Assignment
Op-eds allow writers to communicate to a broader audience, with the intention of making a strong claim or suggestion. They can be an important element in how a writer chooses to use their education to address current debates in a variety of cultural spheres, or make unique observations. Additionally, this assignment provides you an opportunity to reflect on the writing process and to familiarize yourself with the conventions of engaged professional writing. In particular, this assignment is designed to teach you how to effectively use evidence in support of your argument, the value of precise language, and how to emphasize
important points.
Instructions: Write an Op-Ed article based on the topic from the texts youve chosen for your Annotated Bibliography project.
This project will require research (varying media forms) to help with making sure our perspectives are current and accurate regarding the issue. To that end, you must include hyperlinks to at least three (3) resources found online that you engage with directly in your op-ed piece. These hyperlinks must be embedded into relevant text for best rhetorical effectwant to know how (Links to an external site.)?
FAQs:
Q: How should I start?
A: Take a document/piece of paper and write the issue from your research at the top and then just free write on what you agree with or disagree with about that topic. You can always go back later and break up your writing into paragraphs, add quotes, hyperlinks, etc. But doing this will help you start with your own genuine response to the issue!
Q: How long does it have to be?
A: Eh, Im not a fan of word counts…but if it helps: 1500-1800. Just remember: Quality earns more points than quantity.
Q: Can I use material from the activities weve done in the past weeks?
A: Absolutely! In fact, my comments have been all about how you can adapt your notes from those activities into usable
material in this project. Just be sure to refine, polish, and adjust content as needed…dont just copy & paste!
Q: How many times will you look at my draft?
A: As many as you ask me to! Im happy to help at any stage of the process and suggest ways of organizing, refining, clarifying, etc. All that I ask is that you get your own ideas written down first, but if even that is a struggle, please reach out and lets hop into a Google Doc ASAP!
Organizing: Annotations are divided into four parts: a citation, a summary, an evaluation, and a response:
Frankenstein’s Argument (for basic argument structure) (Links to an external site.)
How to Write an Op-Ed (for Op-Ed specific elements you’ll want to add in as well!) (Links to an external site.)
A successful Op-Ed will
contain a specific and clear thesis (pick a side!)
include evidence for your argument by using direct quotes and paraphrasing.
…be effectively organized using paragraph types and order common in Op-Eds.
include an original title that will catch a readers eye.
include hyperlinks to at least three (3) relevant texts found online and strategically
placed in the article for best rhetorical effect.
…include at least two (2) multimedia elements (video, images, etc.) that are strategically
included and placed for rhetorical effect.
be written in the third person
Sample Op-Eds
Below are general archives of Op-Eds to help you get a variety of successful examples. Consider what some are doing well and others aren’t doing as well. There’s no one way to write, right? Right.
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Links to an external site.)(Local)
New York Times (Links to an external site.) (National/Global)
Outcomes Achieved
The following course objectives are being achieved through successful completion of this assignment:
Use the Claim, Evidence, Warrant paragraph model to make an effective argument. (Weekly Objective)
Anticipate readers’ questions (engage opposing argument) (Weekly Objective)
Employ the use of multimedia content (hyperlinks, images, videos, etc.) to improve effectiveness of argument. (Weekly Objective)
Responsibly evaluate, ethically integrate, and accurately document sources, using current MLA style. (Course Objective)
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