Letter to the Editor Instructions
Why
Letters to the editor (LTE) are an effective way to educate the community about issues that are important to you as a professional social worker. As soon-to-be doctoral-level practitioners, it is important to understand how LTEs enable you to educate the general public on social issues, influence elected officials and/or policymakers, inform public policy, or publicize the work of specific groups or organizations.
What
For this assignment, select a forum (i.e., newspaper, print magazine, electronic magazine, website, scholarly journal) where you’d like to submit your LTE. Research the specific guidelines the organization may have (i.e., word count limits, font, formatting, etc.).
Following the guidelines of the forum you selected write a LTE to educate the public and/or influence public policy or legislators about the social problem and/or policy you selected at the start of the semester. Be sure to describe and frame the social issue and the policy you are addressing, along with any necessary background information to educate the audience.
On the title page, list the forum’s name and the submission point of contact or submission department email address and outline the specific guidelines for LTEs (i.e., page number or word count, font size, spacing, and any other formatting guidelines) in the assignment. You may copy and paste this information directly from the website or summarize it.
Be sure to cite sources when incorporating research, terms, ideas, data, or information that is not your own. References should also be included according to the platform’s guidelines.
In the body of your LTE, be sure to use outside sources, including experts, scholarly articles, relevant, unbiased print media, and/or personal communication (which experts, the general public, lawmakers, stakeholders, etc), as appropriate, to support a central idea or argument.
Although this LTE is part of your Advocacy Strategies assignment, here you will turn in only the LTE, as a stand-alone document.
How
Submit your finalized LTE in Canvas. Learners are encouraged to submit LTE for publication; however, this is not a requirement.
For additional resources and examples, see the links below:
Social Work Month Letter to the Editor Writing CampaignLinks to an external site.
Write About the Social Work ProfessionLinks to an external site.
Social Work Today: Letter to the EditorLinks to an external site.
Tribune-Review: Letter to the editor-Recognizing Social WorkersLinks to an external site.
SWHelper: Letter to the Editor-A Social Worker’s Thoughts on the Killing of Michael BrownLinks to an external site.
Grading Guidelines
This assignment will be graded according to the rubric below and is worth 10% of the Advocacy Strategies Paper.
DUE DATE
Submit your assignment by 11:59 PM on Sunday of Module 12.
Rubric
SW864-201 Letter to the Editor – 2024
SW864-201 Letter to the Editor – 2024
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
Paper is well-organized
• An introduction clearly describes the topic.
• Body of paper relates directly to the topic described in the title
and introduction.
• Conclusion makes connections between content areas and
describes the relevance of presented evidence to the overall
topic.
• APA headings are used appropriately.
• Paragraphs are focused on one topic.
• Transition phrases and sentences help the reader move
smoothly from one idea to the next.
2 to >1.82 pts
Excellent (100% – 92%)
1.82 to >1.62 pts
Proficient (91% – 82%)
1.62 to >1.38 pts
Emerging (81% – 70%)
1.38 to >0 pts
Needs Significant Attention (69% & below)
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevelopment
Paper reflects careful critical thought and is fully developed.
• Paper sufficiently addresses each topic specified on the
class syllabus/Canvas.
o Writer identifies a specific forum (newspaper, print
magazine, electronic magazine, website, scholarly
journal) and the point of contact or submission
department email address in the assignment Cover Page.
o Write outlines the platform’s or entity’s specific
guidelines for LTEs (i.e., page number or word count,
font size, spacing, and any other formatting guidelines)
in the assignment Cover Page.
o The LTE complies with
the platform’s or entity’s specific guidelines for LTEs.
• Writer defines terms that are key to the central topic.
• Writer develops each new idea or content area with
relevant and specific supporting evidence.
• Writer consistently interprets the relevance of supporting
evidence.
4 to >3.64 pts
Excellent (100% – 92%)
3.64 to >3.24 pts
Proficient (91% – 82%)
3.24 to >2.76 pts
Emerging (81% – 70%)
2.76 to >0 pts
Needs Significant Attention (69% & below)
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClarity
Sentences are clear and coherent
• There are few proofreading errors.
• Sentences are concise and/or easily understood.
• Paper meets page-count requirements.
• Word choice is appropriate and precise.
• Writer uses punctuation and mechanics proficiently.
• Writer uses active voice most of the time.
2 to >1.82 pts
Excellent (100% – 92%)
1.82 to >1.62 pts
Proficient (91% – 82%)
1.62 to >1.38 pts
Emerging (81% – 70%)
1.38 to >0 pts
Needs Significant Attention (69% & below)
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCredibility
Writer uses APA style to cite a variety of credible sources.
• Writer uses outside sources including experts, scholarly
articles, relevant unbiased print media, and personal
experience to support a central idea or argument.
• Writer cites sources when incorporating research, words,
ideas, data, or information that is not their own.
• Paraphrases seem appropriately reworded.
• Writer uses quotation marks for direct quotes.
• In-text citations contain necessary information.
• Reference page is in proper format and corresponds with in-text citations.
2 to >1.82 pts
Excellent (100% – 92%)
1.82 to >1.62 pts
Proficient (91% – 82%)
1.62 to >1.38 pts
Emerging (81% – 70%)
1.38 to >0 pts
Needs Significant Attention (69% & below)
2 pts
Total Points: 10
