Opinions and Editorials
Module 1, Activity 4.3 - Characteristics of an Editorial
Student Page
(teacher lesson for this page)

Task One - Persuasion
To begin, your teacher or another student from the class is going to choose a current issue that he/she is knowledgeable about. You will be involved in a game called Devil's Advocate. During the game your teacher will take one side of the issue, and the class will be responsible for arguing the other side of the issue. You will need to raise your hand to speak and the teacher will have the chance to argue after each of the student points.

During the game, which will last approximately 10 minutes, you are also responsible for keeping track of as many of the arguements as you can. Using a sheet of looseleaf divided in half, jot down the arguments being made by each side.

At the end of the game, participate in the discussion that revolves around seeing both sides of an issue when trying to persuade others.

Task Two - Characteristics of an Editorial
Take down the following notes on the characteristics of an editorial. An editorial will:

1. Be brief (approx. 400-500 words)
2. Only address one topic
3. Attract/interest the reader
4. Express clearly, at the beginning, the writer's opinion
5. Indicate thorough knowledge of the subject
6. Provide details adequate to support his/her knowledge

Objectives:

You will be able to
- recognize various types and functions of editorial material
- determine and plan a project in one area of journalism

Task Two - Notes Continued . . .
7. Follow an organizational plan
8. Suggest a solution to the problem or issue and possibly offer a means of implementation.

Task Three - Evaluating an Editorial
Get into groups of 3-4. Using the editorials you read at the town meeting, or others that have been provided, your group will evaluate each of 3 editorials using a sample evaluation.

Be prepared to discuss your rankings each of your articles.

Task Four - Preparing to Write
In order to begin preparing to write your own editorial, it is important to do some pre-writing. You may have already completed a letter to the editor (Lesson 2.8 - Writing Process) which you might want to use as a jumping point for your editorial. As that only gives you one idea, you will complete the following brainstorming activity.