Imagine that you just found out one of your friends has been drinking alcohol at parties every weekend. You want to talk to the friend and explain that underage drinking is dangerous, but your friend won’t listen to you, no matter how you approach the situation. You plan to get help from your parents about this friend’s problem, but you also want to try reaching out directly one more time. You decide to write a letter, hoping that this friend might be more willing to listen to you if your words are written rather than spoken. In the space below, write a letter (3-5 paragraphs) to your friend about the concerns you have with the risky behavior of underage drinking. Be assertive when expressing your beliefs and feelings but also persuasive so that the friend might be convinced to stop the underage drinking—or at least talk to someone face-to-face about it.

Hi/hey/etc. (friend name),

As your friend it is my duty to make sure you're okay and safe. I've noticed you've been taking a particular liking to alc*h*lic beverages because other kids our age are. Regardless of how much it makes you fit it, its dangerous. It can lead to add*ction, get you in trouble with the government, your family, and your friends. Not to mention, it acts a detriment to your growth and development. I care about you okay? So please listen. And if not me, then another friend, or your parents, please?

[explain physical health reasons here]

Drinking makes any of the following more likely...

Car crashes

Falls, drowning, and other accidents

Su*cide

V*olence and hom*cide

Being a victim of violent cr*me

S*xu*lly transmitted infections

Unwanted pr*gn*ncy

S*xu*l *ss*ult or r*pe

[explain social health and emotional health/happiness here]

low self-esteem, d*pr*ssion (linked to greater su*c*de attempts among underage drinkers), conduct disorders, antisocial behavior, dependency on other dr*gs (ie. tob*cco), and anxiety.

Explanation:

I started the essay/persuasive letter off for you, but continue to research facts and put it in paragraph form. The most important thing to remember when writing something like this, is that its supposed to be caring and not just a blast of information. The more you bring it back to your friendship and the friend's relationships (parents, romantic ones, etc.), the more inclined he/she will be to continue reading the letter. Make it so that you bring across sympathy (use words or phrases that emphasize the idea that "you care" as the writer and you want to help and you want the best for them). Towards the end of the letter they may be a little reluctant to listening to anything you wrote above so don't say anything negative about them, rather the positive aspects that would be lost otherwise. Provide resources at the bottom as well, and since it is a letter, don't forget a signature. Hope this helps!

she swerves to avoid the turtle.