The Great Gatsby – Writing A LetterNow that you have reached the midway point of The Great Gatsby, you have spent some time talking and thinking about the main characters, including their motivations, characteristics, and their importance to the plot. You should have, at this point, a strong understanding of the characters, their attitudes, and the things that motivate them.
To show this knowledge, for this assignment, you are going to use your creativity and what you know about each character to write a character letter.
Your Task:

Your assignment is to write one of the following letters:

  1. from Gatsby to Daisy persuading her to leave Tom for him
  2. from Nick to Gatsby persuading him to give up his hopes for a relationship with Daisy
  3. from Jordan to Nick persuading him to pursue his relationship with her
  4. from Myrtle to Tom persuading him to leave Daisy for her

Since this assignment is in letter format, you may, and are actually encouraged to, use informal language such as first person perspective to capture the character’s thoughts and feelings.
Please be as creative as you can. As well, in your letter, please include the following:

  • The letter should be 1 – 1.5 pages in length
  • Reference specific events or characters from the novel at least three (3) times
  • Show your knowledge of the novel, its plot, and its characters
    PREWRITING 

Choose which of the letters you think you would like to write. Think about the character who is doing the writing (the character you must pretend to be as you write the letter). Now think about the person to whom you are writing. Jot down a list of three or four things that would be most likely to persuade that person to do what you want him/her to do.

Which of those things would make your best argument (would be most likely to persuade the person)? Put a star next to that one. Number the remaining items on your list from most persuasive to least persuasive.

DRAFTING 

Begin your composition in a letter format. Use the introductory paragraph to introduce the idea you wish to convey in your letter. In the body of your letter, write one paragraph for each of your persuasive arguments.

Some people prefer to write from the least persuasive to the most persuasive arguments. Others prefer to begin with the most persuasive argument and then work from the least persuasive to the second most persuasive arguments. How do you decide which to do? Consider your arguments and your audience. What do you think will work best in your particular situation? After careful consideration, write your paper with the organization you think best suits your situation.

Your closing paragraph could be done in a number of ways. You might give your final thoughts or make a final pitch or plea. You could end either firmly or with a more mellow tone. If your entire letter has been firm, consider whether you should keep that tone or write a few lines in a more mellow tone. The way you will close your letter will depend entirely on you and the impression with which you want to leave your reader.

PROMPT 

When you finish the rough draft of your paper, ask a student who sits near you to read it.

After reading your rough draft, he/she should tell you what he/she liked best about your work, which parts were difficult to understand, and ways in which your work could be improved. Reread your paper considering your critic’s comments, and make the corrections you think are necessary, and then do a final proofreading of your work.