Writing an Opinion Article

Hi all,

Now that you know all of the theories (linked in PPTs in previous posts if you need reminding, and all of the relevant theory is laid out in you booklets) you're going to have another go at writing opinion articles today. This one I am going to take in and mark and you'll have a week to finish it off (make sure you print it out).

First of all, read this article from the Guardian. Do a very quick analysis of key features you think would be good to ‘steal’ from this article, e.g. controversial headline. Click here for a few more ideas. Click here for a few more features, and to see my example of a gender opinion article.

This is a task which you will need to do in your second Language exam. You will be given 2 articles, linked by topic, discussing some aspect of language. Your job will be to write an article which responds to the two you have read, and apply your knowledge of theory for a non-specialist audience (see my example for how to do this effectively i.e. my reference to Deborah Tannen).

Some examples of effective headlines

You will do well in the opinion article part of the course if you read lots of opinion articles and relevant news stories yourself. Make a start on this by reading the opinion articles at the back of your gender booklets.

Any questions, let me know!




Links to relevant PPT:

Problems with Lakoff & Dominance
Tannen
Cameron & Hyde