Letter

Background: We have examined persuasive strategies, notably in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” We have also discussed several other pieces of literature. 
 
Task: Select one of the following writers and pieces of writing to focus your letter on. In your letter, your goal is to persuade the writer to come to speak to our class about their piece of writing. You must consider the various concerns or objections that the writer might have about doing so, and you need to convince the writer why they should take the time to travel to Adelphi University and speak specifically to our class. You can choose from the following writers and pieces:
 
• “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden
• “A Drugstore in Winter” by Cynthia Ozick
• They Say/I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein 
 
Format: Your essay should have an introduction, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
 
Introduction: Your introduction must provide context to the conversation. Explain why you are inviting the writer to our class. You must, of course, include the piece of writing you are asking them to come speak to the class about. Your thesis statement must identify your main arguments.   
 
Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that conveys the specific sub-argument you will discuss in that corresponding body paragraph. Present claims about the topic. Use the piece of writing as evidence. You also must conduct research and incorporate evidence from at least one outside reputable source into the paper. The source needs to come from a library database, and the source cannot be one that we have discussed in class. You also must include a counterpoint paragraph in the body of the essay. Consider the hesitations and/or concerns the writer might have about coming to speak to our class. Address those hesitations and/or concerns. 
 
Conclusion: Do not simply restate your thesis. Instead, offer a convincing final paragraph to motivate the writer to come speak to our class. Consider what benefits such a presentation could offer to both our class and to the speaker themself and their work. 
 
Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the task requirements, this paper must be typed, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman font size 12. Maintain 1” margins throughout the paper. You can use first, second, and third person in this essay, and the paper must be at least three full pages long. You must use the correct heading, which is posted on Moodle. Use the MLA heading for this assignment. Also, use MLA style for in-text citations and the Works Cited page. Please note that the Works Cited page does not count toward the three-page minimum. The paper also must include a counterpoint paragraph in the body, and you must include at least one outside reputable source from the library databases in the essay’s body as well.