ENG1D1

Letter to the Editor Assignment

Your first piece of written work for this course will be a Letter to the Editor of Graffiti, the NTCI student newspaper. You will complete the following tasks: PART 1: Critical Literacy Critical literacy involves questioning what we read, hear and see to identify possible biases or stereotypes and to determine if important information or opinions are missing from the articles, television programs or advertisements to which we are exposed. Today you will read Graffiti, the NTCI student newspaper. It contains articles on a variety of issues, topics and events. As you read through the newspaper:

Choose THREE articles (not puzzles, photos or crosswords) that you have some interest in and would like to respond to in some way. Complete the chart below. Under Personal Response, record TWO specific comments or reactions that you had to each article, such as: a) You may give specific reasons why you disagree with the article. b) You may provide additional information or a new perspective on the topic (including your personal experiences). c) You may suggest that the article was inaccurate or incomplete. Personal Response 1.

Article Information Title: Author: Main Idea: Title: Author: Main Idea: Title: Author: Main Idea:

2. 1.

2. 1.

2.

PART 2: What is a Letter to the Editor? A letter to the editor is an opportunity for readers to express their opinions regarding the articles published in newspapers or magazines. These readers are demonstrating critical literacy by questioning and responding to what they have read by presenting new perspectives or additional information on important topics covered by print media. Read the sample letters on pages 186-188 in your Language and Writing text and respond to the questions under Investigating the Models on page 189. In addition, consider which letter is a better example of critical literacy.

PART 3: Write your Letter to the Editor of Graffiti by following the Writing Process

Complete the attached OUTLINE Write a DRAFT of your letter Have a peer EDIT your letter by completing the EDITING WORKSHEET SUBMIT the final copy on _______________________________________. PUBLISH in Graffiti

LETTER TO THE EDITOR OUTLINE OPENING SENTENCE Identify the issue and express your opinion. Include the title, author and date of the article. This is my opening sentence:

BODY OF THE LETTER List the main arguments or points that support your opinion about the issue. Consider the ORDER of your arguments. Include facts, personal examples and stories as evidence to prove each argument. These are my main arguments and supporting pieces of evidence: ARGUMENT #1:

ARGUMENT #2

ARGUMENT #3

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

Conclude with one of the following techniques: a) call to action b) question c) summary of main argument

This is my concluding sentence:

Letter to the Editor Rubric I. READING

Criterion
Understanding of the chosen article and its main ideas

Level 1 Limited

Level 2 Level 3 Adequate Considerable

Level 4 Skillful

Mark

/5

Demonstration of a critical response to the article, by either presenting new perspectives and/or information on the topic

/5

LEVEL ______= II. WRITING

Criterion

/10

Level 1 Limited

Level 2 Level 3 Adequate Considerable

Level 4 Skillful

Mark

Clear statement of opinion & strong supportive arguments Overall structure and organization

/5

/5

LEVEL ______= III. LANGUAGE

Criterion

/10

Level 1 Limited

Level 2 Level 3 Adequate Considerable

Level 4 Skillful

Mark

Style & use of persuasive language Correct spelling, punctuation and use of pronouns

/5 /5

LEVEL ______=

/10