Writing an academic appeal letter for grades?

So, I just received my final grades for the semester and I'm not happy with the results. I really think there's been a mistake and I want to write an academic appeal letter. Any advice on what to include and any successful examples would be greatly appreciated!

When writing an academic appeal letter for your grades, the key is to keep your tone respectful and to provide a clear explanation for your concerns. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you out:

1. Begin by addressing the letter to the appropriate person or department responsible for reviewing grade appeals. Generally, this will be your professor or academic dean.

2. In the introduction, briefly describe the reason for your letter and mention the specific course and grade you are appealing.

3. Explain your concerns: Clearly outline the reasons why you believe a mistake has been made in your grade. Be specific about the elements you think have been incorrectly assessed or not considered.

4. Provide evidence: If you have any documentation or evidence to support your case, present it in an organized manner. This could include graded assignments, emails or correspondence with the professor, or any relevant course materials.

5. Describe your efforts: Briefly mention any steps you have already taken to address the issue, such as speaking to your professor or reaching out to a teaching assistant for clarification.

6. Request a resolution: Ask the recipient to review your concerns and consider adjusting your grade if they find merit in your case.

7. Be respectful: Thank the recipient for their time and consideration, and let them know you are open to discussing the matter further if necessary.

8. Close the letter: Include your full name, contact information, and student ID number, and sign the letter before sending it.

Here's an example of what a grade appeal letter might look like:

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip]

[Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Recipient's Title]

[Recipient's Department or Office]

[College or University Name]

[Address]

[City, State, Zip]

Dear [Recipient's Title and Last Name],

I am writing to appeal my final grade for [Course Name and Number] in the [Semester/Year] semester. I recently received my grade and believe that an error may have been made in its calculation.

My concerns are primarily with [be specific about the elements you believe were incorrectly assessed – for example, "my midterm exam score" or "my participation grade"]. I have reviewed the course syllabus, my graded assignments, and any feedback provided by the professor, and I feel that my performance in these areas was stronger than the grade I received.

To support my claim, I have included the following documents as evidence: [list any relevant assignments, feedback, or other materials that you are attaching to the letter].

Before submitting this appeal, I reached out to [Professor's Name or TA's Name] on [Date] to discuss my concerns. Unfortunately, we were unable to resolve the issue to my satisfaction.

I respectfully request that you review my appeal and consider adjusting my final grade if you find merit in my case. I appreciate your time and attention in reviewing my concerns, and I am open to discussing the matter further if necessary.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Student ID Number]

[Your Email]

[Your Phone Number]