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Write for Your Reader: The Knitting Club Letter

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Write for Your Reader: The Knitting Club Letter

Match your writing to its task, purpose, and audience.

Read the letter

Amara leads the knitting club at her school. Her teacher, Ms. Okafor, gave her a writing task: write a letter to the principal, Mr. Lindqvist, to ask if the club may run a finger-knitting table at Family Fun Night. Read Amara's letter.

Amara's Letter

1Dear Mr. Lindqvist,
My name is Amara Diallo, and I am a fifth grader in Ms. Okafor's class. I am also the leader of the Loop and Purl Knitting Club. Our club meets every Tuesday after school in the art room. I am writing to ask whether our club may run a finger-knitting table at Family Fun Night next month.

2First, a finger-knitting table would give families a fun way to learn something together. Finger knitting uses only yarn and your own hands, so there are no sharp needles to worry about. Even a five-year-old can learn the basic loop in a few minutes, and a grown-up can learn right beside them. Last spring, our club taught finger knitting to the kindergarten classes, and many children asked if they could show their parents how to do it. At Family Fun Night, they would get that chance.

3Second, the table would cost the school almost nothing. Our club already has three large bins of yarn that families donated after our winter yarn drive. My favorite color of yarn is a bright sea green. Each finger-knitting project uses only a small amount of yarn, so we have more than enough for every visitor. The only supplies we would need from the school are one table and four chairs.

4Finally, our club has a plan to keep the table safe and tidy. Ms. Okafor has agreed to stay at the table for the whole evening. Two club members will teach at a time, and we will trade places every thirty minutes so that no one gets tired. When the night is over, we will pick up every scrap of yarn and carry the bins back to the art room.

5A finger-knitting table would give families a calm, creative activity in the middle of a busy night. Thank you for considering our request. I would be glad to meet with you to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Amara Diallo

Task, purpose, and audience

Use Amara's letter to answer questions 1 to 4.

1.
Before writing, a writer thinks about the task (what kind of writing), the purpose (why they are writing), and the audience (who will read it). Match each one to Amara's letter. One answer will not be used.
2.
A clear letter tells its purpose early. Read paragraph 1 again. Underline the sentence that tells the reader the purpose of Amara's letter.

3.
In clear writing, every sentence helps the purpose. Read paragraph 3 again. Underline the one sentence that does not help Amara's purpose.

4.
Amara's first draft began with the greeting "Hey Mr. L, guess what?" In her letter above, she changed the greeting to "Dear Mr. Lindqvist," instead. Why was this a good change?
Question 4 options

Organize and write for your reader

Answer questions 5 to 8. Then write for new readers in questions 9 and 10.

5.
How did Amara organize the body of her letter in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4?
Question 5 options
6.
Amara is also making a flyer for the kindergarten children she taught last spring. It invites them to visit the table with their families. Sort each sentence by the piece of writing it fits best.
7.
Paragraph 4 explains Amara's plan to keep the table safe and tidy. Which sentence would fit best if she added it to paragraph 4?
Question 7 options
8.
Ms. Okafor gives Amara a new task: write a how-to card that families will follow at the table to start finger knitting. Which plan suits this task best?
Question 8 options
9.
Amara wants to use this idea from paragraph 2 on the kindergarten flyer: "First, a finger-knitting table would give families a fun way to learn something together." Rewrite the sentence so that it fits young readers.
10.
Write a short notice of 3 or 4 sentences for the school newsletter that tells families about the finger-knitting table. Use details from Amara's letter, and choose words that fit families as your audience.