This assignment is just between you and me.
I will not share what you write.
I want you to feel free, safe, and honest when you write.
The purpose is not to grade your writing skills, but to give me a deeper understanding of who you are—your past, your present, and your hopes for the future.
Overview
Rhetoric is about how we share who we are, what we feel, and what we believe with others. In this letter, you will practice rhetoric by using personal stories, emotions, and details to communicate your identity and experiences to me. Writing this way shows how rhetoric is not only about persuasion but also about connection, understanding, and self-expression.
A Letter to Your Professor
Instructions
Write me a personal letter that reveals the true essence of who you are. Be as vulnerable and honest as you feel comfortable being. This is not an essay—it’s a letter, and it should feel personal. Please include the following:
- Your Past
- Share meaningful details about your life so far.
- Include times when you were hurt, how those moments affected you, and what you’ve carried forward from them.
- Share moments when you felt joy or happiness, and why those moments mattered to you.
- Be detailed: include dates, places, time frames, or specific experiences that shaped you.
- Your Present
- Describe who you are right now.
- What challenges are you currently facing?
- What brings you happiness or peace today?
- Your Future
- Talk about your goals, dreams, or the kind of person you hope to become.
- Share how you plan to overcome challenges and move forward in your life.
- Your Teacher
- End your letter by telling me how I can be a better teacher for you.
- Be specific about what you need from me to feel supported in this class.
Notes
- Write your business letter in a way that feels natural to you—as long as it is in business letter format. See example blow. Automatic zero if not written in this format.
- Use full sentences and paragraphs, not bullet points.
- Length: at least 2 pages double-spaced
- Follow the business letter format.
- Submit as a PDF.
Remember
This is only for me to read. It will not be shared, and your honesty will be respected.
At the end of your letter, I encourage you to leave me with the same truth you began with: a version of your story that only I will see and carry with me as your teacher.
Business Letter Structure and Formatting Requirements
The letter must follow standard business letter conventions while allowing space for personal voice, emotional honesty, and reflective depth.
Heading (Sender’s Address and Date)
Include your full mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP code) aligned to the left margin, followed by the full date written out to clearly situate the letter in time and place. You may use the school address as your address.
Inside Address (Recipient’s Information)
List my professional title, institutional affiliation, and mailing address to establish the formal recipient of the correspondence and reinforce that this letter is directed intentionally to a specific audience.
Salutation
Begin with a respectful greeting using my title and last name, signaling professional awareness while setting the tone for a personal yet appropriate exchange.
Opening Paragraph (Purpose and Tone-Setting)
The opening paragraph should clearly establish that this is a personal letter written for reflection and connection, setting an honest, intentional tone rather than introducing an argument or thesis.
Body Paragraphs (Past, Present, and Future)
The body of the letter should be organized into cohesive paragraphs that explore your past experiences, present realities, and future aspirations, using narrative detail and emotional reflection rather than academic analysis or evidence-based claims.
Closing Paragraph (Teacher Reflection)
The final body paragraph should directly address me as your instructor, explaining how I can better support your learning and presence in the course through specific, experience-based insight.
Complimentary Close
End the letter with a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Respectfully,” maintaining the conventions of business correspondence while honoring the sincerity of the message.
Signature
Type your full name beneath the closing to formally conclude the letter and affirm authorship of the narrative you have shared.
Overall Formatting
The letter must be double-spaced, use a readable professional font, maintain consistent margins, and avoid headings, bullet points, or essay-style formatting.
Genre Integrity
The overall document should read as private correspondence rather than an academic paper, balancing professionalism with emotional authenticity in a way that reinforces trust, vulnerability, and rhetorical awareness.
Jordan Wiggins 