What is a petition?

A petition is a formal, written request made to an authority, typically signed by multiple people, seeking a specific change or action. This could range from altering legislation, advocating for community improvements, or addressing social issues. The key feature of a petition is that it is an organized method of expressing collective opinions or demands, often aiming to influence decision-makers or public policies.

The other options detail concepts that do not align with the definition of a petition. A private legal agreement refers to contracts or arrangements made between parties without public disclosure, which lacks the communal aspect inherent in petitions. A type of loan application is focused on an individual’s request for borrowing funds, which differs significantly from the collective and advocacy nature of petitions. Lastly, a social media campaign uses online platforms to promote ideas or causes but is not necessarily a formal, written request and might not involve traditional petitioning processes. Therefore, the essence of a petition emphasizes the collective, formal approach seeking change through documented requests, making the choice of a formal, written request for change accurate.