3.9 How to Write an Editorial
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of California, Berkeley *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
101
Subject
Communications
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by UltraVulture4086
Returning to the Text
1. Describe O’Connell’s diction and the tone it creates. How do his word choice
and syntax reflect his position as California State Superintendent of Public
Instruction?
O'Connell's diction is formal, and it creates a serious tone. His word choice and
syntax reflected his position as the California State Superintendent of Public
Instruction in such a way that he did not use colloquialisms or slang in the editorial,
as it would be deemed inappropriate not only for his position but also for the subject
matter of the editorial.
2. Find an example of a counterargument in O’Connell’s editorial. How does he
respond to it?
An example of a counterargument in O'Connell's editorial is the argument that
vocational education programs will be eliminated in the process of improving the
high school curriculum. He responded to this by saying that instead of eliminating
vocational education programs, they would only improve with the high school
curriculum. Because he will be collaborating with businesses or labor unions to
expand the programs through the career partnership academies.
3. What text evidence addresses O’Connell’s claim that minorities are
disproportionately underserved by the low difficulty level of their academic
coursework? Is the evidence objective and valid or subjective and
unconvincing? Explain.
The text evidence that supports O'Connell's claim that minorities are disproportionately
underserved by the low difficulty level of their academic coursework is that the numbers of
African-American and Latino high school students who said they intend to go to college are
lower compared to those who took the rigorous coursework required for acceptance to the
university, with 24% of African-American graduates and 22% of Latino graduates. The
evidence is subjective and unconvincing, as there is no direct correlation between the lower
number of minorities who said that they would go to college and those who took the
coursework necessary. It seemed that O'Connell simply stated what percentage of the 40%
population is made up of minorities.
Returning to the Text
4. How does Thomas’s diction compare with O’Connell’s? Which writer’s
approach do you feel is more engaging and convincing, and why?
Thomas is very straightforward with his account compared to O'Connell. He
focuses on the evidence of his notions by using real-life examples that will prove his
notions. He does not sugarcoat his words; rather, he is very strong with his beliefs,
and he is very firm in his verdict.
5. Locate the subhead Thomas uses in his editorial. Why does he use it, and how
does it support his argument?
The subhead Thomas used in his editorial could be found in the first paragraph of
the article. He used it to show evidence or proof of how irrelevant it would be for
some jobs to have extra academic subjects. He used it to prove a point, which I think
is very effective.
6. Describe a key idea on which O’Connell and Thomas agree.
They certainly agree on how some subjects could be so irrelevant for vocational
courses and jobs. They think that high school should be a preparatory course for the
course or job the student aspires to have and should not include subjects that are
irrelevant to their chosen career.
Working from the Text
7. Use the chart to organize the annotations you made while you read each
editorial.
Author
Reasons For
Reasons Against
Strongest
Statement of
Position
Jack O’Connell
Raising standards
of education for
high school
students can get
them prepared to
be outstanding in
college and in
future
employment.
High school
students who are
not well prepared
and equipped face
challenges in
college and can
also lead to
problems in future
employment.
Proposing a
high-performing
high school
initiative to raise
expectations for
high school
students.
Nick Thomas
Implementation of
advanced math
and science for
high school
graduation
requirements for
all students is
essential for
students who will
take vocational
courses or
not-related math
and science
courses in college.
It is unnecessary
to require all high
school students to
take advanced
math and science
classes because of
their different
abilities and
preferences in
their future
careers.
It is explained that
a well-rounded
education is ideal
but can be
achieved in many
ways, not just
through
academics.
You
High school
students should be
provided with
proper training
that is according
to their talents and
skills, especially
during senior high
school, not a
general
implementation of
added academic
subjects.
The addition of
additional
academic subjects
for all high school
students should
not be
implemented
during senior high
school because of
the irrelevant
training of some
courses in
preparation for
college.
Ideal Training is
the solution for the
college
preparation of
high school
students in
relation to their
choice of course
and is planned
with careful
implementation
and advancement.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
A Person You
Know
Advanced math
and science are
rightfully
prohibited in the
high school
curriculum to
make high school
students forcefully
study hard and get
ready for college
life.
No additional
advanced math
and science in the
high school
curriculum will
still result in many
incompetent high
school graduates.
To produce
excellent high
school graduates,
students should be
guided and taught
with additional
academics.
Writing Prompt: Argumentative
You have co-written a brief editorial, and you have read two editorials with
opposing views. Now, compose an editorial that responds to your original editorial.
Write from an alternate perspective. Be sure to:
• Introduce and establish the significance of your claim.
• Develop the claim and respond to counterclaims with relevant evidence.
• Establish and maintain a formal style and an objective tone.
In my opinion, Nick Thomas made the strongest case because it determined the
reality-based situation, unlike Jack O'Connell's case, which I believe is based on the ideal
situation. Nick Thomas talked about the different jobs that are needed by our economy; it
explained the actuality of what is happening in every field of employment and that not all
professions need advanced math and science applications. If considering the side of high
school students, I think many students will not agree with the additional academic subjects,
so the case of adding advanced math and science should be carefully planned if it is
necessary, a good decision, or if there are other ways to provide quality high school
graduates.