Editorial Assignment
WHAT: This essay will resemble an editorial in the newspaper. An editorial is an article in which the author makes a central point using his or her own reasons and/or personal stories.
YOUR CLAIM: You can choose any claim that you like for this essay. You can choose a claim that relates to your field of study, a personal belief that you feel strongly about or a local issue that you are interested in. Whatever the case, you must argue for a clear claim. Your early drafts might resemble more of a reflection on something, but I will be grading on how well you argue for a claim.
LENGTH: Your essay must be at least 700 words long and cannot be more than 1000 words. This means that you need to be brief. Anyone writing more than 1000 words will automatically be counted 10 points off.
STYLE: The difference between this essay and the other three essays we are writing this semester is that this essay allows you to use personal stories and first person. You can get your reader’s attention by using personal stories, but beware of being long-winded. The “This I Believe” website says this about personal stories: “Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. . .Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.” You do not have to tell a personal story. But if it fits to illustrate your point, use one.
SOURCES: You are not required to use an outside source for this essay. However, using an outside source or direct quote can help you gain credibility.
STRUCTURE: Every editorial needs to have an introduction, two clearly stated reasons and a conclusion. Your two reasons need to clearly connect to your central claim. Your introduction and conclusion can be very short in order to make room for more “reasons” but either way, there needs to be a structure in place for your reader to understand your ideas.
General Tips:
Name your belief/claim/opinion: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief or a particular opinion.
Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Tell us what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.
Be specific: Make your claim specific so that you can actually argue for it in 1000 words. If you speak too broadly, you might end up losing your reader. You will overwhelm yourself. Smaller statements are easier to back up. If you are concerned about the fate of the environment and your claim is “The environment is in bad shape and getting worse.” This is too broad. This would be a good opening sentence, but not a claim. Rather specifically argue for a specific environmental issue like the amount of trees being cut down in North Carolina. Or perhaps National Parks in America being cut into for governmental purposes.
Brainstorm ideas: Think about conversations that you’ve had with friends lately or things you might have read about lately. Would any of those ideas that you’ve been discussing with friend work for your editorial? Also look in editorial pieces in the local newspaper and/or large newspapers such as the New York Times and Washington Post.
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