Week 6: Reading Op-Ed/Opinion Essays as Writers

Class Info

  • Dates: Wednesday, 3/6, Monday, 3/12
  • Meeting Info: Meeting Info: 11:30am-12:45pm in room N602A

Objectives

  • To read op-ed/opinion essays and find mentor texts
  • To brainstorm topics for Project 2
  • To consider research techniques
  • To complete any unfinished work, especially Project 1: Discourse Communities and the reflective cover letter

For Wednesday, 3/6

Reading

Writing

  • take notes and annotate while reading
  • Choose a word from any of our texts or course materials and contribute to our ongoing Noticing Words discussion from earlier this semester.

In Class Wednesday, 3/6

  • What is an opinion essay? why write one?
    • to persuade a reader; to get a message across; make an argument;
  • Reading op-ed/opinion essays, including “What We Are Not Teaching Boys About Being Human” by Ruth Whippman
  • What are the features of the op-ed/opinion essay genre?
    • reason to share an opinion
    • introduction that includes that opinion, what comparison they might make
    • uses specific tone, diction, style relevant to audience and purpose. eg softer language, less trying to change your opinion and more sharing information?
    • includes personal experience, telling a personal story
    • includes facts, refers to experts, refers to data, mentions or links to studies or other research–and does this appropriately for the venue and audience
    • thesis? yes, but maybe not like we’re used to in an academic essay. Might be longer, might be later, and might just be implied
    • title–this might help us understand the argument/main idea
    • counterpoint, rejection of counterpoint
    • desired outcome
    • call to action
  • The Op-Ed Project
  • Reviewing Project 2 instructions
  • Reading opinions in Passing
  • What are possible topics for our projects?

For Monday, 3/11

Reading

Writing

  • take notes and annotate while reading
  • Add to our Brainstorm Discussion about issues relevant to City Tech students you would want to read about, write about, research

In Class Monday, 3/11

  • Op-Ed/Opinion Essay: “College Students Have Something to Say. It’s Just Not What You’d Expect” by Jonathan Malesic
  • What topics matter to students? what opinion essays would you be interested in reading or writing in a City Tech context?
    • political views, issues that we can change viewpoints
    • subway system
    • parks
    • infrastructure holding up a building
    • bathroom locks that don’t lock, no toilet paper
    • differences across buildings
    • use humor/be serious in our opinion essay
    • environmental topics: plastic, climate change
    • effects of having your phone when you’re studying
    • social media influence
    • free college
    • What’s up with FAFSA
    • mental health: eg students should connect with a therapist; therapy animals; how to access
    • check up on faculty to make sure they’re as effective as they should be; faculty work condition
  • Project proposals
    • what topic are you interested in writing about?
    • what is the thesis or argument for your opinion essay?
    • within the City Tech student population, who is your audience?
    • what information will you need to support your opinion?

Photo credit:

“How to be an Optimist (Short guide:)” by Irene Mei via Flickr under the license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed