Writing Assignment

Winning Hearts and Minds: Campaigning for Leadership!

October 2013

Senator John F. Kennedy made the following statement in Washington D. C. on January

2nd, 1960:

“I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.

The Presidency is the most powerful office in the Free World. In it are centered the hopes of
the globe around us for freedom and a more secure life. For it is in the Executive Branch
that the most crucial decisions of this century must be made in the next four years -- how to
end or alter the burdensome arms race, where Soviet gains already threaten our very
existence -- how to maintain freedom and order in the newly emerging nations -- how to
rebuild the stature of American science and education --how to prevent the collapse of our
farm economy and the decay of our cities -- how to achieve, without further inflation or
unemployment, expanded economic growth benefiting all Americans -- and how to give
direction to our traditional moral purpose, awakening every American to the dangers and
opportunities that confront us.

These are among the real issues of 1960. And it is on the-basis of these issues that the
American people must make their fateful choice for their future.”

Situation:
You are a politically engaged person, and have decided to announce your candidacy as leader of
a political party in an attempt to improve the fate of your constituents.

(In an aside: an article published in Political Psychology recently, shows that there is
clear link between political activism and a person’s sense of well-being. Activists live a
happier and more fulfilling life than the average person , and even a very small
engagement with political activism can boost one’s sense of vitality.)

Assignment
Write a public statement announcing your candidacy as leader for your political party.
Make sure it includes the following items:
- An explanation of which political party you will be heading, and the reason why
you have chosen this party (it can be an existing party, or you can make up a
political party).
- An explanation of the problems you are facing in this present-day society – which
areas of concern do you identify in your country/municipality or community?
 - The changes that you foresee will be necessary in order to create the ideal
society.
- A promise that you make to your constituents. Remember to use the (correct)
conditional tense for these!

Instructions
Your completed article should run to around 180-200 words
Your article should have a title
You may make use of a dictionary

Criteria
You will be judged on:
- Inclusion of all items mentioned in the assignment instructions
- Inclusion of a title
- Correct use of English
- Correct use of the conditional tense
- Coherence/structure (don’t write one big block of text!)
- Originality/Level of conviction