Article Op-Ed

This is an Op-ed style paper

American newspapers are written by staff journalists, but one section of the newspaper is reserved for outside voices: the Op-Ed (or Opinion-Editorial) page. On this page, readers and interested parties are invited to contribute their opinions about timely issues of the day. The Op Ed pages of newspapers provide a public forum for citizens to express their views and opinions as persuasively as they can.

Op Eds are chosen by the editorial staff of newspapers on various criteria. It may be that the subject matter chosen is particularly timely or relevant to the readership. It may be that the articles author is a great authority on the subject, or simply an excellent and persuasive writer. Some Op Eds are merely chosen for their entertainment value. In all cases, editors are looking for good, clean, writing and excellent rhetorical skills, a subject which they believe their readership is interested in, and a writer who exhibits credibility.

In this assignment you will write an OP-ED in which you propose a new monument to replace one which, in your mind, should be removed.

NOTE: You may ALSO choose a different subject, IF cleared by me.

The paper should be short no longer that 700 words, probably less, and it WILL use personal pronouns: in other words, it is written from your own perspective.

When considering how to make your paper relevant, you should consider the following questions: –How can I tie this topic to a recent event? (ex:Black Lives Matter)

Also consider:

–How can I exhibit my own expertise on this topic? Are you connected in any way?

–How can I bolster my claim with research, evidence, and opinion?

STEPS

1.) Most Op Eds begin with an anecdote in which you, as the author are able to show the readers why you are the correct person to be writing about this subject. For example, if you were writing about sports, you might begin, last year, when my team won the state championships Find a good opening to begin your Op Ed, and submit it by Monday, Wednesday, April 6th.
2.) After explaining your interest in the subject through an anecdote, you will make a claim. For example, your claim might be, The reason I am not voting in the upcoming election is(claim), or, in this case, Mount Rushmore memorializes the wrong people.
3.) After youve made your claim, you need to justify it. This is the rhetorical part of your paper, where you persuade readers you were right. You may wish to use facts and data, or you may wish to rely on logic, emotion. Its your choice.
4.) Credibility: Include something about why you personally are the right person to make this argument. And remember: credibility can be lost as well as gained. The first way to lose credibility is through minor errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Make sure that before you turn this assignment in, it is properly formatted, punctuated, and spelt, in other words, that it is error free.

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