Which of the following facts do you not need to know before you write to a public official? • the official’s job • whether the official will take action • where the official can be reached • what the official’s stand is on the issues

The following fact you do not need to know before you write to a public official:

It is important to know the official's job in order to address the letter properly. Also, it is important to know where the official can be reached in order to know where to send the letter. Finally, knowing the official's stand on the issue helps one know how to approach the issue.

However, if the official decides to take action or not is up to the official and many times that is uncertain until he or she receives the letter. Also, in some cases the idea of a letter is bringing up an issue to an official's attention, therefore there is always uncertainty on what the response will be.