Paper #1 Assignment
Instructions for Paper #1
Due on 1/26/2016 at 6pm on Bb
OVERVIEW
Based on what you have learned from working with newspaper opinion/editorial (op-ed) sections, you will write your own 3-4 page persuasive argument piece that uses rhetorical appeals to convince your audience.
TOPIC
Choose any arguable topic that interests you, and write an op-ed piece that employs logos, pathos and ethos. Remember, a persuasive writing piece must, by nature, make a stand for a particular view of a topic that may not be shared by others. Do not be afraid to be controversial! Just be respectful about it; this keeps the door open for your audience to consider the points you make. Your target audience is the class as a whole.
You can use the NY Times archive of Student Opinion questions to help select a topic. You could also consult the Washington Post, Washington Times, other national news outlets, or local news for topic ideas. If you are still struggling for ideas, perhaps discovering what is blowing up the Twitter feed will churn up an interesting idea.
FORMAT
- Use standard 1” margins.
- Use standard fonts, such as Calibri, Georgia, Arial, Times New Roman.
- Font size should be 11 or 12 point.
- Be sure to cite any references you use to substantiate your opinion in MLA or APA format. (A link to Purdue’s OWL site is on Bb to help with format.)
TURN-IN
All papers must be posted in the Bb discussion thread for Paper #1 by 6:00pm on 1/26/2016.
