EMAIL ADDRESS, REFERENCE, AND SALUTATION
To: you will be given an email address
From: your pdsdstudents email
Re: your chosen issue (SUBJECT HEADING)
Dear: name of recipient(SALUTATION)
EMAIL CONTENT
Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself, state the main reason for writing, and present a call to action.
Paragraph 2: First reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 3: Second reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 4: Third reason with supporting details and examples, etc.
Paragraph 5: Restate main reason for writing, make a final appeal and thank reader for time.
I am a ninth grade student at Renwood High School in Anchorage, Alaska. I wanted to contact you regarding your sponsorship of the Iditarod. Many people view this race as a source of pride in my state, but I urge you to see the other side. There are many shameful violations of animal rights before and during the race that result in injury and death. I ask you to please end your organization's support of this event. (PROBLEM AND CALL TO ACTION)
One reason to reconsider your sponsorship of this race is that terrible things happen to dogs during the Iditarod. This includes death, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, frostbite, bleeding ulcers, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, kennel cough, broken bones, torn muscles and extreme stress. At least 142 dogs have died in the race, including four dogs who froze to death in the brutal cold. (REASON AND DETAILS)
In addition, many dogs endure brutal training during their training for the Iditarod. Jeanne Olson, who has been practicing veterinary medicine in Alaska since 1988, confirmed the brutality used by mushers training dogs for the Iditarod. She talked about dogs having cracked ribs, broken jaws or skulls from mushers using two-by-fours as a punishment enforcer. Also, mushers believe in "culling" or killing unwanted dogs, including puppies. Dogs who are permanently disabled in the Iditarod, or who are unwanted for any reason, are killed with a shot to the head. Dogs are skinned for their fur, which is then used on mittens and parkas.(REASON AND DETAILS)
Even veterinarians who are supposed to care for dogs have been associated with the race’s cruelty. In the 2012 race, one of Lance Mackey's male dogs ripped out all of his 16 toenails trying to get to a female who was in heat. This type of broken toenail is extremely painful. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod winner, said he was too stubborn to leave this dog at a checkpoint and veterinarians allowed Mackey to continue to race him. Imagine the agony the dog was forced to endure. (REASON AND DETAILS OR COUNTERARGUMENT)
Man’s best friend should not be enslaved and savaged for sport. Please visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website at to see pictures and for more information. It is time to end your organization's association with this horrific race. Thank you for your time and consideration(A THANK YOU)
Sincerely,(CLOSING)
Sheila Watson (YOUR NAME AND TITLE)
Eighth-grade Student
Northley Middle School
EMAIL WRITING CAMPAIGN
Advocacy: the act of supporting or recommending a cause or policy. Letter writing is an effective means of advocating to state officials and various other people who are in a position to affect change.
TASK: After discussingour four animal rights topics, select an issue and write an email draft in Google Classroom. Your choices are below: the action, recipient, and email address.
1.Puppy Mills
Action:
I urge you to support RepresentativeOrtitay’s proposed Puppy Mill Bill
Email:
Thomas H. Killion
State Senator for Pennsylvania district 9
2. Animal Testing
Action:
I urge you to cosponsor the Humane Cosmetics Act to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics manufactured or sold in the U.S.
Email:
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator (D-PA)
3. Factory Farms
Action:
I ask you to oppose H.R. 3599 and H.R. 4879, the “Protect Interstate Commerce Act.” This bill will make it easier for factory farms to operate across the country and more challenging for states to regulate them.
Email:
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator (D-PA)
4. Orcas in Captivity:
Action:
I urge you to make the humane decision to move captive orcas to transitional coastal and wildlife sanctuaries.
Email:
Travis Claytor
Director,Corporate Communications
DOMAIN WRITING RUBRIC (40 POINTS):
4 RANGE– 36-40 (90-100)
3 RANGE - 32 – 35 (82-87)
2 RANGE - 28 -31(70 -77 )
1 RANGE - 67 AND BELOW
SKILLS:
Clearly stated claim
Adequate and well-organized support for claim (3 body paragraphs)
Concise and formal expression
Grammar (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure)