summarize an editorial
or this assignment, you will summarize an editorial (opinion) piece found using the Internet. Then, you will write a letter to the editor in response to the editorial. It is not necessary to respond to every point in the editorial—and probably not possible. You may respond to only one point if you wish.
Note: Since this is a personal response, you may write in first person by using “I” in your writing.
Directions
Assignment Submission
Your letter to the editor has two parts: a summary of the editorial and a strong response. For the potential for full credit for this assignment, you must do four things:
Summarize the editorial in 150-175 words. Be sure you present the thesis and the major supporting points in an objective manner (i.e. do not insert your opinions).
Identify the editorial and author in the first sentence of your summary and include the link for your readers.
Write a response to the editor in 250-300 words. In your response, you may agree with one or two points, but you must also show how you “resist” the text by questioning it, or arguing with it or refuting it. It may be helpful to think of your response as a reaction to how the writer was trying to influence your thinking. Pay attention to the words used to name and describe, the details included, and any comparisons made. (The letter-to-the-editor format assumes readers have read the article, so you do not need to summarize it in the letter.)
Correctly use attributive tags in your response to indicate which ideas came from the press release and which are your own.
