Opinion Writing Challenge

Opinion Writing Challenge
Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper calling attention to a positive aspect or event which occurred in the past three days on your school campus. 100-300 words

I do send 5 or 6 of the best letters to the paper.  It is always interesting to see which letter the paper selects to publish.

Movie Review

This is another worksheet that I've had so long I have no clue where it originated.  I think it was part of a curriculum exchange at a JEA convention years ago.  Nevertheless, it has some valuable points on writing movie reviews.  Enjoy!

Movie Review

Restaurant Review Prompt

The best food in Arkansas is served in the worst looking restaurants.....this is a prompt I use to begin my unit on review writing.  It is a lead from an article in Gourmet from August 2004.  The beginning writers seem to relate well to the concept and can usually produce some very creative reviews.  Plus, you get to read about local dives that may be hidden culinary gems.

A Tip For The Editor

Editors sometimes need to put cub reporters on a mini-deadline schedule in order to show them the way to time management.  The schedule linked below will assist any yearbook or newspaper editor struggling with newbie reporters.  Be patient, take the reporter's learning level and writing capabilities into consideration; yet, stress the value of meeting a deadline.

Show Them The Way

Portfolios

Each student on staff is required to keep a portfolio.  This is an on-going assignment that yeilds a hefty collection of writing and design elements before the student graduates.  Last week, I had a young lady who is now a junior in college and returning to the newspaper staff at her university.  She was seeking missing items for her portfolio so she could "skip" some of the beginning writing courses in the journalism school.  I have also had students "clep" English classes and other communication courses based on the quality of their journalism portfolios.

Portfolio Requirements