Speak Editorial Assignment 75 points
Your major writing assignment for Speak is partially a reaction to Speak and partially a persuasive essay reflecting on the world you live in.
Your goal is to create an editorial. An editorial, usually written by a member of the newspaper staff or a highly qualified writer, analyzes the world around them, pushes for a specific kind of change, or supports a specific person, action, or group.
Almost every paper has an editorial page. Here is the Washington Post’s , New York Post’s, and The Guardian’s. They often debate complex national matters. Sometimes papers discuss local matters. A type of editorial, a great tradition in American democracy, is the letter to the editor. Here are the letter to the editor pages for The Daily Record and The Star Ledger. Use all of these sources for context and format.
Specifically though, we are looking at our own communities in a season of change and hope. I would like you to look specifically at the world around you. At times the structure of this world creates pain for the people in it and not necessarily because of ill-will. I want you to identify that structure, or mechanism, or habit, argue why its a problem, and look for a solution. Don’t worry if your solution is as simple and “wishy-washy” as something like awareness or sensitivity (obviously, the more definable the solution the better, but I’m not asking for a step-by-step plan on how to end world hunger).
Your focus may be as wide as our overall culture, it might be as specific as something you see in your group of friends, or your school, or your town. You may be a part of the problem or part of the solution--it doesn’t matter.
Keep in mind, these will be read by lots of people. You don’t want to say anything that might be taken personally. Avoid mentioning specific people. Also avoid making wide generalities, as they are rarely helpful. (”All athletes do this.” “All rich kids do that.”)
The best two pieces will be published in the Notre Dame Academy school newspaper.
You will be graded on:
Clearly stating the problem your piece is trying to confront: 10 points
Developing your main idea with support throughout the body paragraphs: 10 points
Having a cleanly organized piece with good paragraph use: 20 points
The effectiveness of your argument: 20 points
The writing style and grammar of your argument: 15 points
Your major writing assignment for Speak is partially a reaction to Speak and partially a persuasive essay reflecting on the world you live in.
Your goal is to create an editorial. An editorial, usually written by a member of the newspaper staff or a highly qualified writer, analyzes the world around them, pushes for a specific kind of change, or supports a specific person, action, or group.
Almost every paper has an editorial page. Here is the Washington Post’s , New York Post’s, and The Guardian’s. They often debate complex national matters. Sometimes papers discuss local matters. A type of editorial, a great tradition in American democracy, is the letter to the editor. Here are the letter to the editor pages for The Daily Record and The Star Ledger. Use all of these sources for context and format.
Specifically though, we are looking at our own communities in a season of change and hope. I would like you to look specifically at the world around you. At times the structure of this world creates pain for the people in it and not necessarily because of ill-will. I want you to identify that structure, or mechanism, or habit, argue why its a problem, and look for a solution. Don’t worry if your solution is as simple and “wishy-washy” as something like awareness or sensitivity (obviously, the more definable the solution the better, but I’m not asking for a step-by-step plan on how to end world hunger).
Your focus may be as wide as our overall culture, it might be as specific as something you see in your group of friends, or your school, or your town. You may be a part of the problem or part of the solution--it doesn’t matter.
Keep in mind, these will be read by lots of people. You don’t want to say anything that might be taken personally. Avoid mentioning specific people. Also avoid making wide generalities, as they are rarely helpful. (”All athletes do this.” “All rich kids do that.”)
The best two pieces will be published in the Notre Dame Academy school newspaper.
Your piece must be between 300 and 500 words.
You will be graded on:
Clearly stating the problem your piece is trying to confront: 10 points
Developing your main idea with support throughout the body paragraphs: 10 points
Having a cleanly organized piece with good paragraph use: 20 points
The effectiveness of your argument: 20 points
The writing style and grammar of your argument: 15 points
