English 100: Life Plan Letter Writing Activity

Instructor

English 100

Home

"Destiny is not a matter of chance;
     it is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for;
     it is a thing to be achieved."
          -- William Jennings Bryan

In the spring of 2002, Robert J. Collins, Superintendent of District C Schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District instituted a controversial policy for all graduating seniors. Any senior who wanted to participate in the graduation ceremony would be required to submit a written plan outlining his/her commitment to post-secondary education or training. Collins' policy set off a debate over students' rights that raged in the media for several weeks.

You have read several articles on this issue. Now it is time to sort out the elements of each argument. For this activity, you will write one of the following letters:

A. from a counselor to a student convincing him/her why it is important to develop a plan for post-secondary education.

B. from a student to the school board convincing it that the District C policy is unjust.

C. from the school principal to the parents convincing them that this policy is in the best interest of the students.

I would encourage you to write a letter that argues against your own point of view. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about your opponents' views which will make you better prepared to argue against them.

Once you have completed your letter, post your letter on the class Bulletin Board. Then read through the other letters that have been posted and write a response to at least on of the letters.