week of October 20

Wednesday 10/22 - Editorial analysis for those who did not bring it in on Monday; book recommendations for our class book

Friday 10/24 - Rough draft of public commentary piece (see below); bring in one copy for your peer reviewer

Writing a "Public Commentary"
Draft Due: October 24, 2008
Final Due: October 28, 2008


Write an in-depth commentary on a particular issue of controversy or interest related to your experience as a student in our community (Syracuse, MPH).

For this essay you must report in-depth on the issues and differing viewpoints related to a topic of public controversy or interest. You must give indication in the essay that you are knowledgeable about your topic and are familiar with opposing and supporting views on the subject.

You essay can address the same topic of your Reading Response #2, or you can choose another. Topics can be of national, statewide, or even local interest.

Your draft should be 900-1500 words (3-5 pages) long, typed format, and double-spaced. Please don’t forget to bring extra copies of your draft when it is due.

Reader Response #2 Assignment - Editorial

College Writing
Reading Response No. 2

Due: Monday, October 20th (final)
There will be no draft or peer-edit for this assignment

Your job for Response #2 is to track down a magazine or newspaper editorial, read it, and then offer your critical summary of the writer's argument, giving an outline of his/her main structure and your opinion as to the effectiveness and validity of the writer's opinions.

For Response #2 you will need to do the job of finding an editorial on a subject that may interest you from a published source, such as a newspaper or magazine.

Some examples of these might include:

* An editorial from the Syracuse Post-Standard about some issue of local interest
* An editorial from a large city newspaper--the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, or the Boston Globe, etc.--on a general national or region-wide topic of concern
* An editorial from a special interest magazines like a sports magazine (Sports Illustrated) or an entertainment magazine (Entertainment Weekly, Premiere), or something else (Gourmet)

Keep in mind two or three different possibilities before picking the one you will use.
No matter what you choose, your editorial needs to
* Have an argument,
* Be from a reputable magazine or newspaper source (even if online)
* Be at least 5 paragraphs long

When analyzing and commenting on the editorial in your response, you may wish to pay particular attention to the following:

* What is the author's "evidence." How does the author back up opinions? What evidence does the author offer to substantiate his or her ideas? Any background information, facts? Statistics, etc.? Does the writer overly rely on personal experience?
* Is the author fair to the opposing side? Does the author accurately state the opposing view even though the author may disagree?
* Is the argument well-organized, logical, or clearly stated? Can you outline or list the author's main points? Can you sum-up the point in one or two sentences?
* Avoid devoting space on YOUR opinion about the topic. Remember, your primary job is to summarize the argument of the editorial.

Your summary should be about 600 words (about 2 pages). Try to organize your own thoughts in your response as much as possible. Your response should be typed format, and double-spaced. Please staple your editorial to your exploration when you turn it in.

Weekend Update!!! and a request...

as per our group discussion on Thursday, the Reader Response #2 paper dates have changed. You are still required to find an editorial and critique it.

Monday - rough draft of RR#2 due;
Wednesday - Final draft due

Also - I am looking into our Dec-Jan syllabus and I feel strongly that our class would benefit from reading a book together. There is a catch, however. YOU need to research and suggest a novel that you feel would be a) of interest to the class and b) have some educational/literary substance. I have some ideas, but I would truly like the class to suggest and then choose a book for the last month or so of class. What do you think?

Thesis Statements

For more information on developing a thesis, visit:

Purdue OWL's Thesis or Question

Harvard University's Developing a Thesis

Indiana University's How to Write a Thesis

Northwestern University Writing Center's Developing a Thesis

University of Wisconsin's Developing a Thesis Statement

Dartmouth's Developing a Thesis

Hunter College's Developing a Thesis

Hamilton College's Introductions and Thesis Statements

Capital Community College's The Thesis Statement

Developing a Thesis Statement http://english.ttu.edu/uwc/thesis.html

Using Thesis Statements (U. Toronto) http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/thesis.html

Write Place: Thesis Statement http://english.ttu.edu/uwc/thesis.html

October 6th

Just a friendly reminder that you are to bring in your rough draft and enough copies for your peer group. I do understand that many of you are busy with SATs this weekend, but make a conscientious effort to write at least 1-2 pages.

You may not come to class saying you have to go print it out and make copies. If you do, you will NOT get homework credit.