Here, the writer uses a fact to strengthen her position. In the text that follows, she will list the many health risks associated with smoking. To write a strong letter, you must use facts to support your position. Using a cluster diagram and the information on teen smoking in the Social Studies Update, fill in the clusters with facts that will be most persuasive in your letter. As you gather evidence, be aware of the difference between facts and opinions.
Facts are statements that can be proved true by research or by direct observation.
Statements that can't be proved true or false are called opinions. Focus on gathering facts. Opinions alone won't win over your audience. The tobacco companies are the only reason that teenagers smoke. Drafting After you have gathered supporting ideas and organized details, you are ready to begin drafting your letter.