Year 7 History Unit 1: Investigating the Past

Class Task 2: Bias and Reliability Literacy Task

For this task you will choose a topic, locate evidence and complete an analysis of that evidence by writing a Letter to
the Editor. This work will be d

Letters to the Editor are found in newspapers. They are written by members of the public, as
opposed to newspaper staff, and give somebody’s opinion about a current issue. Letters to
the Editor have a similar structure to other persuasive forms of writing, like an essay.

1. Letters to the Editor start with a GREETING, usually ‘Dear Editor’ or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.
2. In the THESIS, the writer gives the details of what they’re referring to.
3. Following the THESIS, the writer gives their OPINION.
4. Following the OPINION, the writer gives their ARGUMENTS. These arguments must be
supported by evidence.
5. Finally, your CONCLUSION should re-state your OPINION as well as summarising your
arguments.

• It’s okay in a letter to the editor to use the personal pronoun ‘I’ eg. “I am sure…”
• Your expression should be emotive. If you use strong language there is greater likelihood
that you’ll impress upon the reader. eg. “I was absolutely appalled that…”
• It’s okay to use rhetorical questions in a letter to the editor. For example, “Don’t you agree that…?”

STEP 1
Choose one of the following topic statements

A. School uniforms create a sense of identity and belonging.

B. Denim jeans are the best fashion item ever invented.
C. Laptops have made libraries redundant.
D. Celebrities should more actively use their fame for good.

STEP 2 How to find out what you really want to know! Answer the following questions:
1. Underline Key words in your topic statement
2. What are 3 questions you want answered about your topic?

3. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Why/Why not?

4. What sources of evidence will support your point of view about the statement? Find 4 pieces of evidence
(facts, examples, quotes etc) and record in the table below.

Source of What is the Who created Is the source Does the information meet my
evidence source about? the source? reliable? needs?
Now, complete the table below in the planning of your letter.

Topic Statement:

Draft

Your address
Date
Dear Sir/Madam

Purpose

Introduce yourself…I am a student…..

State the purpose of the letter,

Thesis

Give your opinion about the issue.

Argument 1

Make your first main point.

Give evidence/data/examples to support your
point of view.

Argument 2

Make your first main point.

Give evidence/data/ examples to support your
point of view.

Argument 3

Make your first main point.

Give evidence/data/ examples to support your
point of view.

Restatement of thesis

The conclusion pulls your arguments together. It

may include recommendations or suggested
solutions or a ‘Call to Action’.
Round off/Conclude.

Yours faithfully
Signature
Name

Using your plan, write your letter to the editor here.

MARKING CRITERIA
 High Satisfactory Basic
3 2 1
Has used sources for facts
and considered issues of
reliability and bias by
completing the source table

Has provided a clear plan for

the letter writing by
completing the table
provided
Outstanding High Satisfactory Basic Not Attempted
4 3 2 1 0
Has produced a structured
letter that incorporates
sources to convey opinions
on the topic

Uses appropriate language

to convey opinions on the
topic
Submission on time (1/ 0)
TOTAL: COMMENT:

/ 15 marks