Social Issue Op-Ed

Purpose: To write an op-ed that presents a topic or issue that is currently relevant in society. To
analyze and synthesize news articles with different viewpoints as primary sources into the
argument. To persuade the audience with a professional and intellectual discussion that
incorporates evidence and logical reasoning as support.

California Writing Standards for Grades 11-12:

1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s),

distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that
logically sequences claim(s), counter- claims, reasons, and evidence.
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant
evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner
that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the
text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between
reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and
conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument
presented.
f. Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through
reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or
analogy). CA

The Assignment:

1. You will choose a social topic or issue that is current, relevant, and of interest to you.
Topics and issues can range from immigration, LGBTQ rights, international conflicts, tax
reform, etc.
2. Once you’ve chosen your topic or issue, you will search for online news articles from two
different and opposing sources. News sources include: Time, CNN, FoxNews, CBS
News, The Economist, The LA Times, New York Times, ABC News, BBC News,
Washington Post, Huffington Post, The New Yorker, Life, etc.
3. Then you will annotate your news articles and write any ideas that come to you; if you
find any connections between the articles, note them down. Highlight any words or
phrases that present the social issue in a certain viewpoint or light; identify how the
articles present a particular type of bias, and then begin to brainstorm for your op-ed.
4. After brainstorming and writing a draft, you will be paired up with a partner and present
your social issue and explain the annotations you made on your primary sources. You
and your partner will then proofread and revise each other’s drafts, followed by a
feedback discussion.
5. Your draft will go through two revisions; the first revision done by your partner, and the
second by yourself. As you revise, consider your main argument points, persuasive
writing, hook and structure, clarity, and tone.
 Does your opinion piece have a point that is clearly expressed?
 Does it present both sides of the issue by referring to both of your primary
sources?
 Does it persuade the reader?
 Does is engage the reader right at the beginning? Is there evidence of thoughtful
organization? Does the author summarize the main point at the end?
 Is the piece readily understandable to non-academic readers?
 Is the opinion piece polite and respectful?
6. As you submit the final draft of you op-ed, be sure to include a reference page for your
news articles, as well as the annotations you made during your brainstorming process.

Analysis & 4 3
Annotation: Author has identified two
primary news article
sources from opposing
views on a certain topic,
and has made clear and
connecting notes while
reading through them.
Author has also highlighted
words or phrases in the
news articles that indicate
bias towards the social
issue. The opinion piece
refers to these primary
sources with proper citation
and reference page.
Peer 4 3
Review & Author has presented and
Discussion: effectively explained the
two primary news article
sources; author also created
a draft to share with a
partner in class. The
author’s social issue topic
is clear and makes relevant
sense to the partner. After
peer review, author
engaged in discussion and
feedback with their partner.
The opinion piece draft
went through revision from
both the partner and the
author.
Clear & 4 3
Concise Opinion piece has an
Points: original, well-argued point,
draws the reader into
looking at the topic in a
new way or with new
insight, and the reader can
readily summarize what the
author is saying and why
Persuasive 4 3
Grading Rubric
2 1
Author has found two Only one primary No primary
primary sources that source has been sources from a
generally discuss the used for analysis; news article
chosen social issue, but annotations on the have been
they do not clearly article are vague used or
present two sides of the and incomplete. studied. There
argument. Author has The opinion piece is absolutely
highlighted some words does not attempt no mention of
that connect to the issue. to connect with the sources in
The piece vaguely refers the primary the opinion
to the sources, and there sources. piece.
are a few mistakes on
the reference page.
2 1
Author has provided the Only one primary No draft or
two primary sources and source and an primary source
a draft to share with a incomplete draft have been
partner in class; the are presented to presented to
author’s topic is clear to the partner; the the partner; no
the partner. Author only author’s topic is topic has been
receives peer review, not relevant. Lack decided upon.
but does not engage in of peer review Opinion piece
discussion about the participation; has not gone
writing process. opinion piece has through any
Opinion piece goes not gone through a kind of
through revision by only complete revision. revision or
the author or the partner. proofreading.
2 1
Opinion piece makes a The piece leaves The piece
point that appears readers confused lacks an
original, but the as to what point identifiable
supporting data appear a the author is point; readers
bit muddled; readers are trying to make. are left
left with questions: why The reader cannot confused as to
did the author take this readily summarize what point the
position? the author’s key author is
point or the data making and
supporting the why.
position seem not
to really support
it.
2 1
Argument: A reader comes away from The opinion piece The opinion piece The piece is
reading the piece feeling highlights an important seems mostly a unconvincing;
the author has effectively topic, but it does not personal venting; an unbiased
argued for a certain point; really convince readers the author is not reader would
the author uses concrete as to the value of the reaching out to not find the
examples that resonate with author’s position. readers or trying piece very
readers. to connect with persuasive.
them in a
meaningful way.
Hook & 4 3 2 1
Structure: The main point is Readers are not The piece makes a The author
effectively stated in the immediately drawn into basic point, but never draws
first few sentences; these the argument, but they does not catch the reader into
first few sentences capture are not put off by it one’s attention. It the opinion
the reader’s attention and either. The piece is does not draw the piece; it is not
draw the reader into found reasonable but a reader in at the clear what the
reading further. The author little slow moving, and beginning nor author is
effectively summarizes the does not keep one’s summarize its saying nor
piece’s argument in a attention. The final message at the why it is
strong final paragraph. paragraph does not offer end. important.
a powerful restatement
of the author’s position.
Writing & 4 3 2 1
Clarity: The writing is clear, and The writing is The author tends The reader is
the author’s own voice and reasonable; the to go on too long; left confused
perspective come through sentences and it is not really as to what
in a convincing way; the paragraphs are a bit too clear what point point the
reader can identify with the long or the passive they are making. author is
author and the position voice is emphasized. The author has trying to make.
they take. There are no There is a bit too much long sentences
grammatical mistakes that unnecessary jargon. and paragraphs.
distract from the author’s
argument.
Writing 4 3 2 1
Tone: The opinion piece is polite There is generally a The piece comes The piece is
and respectful in tone; polite tone, but the across as quite similar to a
rather than dismissing the author does not personally political
other side, it acknowledges acknowledge that opinionated and “attack” ad.
its value while disagreeing reasonable people might biased; it appears The author is
with it. It comes across as disagree regarding the the author is pouring out
written by a thoughtful point being made. The “venting” about rage with little
professional versed in the author asserts there is something that concern for
subject being discussed. only one reasonable bothers them. who is reading
position and they are the piece.
presenting it.

Total Points: / 28