Your assignment is to write an advocacy letter addressing the topic of trafficking and smuggling of migrants. Your letter should argue in support of ONE of the approaches to this issue outlined in the module, either the view in Part A or the view in Part B, or perhaps you might suggest an alternative solution. Form an opinion, support it with research, and identify a potential audience (a politician or public figure). You did not need to send the letter, and it does not matter which stance you take. Your letter will be evaluated on how clearly you state your viewpoint and how well you support your views with scholarly research.
Your letter should be approximately 1000-1200 words and should:
- Advocate for a specific issue with clear and direct action
- Establish your expertise (from research or personal experience)
- Support your position with evidence (cite at least 3 scholarly sources)
- NOTE: Your scholarly sources CANNOT include course materials, newspaper, nor encyclopedia articles.
TIPS!!
Refer to ESC Library guide/video on “How do I find a scholarly or peer-reviewed article?”
Refer to the following sites for more information on how to write an effective advocacy letter.
- Tips on writing to your elected officials (from the ACLU)
- How to write a letter or email (from the American Psychological Association)
- Advocacy Letters: An Invitation (by Emily Yates-Doerr)
General Instructions for Written Assignments
Your written assignment is intended to test your understanding of important concepts and to sharpen your intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. The intent of the written assignment is to provide an opportunity to more fully describe, explain, and analyze the books and other sources. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question. Throughout this course, these resources will enable you to successfully complete written assignments:
- Empire State College’s Online Library – designed to allow students to search through a well-rounded collection of e-books, videos, online journals, reference resources and databases. Librarians also provide workshops and services via email, phone, chat and the Web.
- Empire State College’s Online Writing Center– designed to help students quickly and easily find the services and resources they need to become successful, independent writers.
Please read the SUNY Empire State College statement on Academic Integrity before submitting any work for this course. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question.
