Although many people today get their news from television, networks and television
stations rarely take editorial positions on issues or offer arguments to support a particular view.
Radio talk shows offer many strongly held opinions, but little reasoning or evidence.
However, newspaper editorials and the "letters to the editor" they inspire are critical in the development of public policy.
Why? This is because editorial boards of major newspapers take positions on issues, presenting arguments and evidence.
They also print editorials and opinion pieces by writers outside of the newspaper, and provide a forum for citizens to respond.
If students are to learn to participate in a democratic society by forming and supporting their own opinions and evaluating the opinions of others, the op-ed pages of the newspaper are an essential resource.
learn and practice verbal argumentation in 2 debate formats: 4-Corner AND Formal Debates;
learn about political rhetoric , including reading, watching, and analyzing political speeches;
learn logical fallacies and recognize them within rhetoric.
In addition to the focus on Common Core State Standards, the module targets the skill areas listed below.
• Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what a text says and implies
• Analyze how ideas, events, and/or narrative elements interact and develop over the course of a text
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
• Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument
• Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text
• Analyze an author’s assumptions and appeals (e.g., ethos, pathos, and logos)
• Analyze the extent to which the writer’s arguments anticipate and address reader concerns and counterclaims
• Analyze the writer’s use of rhetorical devices and strategies
• Understand key rhetorical concepts such as audience, purpose, context, and genre through analysis of texts
• Write a letter to the editor or an essay responding to the issues of the text(s) making effective
rhetorical choices in light of audience and purpose
• Contribute to an ongoing conversation in ways that are appropriate to the academic discipline and context
• Write reading-based arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts,
using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
• Develop academic/analytical essays that are focused on a central idea and effectively organized
• Incorporate the texts of others effectively and use documentation styles suitable to the task,genre, and discipline
• Edit for clarity and for standard written English grammar, usage, and mechanics