letter writing can be an effective way to communicate with legislators

APA is preferred, but will accept MLA for the assignment. Resources that will help: http://www.easybib.com/ or https://www.zotero.org/

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/apa-paper-format-TC010076323.aspx

Letter writing can be an effective way to communicate with legislators. Communicating your concerns, stances, or opinions about issues can help mold legislation that affects you. Essentially, your letter helps your representatives understand your perspective about various issues and that you are monitoring his/her activities on that issue.

The purpose of this project is for you to research current legislation or a topic that is of interest to you. First, you will research the bill of interest identifying the bill number and contents. You will then draft a letter/e-mail to your congressperson, state representative, governor, mayor, City Council Member asking for his/her support or opposition to the bill. Your letter/e-mail should be written in a professional manner.

The following guidelines apply:

• Your letter should be addressed to the member of congress who represents your district (open with the proper salutation). Note which congressional district you reside. Always address the letter as:
  

  Honorable State Representative (or Senator) XXX
  
  State House
  
  State Capitol

• Dear Representative XXX or Dear Senator XXX

• Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. Do not state that you are writing the letter to fulfill a class requirement, as you want your letter to be taken seriously. Focus on one issue; do not ramble.
• Always ask your representative to clarify his/her role on the issue you are discussing; this will encourage him/her to reply to your letter.
• Identify the bill by its correct bill number. Note if he/she is a sponsor of said bill.
• State in two or three paragraphs why this bill is of interest to you and why you are asking for their support or opposition to the bill.
• Make sure you submit at least 500 words. Stating that this is a course assignment is not an acceptable reason for writing the letter/e-mail. If you decide to send the letter, thank him/her for their attention to this matter and state that you are looking forward to their reply.

The following websites may help you:

• Library of Congress: Thomas
• The United States House of Representatives
• United States Senate
• C-Span
• Congress.org
• flhouse.gov
• flsenate.gov