How can writing change people’s worldview?
How can it influence public opinion?
How can it lead to meaningful action?
How can it influence public opinion?
How can it lead to meaningful action?
Step 1 | Brainstorming: What Do You Care About?
Finding the right topic is essential. You should pick something that a) you genuinely care about; b) other people would want to read about; c) you can make an argument about; and d) you can find evidence about to support your claim.
Brainstorm ideas by writing in your writer's notebook about or discuss with partners questions like:
Check out 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing
Step 2 | Modeling: What Is An Editorial?
To help you envision what you will be writing, it is worth spending time discussing what an editorial is and looking at some examples. We've already read a couple in class - one really long and another not so much. Here are two written by students.
Step 3 | Researching: What Do the Experts Say?
Once you have selected a topic, you should begin your research by gathering background information. That might mean reading newspaper articles, consulting an encyclopedia, finding reliable websites or reaching out to an expert to make sure you have enough context about why your topic is important to write a strong persuasive essay.
Steps 4 and 5 | Outlining and Drafting; Revising and Editing: How Do You Write an Editorial?
Andrew Rosenthal, the editorial page editor at The Times, explains in the video at the top of the page that a good editorial consists of “a clear position that is strongly and persuasively argued.” He then goes on to recommend seven pointers for students.
The Times Contest
Contest Rules
One thing you should know, however, is that The Learning Network and all its posts, as well as all Times articles linked from them, are accessible without a digital subscription. That means you can use any of the articles we have linked to on this blog for the editorial contest without exceeding the 10-article limit.
Finding the right topic is essential. You should pick something that a) you genuinely care about; b) other people would want to read about; c) you can make an argument about; and d) you can find evidence about to support your claim.
Brainstorm ideas by writing in your writer's notebook about or discuss with partners questions like:
- What would you like to change if you could? What problems or policies do you think should be addressed — whether something global, like climate change, or something closer to home, like a later start time for your high school classes? Make as long a list as you can.
- What issues, topics and fields are you passionate about? Make a list. Your list might included fields as broad as “music” or as specific as “the early days of hip-hop.” What questions or controversies in these fields do experts or fans often argue? Where do you stand?
- What do you do outside of school? What are some things you’re an expert on? What aspects of those hobbies or interests do you find yourself having to explain to others? Why?
- What issues or ideas do you often find yourself discussing or arguing about with friends, your family or online?
- What issues or controversies have you followed recently in current events? What are your opinions about them? What might you need more information about?
Check out 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing
Step 2 | Modeling: What Is An Editorial?
To help you envision what you will be writing, it is worth spending time discussing what an editorial is and looking at some examples. We've already read a couple in class - one really long and another not so much. Here are two written by students.
- What is the opinion or call to action in this editorial?
- What evidence does it use to make its argument?
- How persuasive do you find the editorial? Is it effective?
- What do you notice about the language and tone of the editorial? About other choices the writer(s) have made?
Step 3 | Researching: What Do the Experts Say?
Once you have selected a topic, you should begin your research by gathering background information. That might mean reading newspaper articles, consulting an encyclopedia, finding reliable websites or reaching out to an expert to make sure you have enough context about why your topic is important to write a strong persuasive essay.
Steps 4 and 5 | Outlining and Drafting; Revising and Editing: How Do You Write an Editorial?
Andrew Rosenthal, the editorial page editor at The Times, explains in the video at the top of the page that a good editorial consists of “a clear position that is strongly and persuasively argued.” He then goes on to recommend seven pointers for students.
- Know your bottom line. “You have to know what you want to say. You have to have a clear opinion — what we call a bottom line.”
- Be concise. “You need to get to the point of your editorial quickly. You have to state it clearly and you have to be concise.”
- Give an opinion or solution. “There are basically two kinds of editorials. One expresses an opinion about a situation, like if you want to write about human rights abuses in some part of the world or the country that you’re concerned about. The other kind of editorial proposes a solution to a specific problem. For example, if you want to write about traffic congestion in northern New Jersey, where I live and there’s a lot of traffic, you should have an answer to how to fix the traffic problem.”
- Do your research. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts. Go online, make calls if you can, check your information, double-check it. There’s nothing that will undermine your argument faster than a fact you got wrong, that you did not have to get wrong.”
- Write clearly. “Good writing is important. Make your writing clear and easy to understand. Write as if you’re sending a letter to a well-informed friend who cares about what you think. But don’t use any slang. OMG — no. Use examples whenever you can. It’s better to use an example than just to use a word or an adjective that describes something. If you want to say that the mayor’s pre-K policy is wrong, explain how — don’t say it’s just stupid. In fact, never use the word stupid.”
- Every writer needs an editor. “After you’ve written your editorial, give it to someone you trust to read and listen to what they say. If they don’t understand it, that means it’s probably not clear.”
- Be prepared for a reaction. “When you write something and you publish it, be prepared for a reaction. If you write a good editorial, people are going to respond to it. And if you criticize people, they definitely are going to respond. So if someone writes you a letter, write them back. Be prepared to defend your position. Don’t get defensive, just explain why you said what you had to say. And if they question your facts, be ready to show that you were right.”
The Times Contest
Contest Rules
One thing you should know, however, is that The Learning Network and all its posts, as well as all Times articles linked from them, are accessible without a digital subscription. That means you can use any of the articles we have linked to on this blog for the editorial contest without exceeding the 10-article limit.
- Use at least one Times source. You can write your editorial about any topic, as long as you use at least one source from The New York Times.
- Be advised that NYTimes.com has a digital subscription system in which readers have free access to 10 free articles each month, but after that you will be asked to become a digital subscriber. However, all Times articles linked from The Learning Network, as well as The Learning Network itself, are free. That means you can use any of the articles we have linked to on this blog for the editorial contest without exceeding the 10-article limit.
- Use at least one non-Times source. Make sure, however, that the source you use is a reliable one.
- Always cite your sources. If you found evidence in an article on the Internet, link to it. If you used a print source, state the title and author, linking to additional information about it if possible. Readers (and judges) should always know where you got your evidence.
- Be concise. The editorial must be no more than 450 words. Your list of sources is separate, however, and does not count as part of your 450-word limit.
- Have an opinion. Editorials are different from news articles because they try to persuade readers to share your point of view. Don’t be afraid to take a stand.
- Be original and use appropriate language. Write for a well-informed audience, but include enough background information to give context. Be careful not to plagiarize: Use quotation marks around lines you use verbatim from another source, or rephrase and cite your source.
- Submissions must be from students who are 13 to 19 years old, though students can come from anywhere in the world. No last names please, but an initial is fine, as is a school or class code of some type. (For example, “Ethan G. CHS112.”
- All entries must be submitted by March 9, 2015, at 7 a.m. Eastern time as comments on this post. If you have questions about the contest, please feel free to post them in the comments section as well, and we’ll answer you there.