Module 7Letter to the Editor
Assignment
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to write a letter to the editor of a journal or newspaper on the policy issue that was the topic of your policy analysis paper (Module 5 assignment).
Course Outcomes
This assignment provides documentation of student’s ability to meet the following course outcomes:
- CO 7: Compare and contrast the roles, skills, and leadership abilities of health policy professionals through the examination of case studies. (POs 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- CO 8: Advocate for local, state, national, and international policies that influence public health. (POs 7, 8)
Requirements & Preparing the Assignment
This assignment will be graded on quality of information, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading rubric.
- Create your paper using Microsoft Word, which is the required format
- Follow the directions and grading criteria closely. Any questions about your assignment may be posted under the Q & A Forum.
- The length of the letter is to be between 10-20 sentences and 200-400 words if writing to a journal; maximum of 200 words if writing to a newspaper.
- APA format is required with both a title page and reference page. Use the required components of the review as Level 1 headings (upper and lower case, centered, boldface).
- Note: Introduction—write an introduction but do not use “Introduction” as a heading in accordance with the rules put forth in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Grading Criteria
CategoryPoints%DescriptionPosition and Novelty5020%State your policy and your position on the policy. Highlight its novelty and present your position as a unique perspective. Describe why your opinion is credible.Critique the merits5020%When critiquing a policy initiative, focus on the underlying assumptions and either agree with them or disagree with them, supporting your position with scholarly evidence.Recommendations5020%Provide one recommendation for the policy and outline the steps needed to promote it. Specify how the recommendation promotes population health.Tone5020%The tone of the letter should be professional, objective, and devoid of language that is demeaning or irrelevant to the argument.Format2510%Letter should be 10-20 sentences and 200 to 400 words, or a maximum of 200 words if writing to a newspaper. Editor is identified and professionally addressed. Student’s contact information is includedClarity of writing156%Use of standard English grammar and sentence structure demonstrating primary referencing and original thought. No spelling errors or typographical errors. Organized around the required components using appropriate headers.APA format104%All information taken from another source, even if summarized, must be appropriately cited in the manuscript and listed in the references using APA format: Document setup Title and reference pages Citations in the text and references.Total250 points100%A quality assignment will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.
Rubric
MPH503_W7_Letter to the Editor AssignmentMPH503_W7_Letter to the Editor AssignmentCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePosition and Novelty50 ptsMeets All CriteriaStates policy and position on the policy. Highlights its novelty and presents your position as a unique perspective43 ptsMeets Most CriteriaStates policy and position on the policy. Highlights its novelty but does not address how your position is a unique perspective.38 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaGeneral presentation of policy, position on the policy, and how your position is a novel or unique perspective.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaGeneral presentation of position and does not describe how your position is a novel or unique perspective.50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritique the Merits50 ptsMeets All CriteriaCritiques the merits of the policy, focusing on the underlying assumptions and either agrees with them or disagrees, providing supporting scholarly evidence for your position.43 ptsMeets Most CriteriaCritiques the merits of the policy, focusing on the underlying assumptions and either agrees with them or disagrees but does not provide supporting scholarly evidence for your position.38 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaProvides general critique of the merits of the policy. Focuses on the underlying assumptions but does not state whether agrees or disagrees with them. Provides supporting non-scholarly evidence for your position.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaProvides general critique of the merits of the policy. Does not relate it to the assumptions nor states whether agrees or disagrees with them. Provides no supporting evidence.50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRecommendations50 ptsMeets All CriteriaProvides one recommendations for the policy and the steps that need to be taken.to promote the recommendation. Specifies how the recommendation promotes population health.43 ptsMeets Most CriteriaProvides one recommendation, but the steps that need to be taken to promote the recommendation are not thoroughly given. How the recommendation promotes population health is specified.38 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaProvides a general description of one recommendation along with a general description of the steps that need to be taken to promote the recommendation and how it relates to population health.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaDoes not provide recommendations and/or does not outline steps that need to be taken and/or does not clearly relate them to promoting population health.50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTone50 ptsMeets All CriteriaThe tone of the letter is professional, objective, and devoid of language that is demeaning or irrelevant to the argument.43 ptsMeets Most CriteriaThe tone of the letter is professional but not objective. It does not use language that is demeaning or irrelevant to the argument.38 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaThe tone of the letter is professional, objective, and devoid of language that is demeaning but the relevance of the content to the argument is not clear.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaThe tone of the letter is not professional or objective and uses demeaning or irrelevant language to the argument.50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormat25 ptsMeets All CriteriaThe letter is between 10 – 20 sentences and 200 to 400 words, or a maximum of 200 words if writing to a newspaper. Editor is identified and professionally addressed. Students’ contact information is included.22 ptsMeets Most CriteriaThe letter is more than 20 sentences and 400 words or over 200 words if writing to a newspaper. Editor is not identified and minimal student contact information is provided.19 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaThe letter is less than 10 sentences and 400 words or over 200 words if writing to a newspaper. Either the editor is not addressed or student contact information is not provided.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaThe letter is less than 10 sentences and 200 The editor is not identified and the student contact information is not provided.25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClarity of Writing15 ptsMeets All CriteriaExcellent use of standard English showing original thought. No spelling or grammatical errors. Well organized with proper flow of meaning.13 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaSome evidence of own expression and competent use of language. No more than three spelling or grammatical errors. Generally organized thoughts and concepts.11 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaLanguage needs development or lack of original thought evident. Four or five spelling and/or grammatical errors.0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaLanguage lacks development and a lack of original thought is evident. Multiple spelling and/or grammatical errors.15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Format10 ptsMeets All CriteriaAPA properly formatted with no more than one error9 ptsMeets Most CriteriaSome APA errors in formatting with 2 – 3 errors8 ptsPartially Meets CriteriaAPA formatting contains 4 or more errors0 ptsDoes Not Meet CriteriaAPA formatting is not present, or there are five of more errors in formatting10 pts
Total Points: 250