Assignment:

The Session Long Project entails going through the process of influencing policymakers. In prior SLP assignments you wrote a letter to “raise a concern” and “oppose a position” or “support a position.” While these are direct ways of influencing policymakers by letter writing, there are additional indirect ways that can also achieve your objectives. Some ways are writing a letter to the editor or “Op-Eds.”

Make sure to review the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council “Writing Op-Eds and letters to the editor” page to help you complete this assignment.

Part 1:

1. Choose any topic that is related to the category stated in SLP 1.
2. Pick a local newspaper to write to (you can use your hometown paper if you desire). Provide the name of the newspaper and the city.
3. Write a one-page letter to the editor.

Part 2:

1. Write one page of text on tips for writing a letter to the editor.
2. What are some advantages of writing a letter to the editor compared to the letters from prior SLP assignments?

Expectations: Recap: Your assignment should consist of: A one-page letter to the editor and one page on tips/advantages for writing a letter to the editor.

Length: 2 pages. 3 cited sources from required reading.

Required Reading

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2011). Gateway to health communication & social marketing. Risk communication. Retrieved on August 1, 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/risks/index.html

Melanson, M. A., Geckle, L. S., & Davidson, B. A. (2012). Risky business: Challenges and successes in military radiation risk communication. U. S. Army Medical Department Journal, July-September, 82-87. (Use “Academic Search Complete” search engine in the Library Portal)

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). (2017). Areas of responsibility for health education specialist 2015. Retrieved from https://www.nchec.org/assets/2251/hespa_competencies.pdf

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. (2016). Advocacy toolbox. Retrieved from https://orc.okstate.edu/content/advocacy-toolbox

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. (2016). Writing Op-Eds and letters to the editor. Retrieved from https://orc.okstate.edu/content/writing-op-eds-and-letters-editor

Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). (2017). Health education specialist. Retrieved from http://www.sophe.org/careers/health-education-profession