LESSON THREE: Examining Letters to the Editor

 

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Students write letters to the editor on an issue of their choice.

 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

W2F       In composing text, use active voice.

 

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Sources of literature

o        None

 

§         Supplies

o        Newspaper, magazine, or textbook examples of letters to the editor

 

§         Handouts provided

o        Sample letters to the editor

o        Letter to the Editor Instructions and Scoring Guide

 

§         Words to know

o        active voice

 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Using the instructions provided, draft a letter of the editor on a student-selected issue.  Students may choose where this letter is to be published (i.e., local newspaper, national newspaper, or a particular magazine).  Remind students to use active voice whenever possible.  Scoring guide provided.

 

Suggestion

 

For this unit, students may search for and select their own sample letters to the editor.  If so, this lesson may be completed in a computer lab.

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 

Ideas

This activity can accompany persuasive writing instruction.

 

1.  Give students sample letters to the editor found in textbooks or from other sources.  Review with students the use of active and passive voice.

 

Questions

for

Students

What is the purpose of a letter to the editor?

What current topics would warrant a letter to the editor?

 

2.  The teacher will write a letter to the editor or use examples of one on the overhead following student recommendations in its creation or evaluation.

 

Questions

for

Students

 

What topics would be considered appropriate or inappropriate for letters to the editor?

In what way could writing a letter to the editor affect your job as a…

a.        teacher

b.       business owner

c.        politician

What other jobs could writing a letter to the editor have a positive and/or negative impact upon?

 

3.  Review the provided Letter to the Editor Instructions and Scoring Guide which can be used to design or evaluate an already existing letter to the editor.

 

Strategy

 

Active voice can be reviewed using the letter on the overhead or through the writing text of your choice.

Modeling could be in the form of a handout or could be completed in a computer lab on a smart board or on a computer projector.

The teacher could find one effective and one ineffective letter and have students contrast.

The teacher could compare a letter to the editor and a persuasive essay.