Assignment Prompt
Throughout Unit 1, you have read literary and nonfiction works that evokes compassion or empathy in an audience to inspire action or bring about a deeper understanding of the world. You will now apply what you have observed about empathy and write a letter to the editor about an issue as though you are one of the characters from the assigned readings. (You are NOT rewriting the story). Your purpose for writing this letter to the editor is to persuade your audience of your claim and evoke compassion and empathy for your character. For instance, you could write a letter to the editor from Miss Lottie’s perspective on the lack of compassion and respect in society. Click here to read an letter to the editor using this example. Since “Marigolds” is used in the sample paper for this assignment, you are unable to use this story in your paper.
When writing your claim for your letter to the editor, keep in mind that compassion and empathy refer to the feelings you get in response to another’s emotions, suffering, or misfortune combined with a desire to help. Use at least two direct quotes to support your claim. As you write, keep in mind the unit’s essential question: How does human compassion inform our understanding of the world?
the harvest gypsies by john steinback
