Editorials/The Other Wes Moore Quiz; Magazine Project

An editorial is defined as a statement of opinion by a magazine or newspaper editor or a television or radio station. The definition of editorial is related to the content in a newspaper or magazine or something written by an editor—not just any old citizen. Most magazines print an editorial each issue.

In newspapers or magazines, there are usually a “letters to the editor” section where people like you and me can write in and share our opinions of previously written articles. Sometimes editors allow a guest editor or writer to fill this purpose.

Editorials:

·         May criticize or attack the status quo. If they criticize, they often include suggestions for change.

·         May defend or stand up to a powerful institution or an idea under attack by society or others.

·         May compliment a topic, person, or writer (often the editor). Evidence is always used as to why that subject should be complimented.

·         May be used to create an appeal to society, or to persuade readers to take action.

·         May be used to entertain.

·         May be used to predict the future given the circumstances at hand.

All editorials are based on opinion, but use facts to support or persuade an audience to the writer’s way of thinking.

Your TASK:

Write an editorial using The Other Wes Moore as source material.

You may wish to speak out about the problem with absent fathers, or crime, or juvenile delinquency, or how hard it is to grow up a teenager in an urban setting, or any other issue that Wes Moore examines in his book.

Before you begin your editorial, please indicate the theme (and page #) that inspired you from the book. Then skip a line and write your editorial. Use facts, evidence, or text to support your opinions where appropriate. Review the purpose of an editorial above to help you plan and write your editorial.

The editorial quiz is due by end of class today. When you finish, please print out and continue working on your articles for your magazine. If you have all the articles written, please share these with your partner and/or proofread and edit them. Save all your work. When we return from break we will be putting the magazine together. You may also wish to begin designing an ad or two using pictures/graphics of products from the internet.

HOMEWORK: If you have written and completed your 5 articles for your magazine project, you have no homework over the break! Merry Solstice-Xmas-Kwanza-thing! If you haven't finished your work, please complete over break so that you don't just get coal in your stockings this year! This is a major project. We will complete it when we return from winter break by putting the whole thing together in layout and design.