time to make changes to improve your

writing.

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