Op-ed

OVERVIEW OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Writing an op-ed offers an opportunity for students to present an argument about some topic they are personally knowledgeable about. It also provides them with an opportunity to analyze other opinion writers' work so that they can improve their own essays, as well as understand some major differences between journalistic and academic writing. The op-ed works well at the beginning of the class as a gentle way to introduce students to college writing and argumentation.

OBJECTIVES

  • To begin learning argumentation

  • To encourage use of personal experience as appropriate evidence

  • To analyze the relationship between journalistic writing and academic writing

ADVICE FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

  • THE BENEFITS OF THIS ASSIGNMENT:

    • Students are enthusiastic about arguing about something personal to them.

  • THE CHALLENGES OF THIS ASSIGNMENT:

    • Some students struggle to narrow down a topic and need guidance.

    • Persuasive writing is often challenging for students. They tend to produce informative pieces.

  • TIP:

    • Be sure to differentiate between the less structured examples in the newspaper and the academic essay that they are required to write. The assignment is more successful if it is designed to encourage students to practice writing in the format of an academic essay (typically a 5 paragraph format with a clear thesis statement).

ACTIVITIES

Step 1: Read sample op-eds in the newspaper.

Be sure to point out that most of the opinion pieces in the newspaper appear on the editorial pages. Differentiating between argumentative and informative writing is a challenge for many students.

Step 2: Select one op-ed and analyze it in detail. Ask students to work in groups to do 1 or 2 more.

The handouts provide a step-by-step approach for encouraging students to identify the thesis statement and key points of an op-ed.

Step 3: Have students brainstorm topics they are knowledgeable, opinionated, or passionate about.

Beginning with a variety of possibilities will help students to choose a better topic.

Step 4: Help students to plan their own papers.

Ask them to write a thesis, topic sentences, and two examples for every body paragraph.

Step 5: Assign a draft.

Time to write!

Step 6: Peer review

Step 7: Final draft

HANDOUTS FOR OP-ED UNIT

There is one attachment below:

  1. Op-ed assignment and analysis exercise

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