ENGLISH and PERSUASION English 3103-3 Scored Activity 3 Date: Signature of the evaluator: Score: /100 IDENTIFICATION Name: Address: Email: Telephone: Sent on (date):
Project Manager: Paul Fournier Writer: Heather Davis Content Editor: Susan Power Copy Editors : Keith Boeckner, Joan Polfuss Boeckner Graphic Design: Hélène Meunier SOFAD (Société de formation à distance des commissions scolaires du Québec) All rights for translation and adaptation, in whole or in part, reserved for all countries. Any reproduction by mechanical or electronic means is forbidden without the express written consent of a duly authorized representative of the SOFAD. Notwithstanding the above, reproduction is authorized solely for use by owners of the English and Persuasion learning guide. This work is funded in part by the Ministère de l Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec and by the Canada-Quebec Agreement on Minority Language Education and Second Language Instruction.
Scored Activity 3 Complete this activity after you have finished Learning Situation 6 in your guide. It is recommended that you obtain an average mark of at least 60% in order to write the final exam. Instructions Fill out the section titled identification. You may consult your course notes and an English-only dictionary. Give this evaluation activity to your teacher if you are taking the course at an adult education centre or send it to your tutor if you are taking a distance course. We recommend that you keep a photocopy of your work, just to be safe. When you receive your corrected copy, read your teacher s or tutor s comments carefully. If you have any questions, don t hesitate to write or telephone him or her. SOFAD 3
ENG-3103-3 English and Persuasion Presentation of Scored Activity 3 Evaluation of competency: Produces texts for personal and social purposes (C3) Broad Areas of Learning Subject Area Family of Situations Course Program Goal Authorized materials Evaluation tool Time allotted Media Literacy Languages Seeking and imparting information Developing and supporting a stance English and Persuasion English Language Arts Write a formal letter of complaint English-only dictionary Course notes Evaluation: Criterion-referenced rubrics Excellent Very Good Good Weak Very Weak 90 minutes Assessment: 60% overall = Pass Retakes: The adult learner must retake each part of the examination separately. This part satisfies the written requirement of the course in which the adult is prompted to write a formal letter of complaint responding to [an] ad [ ]. The writing of a letter of complaint requires the careful deliberation of words while using the standard textual elements. This task demonstrates the adult s ability to take a stance and formulate a convincing and cohesive letter of complaint. The letter must be in the business letter format (approximately 300 words). Source: English Language Arts: Definition of the Evaluation Domain (DED) for Certification and Recognition. When adult learners write a letter of complaint, they use formal, concise language. In addition, they use a style that is appropriate to a formal letter of complaint. In other words, they use formal punctuation, include all required business letter parts (date, sender s name and address, inside address, formal salutation, body of letter, formal closing, typed signature, and written signature and/or identification initials), and present this information in a suitable order, using a layout such as full block, block, or semi-block. They organize their text so as to achieve clarity and economy of style. Adult learners begin their letter with a clear identification of the subject of the complaint, such as inaccurate or incomplete public information, or an objectionable comment, decision, or policy. They then provide accurate, precise background information (e.g. who did what when) and specify in detail the exact nature of their complaint. In the second paragraph, they conclude their letter with a statement of the corrective action they desire or a statement regarding the seriousness of the subject of their complaint. Source: English Language Arts: Program of Study 4 SOFAD
Scored Activity 3 Evaluation Content 3.1 Effective organization of texts to communicate 3.2 Appropriate adaptation of language for audience and purpose 3.3 Appropriate use of structures, features, codes and conventions of texts 3.4 Correct application of language conventions (usage and mechanics) Communication of stance, ideas, opinions, and solutions in a clear, convincing, and organized manner Use of language suitable to the context and audience Use of textual features and structures of letters of complaint Use of grammar and mechanics of standard English Task: To write a formal letter of complaint in response to an offensive ad Instructions: Permitted materials: an English-only dictionary Allotted time: 90 minutes Recommended use of time: read instructions carefully (5 min) analyze advertisement (15 min) organize information for letter of complaint in template (20 min) write rough draft (30 min) edit and proofread (20 min) SOFAD 5
ENG-3103-3 English and Persuasion Your task is to respond to an offensive advertisement by writing a convincing and cohesive letter of complaint. Begin by taking a look at the advertisement and deciding what is offensive about it. Then gather information for your letter in a template. Finally, write and edit your letter of complaint. Imagine you are flipping through the pages of a magazine when you see this ad. You have seen offensive ads before, but today you find it just too much. You decide to write a letter of complaint to the magazine. Since you are a subscriber and faithful reader, you hope they will pay attention to your opinion. Of course, your letter must be convincing. Look at the ad below and analyze it using the questions that follow. The drinking man drinks responsibly. 2013 Dewar s and white label are trademarks, imported by John Dewar and sons company, Coral Gables, FL. Blended scotch whisky - 40% alc. by vol. dewars.com Answer 3 of the following questions to clarify your response to the ad. a) Who is the target audience for this ad? b) Why is there a woman in the ad if the text says Dewar s is a scotch for the drinking man? c) Who do you think this woman is? A wife? A mother? A girlfriend? What makes you think so? d) Describe how the woman is dressed. e) Describe the woman s body language. f) What is the implicit message in this ad? g) What do you think the social impact is of ads that show images of attractive young men and women? h) Does this ad reinforce sexual or racial stereotypes? 6 SOFAD
Scored Activity 3 Question # Question # Question # SOFAD 7
ENG-3103-3 English and Persuasion Gather and organize important information using this planning tool. What is the address? Who are you writing to? Bluewave Magazine 3558 Dorval Blvd. Dorval, Quebec H4Y 1G4 Clara Jameson, Editor What are you writing to complain about? Give a brief description of your complaint including specific details. What corrective action do you want? (i.e. What will make you happy?) What is an acceptable time limit for the resolution of the problem? What persuasive techniques can you use? (e.g. emotional appeal, appeal to authority) H int Complaint letters with the following features tend to produce better results. Short and to the point Shorter letters are understood and processed more quickly than longer letters. Authoritative manner Letters that are well written, carry a tone of authority, and are professionally presented have more credibility and are taken more seriously. Factual statements Be sure to include the relevant details, such as dates, requirements, and what you desire in order to resolve the complaint. Constructive criticism and suggestions Letters with positive statements and those suggesting positive actions may encourage action, resolution, and quicker decisions. Friendly tone Letters with a considerate, cooperative, and complimentary tone tend to be prioritized and make the reader of the letter want to help. 8 SOFAD
Scored Activity 3 Write your letter of complaint. Say what happened, how you feel about it, and what action you expect from the person receiving the letter or email. Your letter should be approximately 300 words and include all the elements of a letter of complaint. SOFAD 9
ENG-3103-3 English and Persuasion H int Elements of Letters of Complaint Introduction and positive opening comment Description of problem with supporting details (facts) If useful, you can add: Emotional appeal How has this problem or issue affected you personally? If useful, you can add: Appeal to authority Who in a position of power agrees with you or supports your complaint? Corrective action State what you would like the person you are contacting to do about your complaint. What resolution would you like in the end? Time frame Use a politely worded sentence that states how long you are willing to wait to hear back from the person contacted. Use of concluding words or summary statements Begin to close your letter or email by using concluding words and a restatement of your complaint. Examples of phrases I am writing to you regarding I am writing to complain about Last week, I was The service was On June 17th, I called/visited The price estimate that they gave me was As you can appreciate, this problem has affected me in several ways, such as Consequently, I feel that As a result, I have experienced I am upset because I have spoken to an expert, and I have spoken to a manager, and I have it on good authority that I would appreciate it if I would be grateful if you could I hope we can come to some sort of resolution, such as I hope to hear back from you shortly. You can reach me at Given the situation, I expect a reply in a week Therefore, I feel that In the end, I would like After everything that has happened, I think 10 SOFAD
Scored Activity 3 Reread your letter and edit it using the following checklist. Editing Checklist Replace slang and rude or informal language with formal and polite alternatives. Organize information into paragraphs. Use transition words to link ideas and sentences. Combine simple sentences to make compound and/or complex ones. Use capital letters for names of people, places, and languages. Check that all sentences have correct punctuation. Verify that all sentences are complete. Cut unnecessary words and irrelevant details. Evaluation Grid In this scored activity, adult learners produce a letter of complaint. The adult learner takes a stance and formulates a convincing and cohesive letter of complaint, in which he or she: Very weak Weak Good Very good Excellent Content begins by clearly identifying the reason for the complaint provides accurate, precise background information (e.g. who did what when) and specifies in detail the exact nature of the complaint concludes the letter with a statement of the desired corrective action, or a statement regarding the seriousness of the subject of the complaint Organization includes all required business letter parts in a suitable order organizes the text so as to achieve clarity and economy of style respects the length (approximately 300 words) Writing uses formal, concise language and register suitable to text type and target audience uses formal punctuation uses a style that is appropriate to a formal letter of complaint uses correct syntax, grammar, and spelling 0-20 26 32 36 40 0-15 20 24 27 30 0-15 20 24 27 30 Other comments/observations: Total out of 100: X 0.4 = /40 SOFAD 11
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