Assignment 4: The Letter to the Editor Assignment

EngC 1011 University Writing and Critical Reading

Kevin L. Callahan

EngC 1011 Writing Instructor

call0031@tc.umn.edu

(612) 623-7685

The reading for next week is the last half of Chapter 54 "Writing Argumentative Papers Across the Disciplines" i.e., pages 813-836.

Educational Goals:

Educated writers should be able to write well in a variety of public forums and know how to address diverse audiences. Writing a letter to the editor involves persuasively arguing a public position. University trained writers should be able to identify and think critically about the various types of arguments regularly seen in written media, spot any fallacies in reasoning, clearly articulate a position with support, and be able to respond in writing to important public issues.

Letter to the Editor (2 pages). Writing persuasively as a citizen in a democracy.

Topics may include any of a variety of current public issues. Examples of "public issues" include (but are not limited to) such topics as using cell phones while driving, the ethics of animal research at the U of M and the ethics of animal rights activism, problems with campus buildings, inadequate gun safeties on Winchester Model 94 rifles before 1991, the need to enforce existing laws to decrease bicycle accidents with pedestrians on campus, the effectiveness of the anti-tobacco commercials in Minnesota, the problem of alcohol abuse at campus social events, parking problems at the U of M, etc.

The Final Draft of Letters to the Editor should be posted on the Class Bulletin on or before the due date and should be emailed to a publisher e.g. The Minnesota Daily, City Pages, Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Women's Press, The Pulse, etc.

Assigned: Tuesday, January 30, 2001.

Course Points: 40 points

DUE DATES:

First Draft: Tuesday, February 6 (3 copies).

Pre-grading Second Draft: Thursday February 8.

Final Draft: Tuesday, February 13 (including posting to the Class Bulletin Board and e-mailing a publisher).