Writing a Persuasive Letter

Sample Letter Format

[Block Format]

August 1, 2008

George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. Bush:

Introduction Paragraph
This paragraph should include background information about the topic, and a clear and
controlling thesis statement. Your thesis statement should cover only what you will
discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence. It should be
stated in a way that gives your opinion about the issue and three supporting reasons.

Thesis Statement Example: The United States government should in order to

1 , 2 , and 3 .

Body Paragraph 1
This paragraph should have a topic sentence based on Reason #1 from your thesis
statement. It should include specific and concrete evidence/support from your research.

Body Paragraph 2
This paragraph should have a topic sentence based on Reason #2 from your thesis
statement. It should include specific and concrete evidence/support from your research.

Body Paragraph 3
This paragraph should have a topic sentence based on Reason #3 from your thesis
statement. It should include specific and concrete evidence/support from your research.

Concluding Paragraph
In this paragraph you should restate the topic and why it is important. Restate your
thesis. Address opposing viewpoints and explain why they should align with your
position. Call for action or future possibilities.

Sincerely,

Chelsea Jones

Chelsea Jones
1200 Ocean Drive
Brigantine, NJ 08203 http://owl.english.purdue.edu
 Introduction
Background information about the topic.
Thesis Statement: includes your opinion/view of the topic and three
[3] reasons why you believe action should be taken.
Each of the three [3] reasons will become a body paragraph – and
each body paragraph should have concrete research evidence to
support claims.

Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3

Topic sentence based Topic sentence based Topic sentence based
on Reason #1 from on Reason #2 from on Reason #3 from
thesis statement thesis statement thesis statement
Evidence/support Evidence/support Evidence/support
from research from research from research

Conclusion
Restate topic and why it is important.
Restate your thesis statement.
Address opposing viewpoints and explain why they should align with
your position.
Call for action or future possibilities.

IN OTHER WORDS,
Tell what you're going to tell them (introduction)  Tell them (body)  Tell them what you told them (conclusion)