Open Letter (noun) :a published letter of protest or appeal, addressed to an individual but intended for the general public |
What is an Open Letter?Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, when people wrote personal letters intended only for the eyes of the recipients, the open letter served as a deliberate and public attempt to protest, influence, or share an opinion on a specific issue. This tradition has grown in popularity during the 21st century, as access to online platforms makes these letters even more publicly accessible and potentially transformative.
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Examples of an Open Letter
An Open Letter to Parents About Vaping
Perry High School S.A.D.D. Organization Bell Schedule PSL Students Gay-Straight Alliance PSL Student Required Courses Teaching Life Skills PSL Students School Spirit PSL Students Standards-Based Grading PSL Students |
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Activity #1
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Activity #2 |
Activity #3 |
Activity #4 |
Activity #5 |
Activity #6 |
Reflect on the strengths and limitations of the current education system, as well as Perry Local Schools.
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Review sample open letters, summarizing the purpose of the letter, and evaluating its strengths and limitations.
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Choose a reform topic you wish to investigate and complete a source analysis document.
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Draft an Open Letter that articulates your suggestion on how to improve Perry Local Schools.
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Participate in a small group workshop, allowing your classmates and teachers to review your letter, and offer insights on its strengths and limitations.
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Share your final letter with your class, and vote on which letter(s) will be shared publicly.
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Rubric
An open letter that is PROFICIENT will....
- include a salutation, directing its contents to the person(s) at Perry Local Schools who are most capable of implementing the change you are seeking.
- acknowledge something the school has done well in the specific reform area.
- describe the problem that your reform addresses
- advocate for a specific, reasonable reform, which must comply with state laws and be supported with evidence
- cite at least two sources to support the existing problem or suggested reform
- maintain a formal style that attends to the norms and conventions expected of a college/career ready 12th grade writer.
An open letter that is ADVANCED will....
- include a salutation, directing its contents to the person(s) at Perry Local Schools who are most capable of implementing the change you are seeking.
- acknowledge something the school has done well in the specific reform area.
- describe the problem that your reform addresses.
- advocate for a specific, reasonable reform, which must comply with state laws and be supported with evidence.
- acknowledge the counterargument, and includes a thoughtful rebuttal.
- cite at least two sources to support the existing problem or suggested reform.
- maintain a formal style that attends to the norms and conventions expected of a college/career ready 12th grade writer.
Click HERE to see the complete rubric for ELA IV/PSL PO #3.
(Famous) Open Letters throughout History
A Soldier's Declaration
Sigfried Sassoon (1917) |