Mrs. Opaleski-DiMeo – AP Language

Writing for Real Audiences

Overview of the Assignment

  1. Revise your rhetorical speech from January by adding in elements of argumentation we have discussed in this unit such as organization (model), use of appeals, tone, style etc. If your original purpose was to inform, change it to be persuasive in nature.
  2. Research and complete an audience analysis of a magazine, newspaper or other media source that would be interested in your topic (note whether it is the online version or print)–see the section below for requirements.
  3. Follow your media’s requirements on length, submission policy (signing and giving contact information, etc) – typically a page or so.
  4. Use effective argumentation skills but in a real world situation – use rhetoric but REMEMBER WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS!
  5. Complete the self-evaluation section below and submit it with your final copy to Turnitin.com.
  6. Please bring in a hard copy of the article if you’d like me to mail it for you.

Audience Analysis

Answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences.

1. What kind of people speak/write in this newspaper, magazine etc.? What are their credentials? Academic or professional backgrounds?

2. Why does this magazine exist (to entertain, persuade, educate, discuss, inform, present research findings, question earlier studies, add to those earlier studies)? How can you tell? Be specific.

3. What do the cover stories and other articles suggest about the interests, values, assumptions, and concerns of those readers? You might want to look at back issues of the newspaper, magazine, etc. to see if there is a pattern.

4. Examine the pictures included in articles and advertisements. What races, genders, ages, classes, etc are represented the most? What are people in these pictures doing? How does that relate to the media’s purpose?

5. How much education do most of the readers of this magazine have? How do you know this?

6. What kinds of stories (articles, information) does this magazine contain? What's (or who's) left out? Why do you think that is?

7. What are some of the rules for writing in this magazine? Examine basic stylistic stuff: do they introduce people as Mr. or Mrs.? Do writers in this magazine use primarily last names, first names, or nicknames? How do they cite their sources of quotes and information? Do they use contractions (aren'trather thanare not)? Do they use slang? Do they use sentence fragments, subheadings, pictures, graphs, bullets, etc? Do they write mostly in first, second, or third person? What specialized language is used (jargon, technical terms, formal or standard English, slang)? Summarize your findings in a paragraph.

8. Do writers assume their readers will know certain things (like names of important people, background into important events, works, movements)? What kinds of background information would you need to fully engage in a conversation with this magazine's readers?

Self-Evaluation

  1. Did you incorporate an argumentation model? Why or why not? Defend your omission or inclusion of a model in 3-5 sentences
  2. Based on your audience analysis of the media you selected, who is your target audience? What made you choose this format/venue? Be specific.
  3. HOW did you choose what to cut (meaning what went into your decision to cut specific sections of your speech)? Discuss your thought process/strategy in 3-5 sentences.
  4. What was the largest revision you made? Be specific and defend your revision in 3-5 sentences.
  5. How different is your “real” audience based argument from your original rhetorical speech? Explain in 3-5 sentences.

Writing to elected officials

It is important that we tell elected officials where we stand on issues. Our input on clean water, education, gay marriage, and other issues shapes the way our representatives create and implement environmental and social policy.

Emails, postcards, and phone calls are good communication tools, but letters are the most effective and persuasive way of communicating our views to elected officials.

These tips will help you write a persuasive letter:

  • Keep it short.
    Limit your letter to one page/ Adhere to the length requirement of the paper/magazine and write about only one issue.
  • Identify yourself and the issue.
    In the first paragraph of your letter state who you are and what issue you are writing about. If you are referring to a specific bill, identify it by number (e.g. H.R. 2372 or S. 1287).
  • Focus on your main points.
    Choose the three strongest points to support your argument and develop them clearly. Too much information can distract from your position.
  • Make it personal.
    Tell your legislator why the issue matters to you and how it affects you, your family, and your community. Make a connection to the legislator. Did/Will you vote for her?
  • Ask for a reply.
    Include your name and address on both your letter and envelope.
  • Trust your voice.
    Be polite and take a firm position in your letter. Be confident in your understanding of the issue and remember that the legislator may know less than you. Thank elected officials when they vote the way you want.

Writing a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor are one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper and reach a large audience. They allow community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed in the media and to influence what topics the local paper covers. Elected officials often monitor this section of the newspaper and take notice of constituents' opinions.

Due to strict space limitations in newspapers, not all letters will be published, but the more letters the newspaper receives on a certain topic, the more likely they are to run at least one letter on the topic. Check the letter guidelines in your local paper and use these tips to write an effective letter to the editor:

  • Keep it short and focused.
    Many newspapers have strict length limits and edit letters for space. A concise, single-issue letter has a better chance of retaining its salient points and keeping the reader's interest.
  • Make specific references.
    While some newspapers will print general commentary letters, most prefer letters that respond to a specific article. Here are some ways to refer to an article:

"I was impressed by the comprehensive logging solution outlined in the May 5th article, 'Sustainable Logging on a Roll.'"

"I strongly disagree with Senator Baker's position against increased fuel economy standards 'To be or SUV' June 22)."

  • Be factual and highlight aspects of the issue that haven’t been previously addressed.
  • Include your contact information.
    Many newspapers will only publish a letter to the editor after verifying the author’s contact information. When printed, the letter will usually only include your name and city.
  • Type your letter and sign it.
  • Send letters to smaller newspapers.
    Small newspapers are more likely to print your letter and the letter can then spark local community action.

How to Write an Op-Ed

Op-eds are longer than letters to the editor, and there is more competition for space. You may want to call the paper for length requirements (usually 600-800 words).

Try to write on a controversial issue being covered at that time. If you can use a professional title that suggests authority, do so. If you work for an organization, get permission to sign the op-ed as a representative of that organization.

Feel free to send it to papers far from where you live, but avoid sending it to two newspapers in the same "market." (Sending to the San Francisco Examiner and the Seattle Times is OK, but not to the Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle.) "National" newspapers like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor and USA Today generally do not accept op-eds that are also being offered to other papers. But you can easily submit the same piece to five or ten local dailies in different regions—greatly increasing your chances of being published.

Assure the op-ed editor in your cover letter that the piece has not been submitted to any other paper in their market. If, on the other hand, you sent it to only one paper, let that paper know you are offering them an exclusive.

In writing op-eds, avoid excessive rhetoric. State the subject under controversy clearly. You are trying to persuade a middle-of-the-road readership. If you rely on facts not commonly found in mainstream media, cite your sources.

Try to think of a catchy title. If you don't, the paper will be more likely to run its own—which may not emphasize your central message. (Even if you do write your own headline, don't be surprised if it appears under a different one.)

Be prepared to shorten and re-submit your article as a letter to the editor in case it does not get accepted as an op-ed.

Overall Writing Tips for An Audience Specific Argument.

  • Make your letter timely. If you are not addressing a specific article, editorial or letter that recently appeared in the paper you are writing to, then try to tie the issue you want to write about to a recent event.
  • Familiarize yourself with the coverage and editorial position of the paper to which you are writing. Refute or support specific statements, address relevant facts that are ignored, but do avoid blanket attacks on the media in general or the newspaper in particular.
  • Check the letter specifications of the newspaper to which you are writing. Length and format requirements vary from paper to paper. (Generally, roughly two short paragraphs are ideal.) You also must include your name, signature, address and phone number.
  • Look at the letters that appear in your paper. Is a certain type of letter usually printed?
  • Support your facts. If the topic you address is controversial, consider sending documentation along with your letter. But don't overload the editors with too much info.
  • Find others to write letters when possible. This will show that other individuals in the community are concerned about the issue. If your letter doesn't get published, perhaps someone else's on the same topic will.
  • Monitor the paper for your letter. If your letter has not appeared within a week or two, follow up with a call to the editorial department of the newspaper.
  • Write to different sections of the paper when appropriate. Sometimes the issue you want to address is relevant to the lifestyle, book review or other section of the paper.
  • An increasing number of broadcast news programs (60 Minutes, All Things Considered, etc.) also solicit and broadcast "letters to the editor." Don't forget these outlets.
  • Please sign your letters as an individual or representative of a community group.