1. Advocate For A Policy Change
Online Opinion Piece
Advocate For A Policy Change

2. What is an Opinion Piece?
A letter, essay, etc written to express the opinion of the author.
They argue for a particular idea/belief of the author.
The author belongs to a certain discourse community and usually addresses an audience within the same community.
Often written to newspapers and magazines.

3. What is the Online Opinion Piece?
An online document that focuses on one aspect of your Literature Review topic.
Now you get to argue for one side of your topic. This is a persuasive, argumentative piece.
Uses the research from the lit. review to lend credibility to your argument.
Advocates for a policy change.
Uses graphics or illustrations in the layout.
Op Ed = Opinion Editorial

4. What Does it Mean to Advocate for a Policy Change?
Advocate = writing or speaking in support of something or someone; using argument to support a cause, person, etc. Examples?
Policy = an action or procedure that regulates behavior; a statement, law or rule that determines how people behave in a given situation. A course of action. Examples?
Advocate for a policy change = writing or speaking in support of an action or procedure that regulates behavior. Examples?

5. Policy Change
Clearly state the policy change. Be specific in what change you are asking your audience to support.
Clearly state what steps/actions you are asking your audience to take.
What should your audience do in order to get the change implemented?

6. Persuasive and Argumentative
Audience consideration is critical in presenting an argument.
You want your audience to take you seriously and believe that you are informed about your topic.
Ethos
You want your audience to share your passion regarding your topic.
Pathos
You want to present your argument logically so that your audience can fully understand what you are advocating.
Logos

7. Writing the Online Opinion Piece
You should have 500 – 750 words.
Emphasize the policy change.
Use and cite relevant and effective research.
Use 2 – 3 sources, include a reference page.
Create an effective design using visuals, color and text wrapping.
Consider audience when designing the layout.

8. Structure Hints
Make a single point- well. You cannot solve all the world’s problems. Be satisfied with making a single point clearly and persuasively.
Put your main point on top: This is a short piece; you need to hook your audience immediately.
Tell readers why they should care
Make recommendations
Check out the student model on page 371 The Guide to First Year Composition

9. Example Online Opinion Editorials
Mayo Clinic – Organic food and nutrition
We Other Animals – Going Vegan, why?
Raw Food Diet Blog
Beer- Iowa Law change Blog

10. Group Exercise
Reading one or two of the examples from the Wiki, please answer the following questions collaboratively.
1. Of the examples, what compelled you more to side with the opinion: Why? Explain.
2. Did the visuals impede or assist in the delivery of the opinion? Explain?
3. What is the author’s Ethos/Pathos/Logos?