COMM\/FILM\/PCUL 2F00: New Media Literacy
\nFor this assignment you will write an editorial response to Jon Ronson?s
\npiece, \u201cHow One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco?s Life.\u201d1
\n750-1000 words
\nThe purpose of the assignment is to compose a persuasive response to
\nRonson?s piece based on your opinion and with support from facts. It is
\nan exercise in concise and persuasive writing.
\nUpload your assignment via Sakai. Go to \u201eAssignment Submission &
\nFeedback?, click on Assignment 2, and click \u201eAdd Attachments?. You will
\nupload your assignment as a single file.
\nALL files must be uploaded as either a .doc or a .pdf file.
\nMac users: – you can convert a Pages document into a word .doc by
\ngoing to the menu bar and choosing: \u201eFile? \u2013 \u201eExport?\u2013 \u201eWord?
\nFiles that cannot open and\/or incorrect files will receive a grade of 0.
\nWe will not be tracking down assignments.
\nCheck and double check to ensure that the file is attached and
\nthe correct file was submitted. After submitting, definitely review
\nyour submission so you can see\/confirm the file was submitted.
\nIt is your responsibility to ensure that you have uploaded your file
\ninto Sakai. You have a maximum of 5 re-submission attempts
\nBEFORE the deadline passes.
\nLate assignments will receive a grade of 0.
\nAssignments sent via e-mail will receive a grade of 0.
\n1
\nhttp:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/02\/15\/magazine\/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html?smid=fbshare&_r=0
\n2
\nA GUIDE TO THE EDITORIAL
\nWhat is an editorial?
\n? Generally speaking, an editorial is a letter or an opinion published in a newspaper.
\n? Editorials can be written about anything and from any standpoint. A strong editorial
\nincorporates facts to support opinions.
\n? The New York Times publishes three to four editorials a day. You can access them
\nhere.
\n2
\n? As you read through a few editorials consider, the following questions:
\no What is the opinion\/call to action in the editorial?
\no What evidence is used to make\/support its argument?
\no How persuasive is it? Is it effective?
\no What do you notice about the language and tone of the editorial?
\nHow do I begin?
\n? Start by reading Ronson?s piece a few times.
\n? As you?re reading it, think through the following queries: What is\/are the central
\nargument(s) presented by Ronson? What facts are used to support these? What are
\npotential gaps or weaknesses in the argument?
\n? If there are things (references, words, etcetera) you?re unfamiliar with in the editorial,
\nlook them up. Understand Ronson’s piece inside out: understand it very deeply.
\n? Ask yourself: What stands out for me? What do I find interesting? What angers or
\nexcites me? Do I agree with Ronson?s take on the issue(s)? What is my take?
\n? The focus of your editorial is for you to decide.
\n? You might base your editorial on the Sacco case, or one of the other examples Ronson
\nmentions, or, you might want to share your opinion on public shaming on social media.
\n? The editorial is based on your opinion, but opinion(s) must be supported by facts. Your
\nfacts must be drawn from outside sources: this means you must find sources other than
\nRonson’s editorial. There is not a set number of outside sources that you need to find:
\nsources can vary considerably in quality. You must cite the sources you use in a citation
\nstyle such as APA, MLA, or Chicago Style. You must cite all borrowings.
\n2 http:\/\/topics.nytimes.com\/top\/opinion\/editorialsandoped\/editorials\/index.html
\n3
\nDevelop a \u2018thesis\u2019
\n? Please don?t get bogged down by the word ‘thesis’.
\n? Think of the thesis as the main point(s)\/arguments of your editorial. Ask yourself: what
\nopinion(s) am I persuading my reader towards?
\n? You need to have a clear sense of your thesis before your begin writing.
\nBackground Information
\n? Once you decide on your main point(s)\/arguments, you will need to do some background
\nresearch to support your opinion(s).
\n? For instance, perhaps you disagree with Ronson?s treatment of public shaming on social
\nmedia. What points do you disagree with specifically? What is your take on these
\npoints? Use facts to support your opinion\/argument.
\n? Alternatively, you might agree with Ronson?s examination of public shaming on social
\nmedia. What points do you agree with specifically? Why these points? How can you
\nexpand on these points in support of Ronson? To do this you will need to bring in
\nadditional facts in support of your agreement with Ronson, drawn from outside sources.
\n? Think of it this way: facts support your opinion, and build a persuasive argument for your
\nreader. While there is no specific number of outside sources that you need to seek out
\nand use in your editorial (and we will not answer questions on the subject of whether you
\nhave \u201eenough? sources: sources can vary considerably in terms of their quality, so we
\ncannot tell you whether what you have gathered is enough, or good enough, sources) it
\nis indeed expected that you find sources and cite them. I would suggest that you gather
\nas many facts as is necessary in order to make your argument a highly persuasive one.
\nEDITORIAL STRUCTURE
\n? A good editorial presents a clear position that is strongly and persuasively argued.
\n? A good editorial is organized. Plan its structure in advance.
\n? A good editorial is succinct: it is clearly expressed, easily understood, and to the point.
\n? Write clearly, integrate facts with your opinion(s) and adhere to spelling and grammar.
\n? Your editorial will have an original title created by you, something other than \u201cEditorial\u201d
\nor \u201cAssignment 2.\u201d Think of a title that grabs attention and captures your piece’s spirit.
\n? The New York Times?s editorial page editor Andrew Rosenthal provides seven tips for
\nwriting an effective editorial.
\n3 Listen very closely to what Rosenthal says in the video.
\n3 http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/video\/opinion\/100000002691088\/how-to-write-an-editorial.html
\n4
\nIntroduction
\n? Briefly summarize the Ronson piece in a few sentences.
\n? Explain how your editorial offers points of departure from Ronson (in other words,
\nexplain the ways your editorial is different than his), creating an original argument.
\n? Briefly explain the focus of your piece. What is its point? Why should your reader
\ncontinue reading?
\n? Your introduction is meant to hook the reader and draws them into your editorial.
\nBody
\n? The body of the editorial should develop 2-3 main points\/arguments. Each of these 2-3
\nmain points\/arguments is to be presented as a separate paragraph.
\n? Each point\/argument must be clearly outlined and supported by facts (from sources).
\n? Organize your points from weakest to strongest. Your points get stronger as you go on.
\nConclusion
\n? In a few sentences, briefly reiterate the main arguments of your editorial. A reiteration
\nis not a restatement: you are not just repeating yourself – you are emphasizing clearly.
\n? Your conclusion is one last attempt to convince the reader of your \u201ethesis? (i.e. the
\nmain point\/argument of your editorial). You are making a last attempt to win them over.
\n? At the end, you want to keep the reader hooked and offer them something: a call to
\naction, food for thought, or a contextualization of the argument in a larger context.
\nWorks Cited
\n? Please cite the sources of the \u201efacts? used in the editorial. You must cite. A
\nBibliography\/Works Cited page, and in-text citations, must both be provided.
\n? Follow a style guide that you?re familiar with (i.e. APA, MLA, Chicago Style).
\n? For further information on citation styles, see the listing of different styles on
\nthe left hand side of http:\/\/researchguides.library.brocku.ca\/styleguides
\n? For help from the Brock library (such as help via phone, email, or chat), go to
\nhttps:\/\/brocku.ca\/library\/help-lib
\n? For other forms of assistance, visit the Student Development Centre at
\nhttps:\/\/brocku.ca\/learning-services\/student-services
\n5
\nGRADING RUBRIC
\nA
\nTop of the class.
\nThe editorial covers all that is specified and does so with clarity and precision.
\nThere is a logical progression of opinion, ideas and information.
\nFacts are incorporated to support opinions\/arguments.
\nThe writing is clear, and the editorial is organized and engaging.
\nB
\nThe editorial covers all that is specified.
\nThere is a progression of opinion, ideas and information, but the structure is loose.
\nFacts are incorporated to support opinions\/arguments.
\nThe writing is clear, but riddled with minor errors.
\nC
\nThe editorial somewhat covers what is specified.
\nThe presentation of opinion, ideas and information requires more focus and detail.
\nFacts are incorporated to support opinions\/arguments.
\nThe structure of the editorial is disorganized and riddled with errors.
\nD
\nThe editorial disregards the requirements.
\nThe presentation of opinion, ideas and information is unfocused and lacks detail.
\nFew facts are incorporated to support opinions.
\nThe structure of the editorial is disorganized and riddled with errors.
\nF
\nThe assignment does not meet basic acceptability expectations in multiple
\nways. Such lack of due effort and\/or lack of due adherence to instructions
\nmerits failure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COMM\/FILM\/PCUL 2F00: New Media Literacy For this assignment you will write an editorial response to Jon Ronson?s piece, \u201cHow One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco?s Life.\u201d1 750-1000 words The purpose of the assignment is to compose a persuasive response Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-241669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241669\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}