+ EDITORIALS

+ Current Events Title Interesting fact or quote What moral question(s) does the story address Who does the story impact Publication info Local/National/International

+ Journal Choose 1 and respond. Should students be required to take drug tests? Do attractive people have advantages others don’t‘? Does Pop Culture deserve serious study?

+ What is an Editorial?? An editorial is a piece of writing that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. It is usually unsigned (compared to a letter?) Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated/argumentative news story.

+ Editorials Have: 1. Introduction, body, and conclusion like other news stories 2. A focus on topics that are up to date and interesting. 3. Arguments from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses 4. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities, and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion. punch.

+ Editorials Have: 5. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro- active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions. 6. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's argument. Give it some punch.

+ Libel and Bias

+ Using the Wrong Tools Libel and Bias are two tools that are sometimes used in writing that mislead the reader. They are tools that shouldn't be used and writers can be in BIG trouble for using them.

+ Libel *Based on the picture, what do you think libel means?

+ Libel Libel: A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation. Remember libel and slander? Libel is written and slander is spoken information that is damaging to a person’s reputation.

+ Georgia Teen Sues Two Classmates for Facebook Libel After reading article, turn to a partner and answer these two questions on scrap paper: Explain why this would be considered libel? How was this girls reputation “defamed?”

+ Libel More examples of libel: Examples: If the trial is still in process, the writer may say, “O.J. Simpson allegedly killed two people.” Only AFTER the trial has ended with a final judgment can the writer say, “O.J. Simpson is guilty of killing two people. If the interviewee said, “I accidentally ran over a skunk once,” but the article reports that he is a skunk tormentor, the writing is libelous. If the source that the writer consulted in forming his opinion reads, “People with brown hair cry more often than those with blonde hair,” but the writer reported that “People with brown hair are generally depressed,” the writer may be accused of libel.

+ BIAS: *Based on the pictures below and previous knowledge, what do you think bias means?

+ Bias A feeling or preference against something for unjust or silly reasons.

+ Bias Examples of bias: People named Sally are juvenile and immature. It’s okay to abuse animals with stripes, but not spotted animals. She’s at the top of her class in school, therefore she’s a geek.

+ Libel and Bias Foldable Activity Libel: your own definition, picture, two examples Bias: your own definition, picture, two examples

+ Different purposes of editorials Editorials Persuade Explain Criticize Praise Honor, commend, or congratulate Convince the reader to follow a particular way of thinking on an issue. Interpret for readers the meaning or significance of an event or situation. Gets readers to see problem and not solution

+ HOMEWORK Bring an example of an EDITORIAL to class tomorrow! May be from a newspaper or magazine (if online print out)

+ Editorial Questions: 1. Title of article: 2. What is the issue the author is addressing? 3. What is the position/opinion of the author on the issue? 4. What is your personal opinion on this issue?

+ Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor are found in newspapers. They are written by members of the public, instead of newspaper staff, and give somebody’s opinion about a current issue. Letters to the Editor have a similar structure to other argumentative forms of writing. While the public can submit letters to the editor in any form they wish, we are going to stick with good argumentative form to ensure that our points are made clear!

+ Outline for a Letter to the Editor Salutation/GreetingIntro with ThesisArgument ConclusionPersonal Details Like a speech, letters must have a salutation. Though it won’t be spoken, it is still labeled a salutation. Example: “Dear Editor,” Letters to the Editor are usually written in response to a previous editorial, or a current issue. In the OPENING STATEMENT, the writer gives the details of what they’re referring to as well as their opinion. Ex: “In response to Wayne Smith’s letter ‘Nurseries are to blame for rainforest weeds’, I wish to say that I agree with him.” Add 1 foreign phrase… DETAILS, such as your full name, address and phone number. Most newspapers won’t print a letter unless the writer provides their personal details.

+ Respond Respond to the editorial you brought in today by writing a Letter to the Editor.

+ My Editorial Outline 1. Intro: Hook, Introduce topic, Complex Thesis (points 1,2,3) 2. Body 1: 1 st point from complex thesis and at least 1 source (can be fake) 3. Body 2: 2 nd point from complex thesis and at least 1 source (can be fake) 4. Body 3: 3 rd point from complex thesis and at least 1 source (can be fake) 5. Conclusion: Restate thesis, closing statements USE AT LEAST 2 OF THE FOREIGN PHRASES

+ Editorial Links m m om=stnv2

+ Review Question What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

+ Thesis Statements: Simple Thesis Statement: Simply your topic and your opinion about it. Complex Thesis Statement: Your topic, your opinion, and the three reasons why you think that.

+ Chart of Topics As a class we will create a chart of topics and various ideas for argument within those topics SportsReligion… Ideas for Arguments

+ Thesis Statements Pick 3 topics: Write a thesis statement and 3 reasons why you believe that thesis for 3 different topics.

+ Annotating My Editorial Please create a key (colors, shapes, etc…) and annotate for the following parts of your editorial: Intro Body 1 Body 2 Body 3 Conclusion Lead Thesis statement 3 points inside of thesis 2 foreign phrases (may have more) Transitions