Write two letters about two different topics to two different VIPS (local, regional, or federal government
officials, press, or other decision makers). The letters should be in a formal letter format. The topic of
each letter will be an environmental problem of your choice, that you care about, and have researched in
detail. The letters aim to both inform and provoke change.
BOTH LETTERS COMBINED MUST BE AT LEAST 1,250 WORDS LONG
Letter Assignment Grading Rubric
Criteria Pts
Letter One:
Formal letter format 1.0
Appropriate topic: Student has selected an environmental problem to address, problem may
be local, regional, or global
1.0
Effectively informs reader of the topic: Student has clearly researched the topic in detail and
is effective at describing and summarizing the environmental problem
2.0
Sources: a minimum of two outside sources 2.0
Provokes change: letter is persuasive and proposes a solution to help correspondent make
informed choices
2.0
Grammar and Spelling 1.0
Letter Two:
Formal letter format 1.0
Appropriate topic: Student has selected an environmental problem to address, problem may
be local, regional, or global
1.0
Effectively informs reader of the topic: Student has clearly researched the topic in detail and
is effective at describing and summarizing the environmental problem
2.0
Sources: a minimum of two outside sources 2.0
Provokes change: letter is persuasive and proposes a solution to help correspondent make
informed choices
2.0
Grammar and Spelling 1.0
Both Letters
Meets length requirement: Both letters combined must be at least 1,250 words long. 2.0
Total Points: 20.0
