Persuasive Op-ed Essay – ENGL 110

Topic: What, exactly, is an Op-Ed? According to Trish Hall who is the former New York Times Op-Ed and Sunday Review, “Anything can be an Op-Ed! Personal or explanatory essays, commentary on news events, reflections on cultural trends and more.” Specifically, an op-ed is a writing that is opposite the editorial page in a newspaper devoted to commentary, feature articles, etc. Op-eds appear in popular newspapers and news outlets like the New York Times and CNN, local newspapers like The Virginian Pilot, and satirical sources like The Onion and The New Yorker. Op-ed topics vary with popular essays including Cameron Kasky’s, “Parkland student: My generation won’t stand for this,” Amandla Stenberg’s “Don’t’ Cash Crop my Corn rolls,” and Michael D’Antonio’s “What Ivanka’s smile can’t hide.”

Audience: Consider using rhetorical devices and sources that speak to those in your field of study or another peer group—such as those affected by your issue—as your audience.

Purpose:  Like the previous required essay assignments for English 110, completion of the Op-ed essay is an opportunity to demonstrate your:

• Rhetorical knowledge;
• Critical thinking, reading, and information literacy skills;
• Effective strategies for drafting texts;
• Knowledge of conventions;
• Critical reflection on further development and application of writing skills.

Task Guidelines, and Criteria: 800 (two page) essay that features incorporation direct reference of three primary and secondary sources and a works cited page. The topic of your op-ed essay will be based on a personal perspective or thought about a local or national issue hinged on a news story or event. Be prepared to work through multiple drafts as a way to recognize the role of reflecting, revising, and editing in the writing process as well as engaging in the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes, such as learning to give and to act on productive feedback to works in progress, both by and with peers and in one-on-one instructor conferences

• Sh#tty First Draft Due: 
• Peer Review Draft Due:
• Polished Draft Due:
• Final Draft Due (in E-Portfolio):