How to write or record an Effective Letter
A guide
1. Identify yourself. Be sure to mention your relationship to the person you are writing to—if you are their constituent and live in their district, a member of their congregation, etc.
Example: “My name is Shuri Johnson, and I live off Greenbriar Road in your district. I voted for your last election.”
2. Tell them why you are writing to them. Not just the issue, but what drives you to reach out to them.
Example: “I am a student at Georgia State University, and I’ve worked hard to be ready to graduate this spring. But my student loans are out of control, and I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to pay them back. That’s why student loan debt cancelation is important to me.”
3. Hit them with the facts. Maybe they already know, maybe they don’t—but help them realize the scope of this issue.
Example: “In Georgia alone, 56% of 2020 college graduates completed school with student loan debt, taking on an average of $27,759 per student.”
4. Make a strong ask and stick with it. Ask for a specific, time-bound commitment. An ask needs an answer, so this should be polite but forceful.
Example: “As your constituent, I’d like your support for student loan debt cancelation. Can I count on you to make a public request to cancel at least $50,000 in student debt per borrower?”
5. Point to the positive benefits of your ask. Provide a closing line about how your life, your community, or our state would improve if they took the action you are asking them to take.
Example: “Canceling student loan debt would allow me to save for the future and be able to afford owning my own home and planning for retirement. With my current debt, I can’t do either.”
6. Close with a thank you. Always end with a “thank you,” and you can include any follow up steps that are appropriate.
Example: Thank you for your consideration of this issue, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Sample l4p Letter
by Jada R.
Dear Chairwoman Yolanda Williams,
My name is Jada Richard, I’m a college student, non-profit worker, and proud resident of McDonough, Georgia. In the time that I have lived in Georgia, I have enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery along the roads, the tasty southern food, and the incredible people who live here. I am writing this letter to request that the Planning Commission of McDonough address a major issue along two high traffic, main roads in the city.
Along East and West Mt. Carmel Road and North and South Mill Road, there are very few, if any streetlights along the roads. This lack of lighting is not only dangerous for pedestrians walking in the grass (as there are nearly no sidewalks running down these roads), but drivers like me as well.
I drive an older Honda, and even with brand new headlights, the design of the car does not allow for much light to be shone down the road. This makes visibility extremely difficult at night on these main roads and I fear hitting an animal or a person because there are no overhead streetlights. The scary and dark streets cause other drivers with newer cars to shine their high beam LED lights, effectively blinding drivers like me while going around curves and such.
I am requesting the Planning Commission shine more lights on our beautiful streets by adding 4 streetlights on either side of the road for every 1 mile along Mt. Carmel Road and Mill Road. This will make our streets safer for animals, pedestrians, and drivers.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with your office more on this issue.