The Gatherise platform provides an opportunity for anyone, without needing special skills or media connections, to create a widespread petition campaign with thousands of signatures. To achieve this, writing a clear text with acceptable structure and editing is essential. In this note, we highlight a few key points for writing a quality text for your petition.
A clear demand
It is better for the Petition text to focus on a single issue and avoid digressions. Based on experience, overly long texts are less likely to be read and signed, while overly short ones are often not taken seriously.
The addressee of the petition campaign
Protest or demand-based petitions should be addressed to a decision maker individual or organization. This makes administrative and media follow-up easier and more effective. A petition can have multiple addressees if necessary, but in such cases it’s best to mention the additional ones as CC (carbon copy).
Structure of the text
The text of a Petition can be written in various ways. We suggest looking at highly signed petitions beforehand to get familiar with common structures. If your Petition is demand-based, the following structure can serve as a good template:
[Full Name and Title of the Responsible Addressee]
[Position / Office]
[Organization / Department]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: [Insert Subject of the Petition/Request]
Dear [Title + Last Name],
We respectfully bring to your attention that [state the problem clearly]. Considering [explain relevant conditions or context], we, the undersigned, kindly request your support in [state the demand or requested action] so that [describe the expected outcome or benefit].
We sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your favorable consideration.
Respectfully,
[Signatories’ Names and Signatures]
Title of the Petition
The title is one of the most important parts of your petition. Try to use a direct, clear, and attractive title of about ten words. Demand-based petitions usually start with phrases such as “Request for...,” “Protest against...,” “Demand for...,” etc. For example, “Internet for the village” is not a suitable title, but “Request for Mobile Internet for the Village of Marianow” would be much clearer.
Editing
The petition text should adhere to the writing standards of the formal host country. Put spaces between all words and use punctuation marks (periods, commas, etc.) correctly. Also, avoid overly complex and lengthy sentences. If you feel you lack the necessary editing skills, you can select the option “Text needs editing,” and we will handle the editing for you.
Choosing an image
It is better to select an appropriate and relevant image for your petition. Otherwise, one of the default images will be used. Your chosen image will also appear alongside your petition link on social networks, so selecting a high-quality and relevant picture can significantly help your petition gain visibility.
Try to keep the above points in mind when writing your petition. However, don’t be too hard on yourself! If your text has issues, you will receive the necessary guidance through your user panel.
Take the first step.
Be the change you wish to see!
