Journalism: Point-Counterpoint,
Editorials, Opinion Pieces
Week 3 // March 10-14, 2014
Lesson Goals
• To understand the opinion function of a
newspaper and the various ways in which it is
expressed.
• To develop a focus for writing and formulate
an opinion.
• To organize evidence to support a position.
• To present evidence clearly and convincingly,
• To support and defend ideas and thoughts.
Draw a line with “yes” and “no”
marked at opposite ends
YES
NO
Indicate your level of agreement with
an “X”
YES
X
NO
Get into groups
• If you agreed, move to the right side of the
room.
• If you disagreed, move to the left side of the
room.
• If you’re undecided, make a decision now and
go to the appropriate side of the room.
What’s your support?
• Each student must have a unique reason for
why they agree or disagree (no two reasons
should be the same, so talk to your team).
• Provide three strong reasons to support your
view.
• You do not need to explain these in depth, but
please have an idea as to why you support this
view.
Point-Counterpoint
• A form of persuasive writing where one writer
offers their opinion and a second writer offers
the opposing view. These are often placed
side-by-side on the editorial page of a
newspaper or magazine (or it may be in
response to something that has already been
written)
How to Organize
Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
Ethical Argument
Yes
No
List your ethical arguments
here
Support For
Support Against
Fairness: to assure
all athletes that
the competition
is fair
Athletes who do not want
to use drugs will not be put
at an unfair advantage by
those who do use drugs.
Such drugs even out the
unfair advantages in sports
that some athletes get
through their genes (they
reduce the effects of the
genetic lottery).
How to Write
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Attention Getter:
Thesis – address the point & counterpoint. For
instance, “Although it may provide a stable
environment for children, adoption robs youth
of the bond between parent and child.”
First Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence:
Primary Support (PS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
Primary Support (PS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
Concluding Sentence:
Second Body Paragraph
(transition) (i.e. Additionally)
Topic Sentence:
Primary Support (PS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
Primary Support (PS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
•
Secondary Support (SS):
Concluding Sentence:
Conclusion
• Create a conclusion based on your argument.
Summarize your views.