Differentiated+Instruction-+Editorial+Assignment+Standard+4.4

Below are two handouts that I designed for my Advanced Composition Editorial Unit. The editorial unit was the first unit I designed that attempted to incorporate differentiated instruction.

***** I included these hand-outs as a part of my digital portfolio to display that I have incorporated differentiated instruction into my instruction and to show that I provide my students with choice in how they pursue writing assignments.

**What is an editorial/editorial writing?** //**Who writes editorials?:** Anyone can write an editorial. Members of the editorial board of a newspaper will publish editorials expressing the publication’s opinions on a particular issue or subject. Also, all newspapers allow readers to write in expressing their opinions on issues or well. Readers will generally expand on an issue by providing more information, show their agreement or disagreement with something that was previously written, or propose new questions or ideas that may arise from current issues.// //**Why are editorials important?:** Publications such as magazines and newspapers are open forums, which means that they are open to the public for comment and criticism. In our society we value free speech, and editorials are a vehicle through which the public can express their views and opinions to a mass of people. However, publications have choice as to whether or not they publish an editorial. Each issue has limited space, so only the most well written, informative, and appropriate submissions get selected for publication.// //**What are other forms of editorials?:** Reviews of movies, plays, CD’s, web-sites, restaurants, products etc. are all forms of editorials. So are columns in a newspaper i.e. sports columns, advice columns etc. Political cartoons are also a form of editorial because they express the illustrator’s opinions and feelings toward a particular topic.// //**So why do we learn about editorials?:** Most of the writing you do in English class serves a seemingly singular purpose; to be evaluated on your writing to get a grade. Students may feel unmotivated to write for class because grades are not enough to establish meaning and purpose within the student. We study editorials as a means to show students that their opinions and insights do matter, and that they can be shared and expressed with the world if they are written in a fluent and appropriate manner.// //**Our goal:** Throughout this week (and part of next week) we will be examining different forms of editorials to look at how they are similar, how they are different, and to identify their purpose. We will also look at political cartoons to determine what makes them effective and moving. Your assignment will be to compose either an editorial of your own on a topic or issue of your choice that you can submit to a publication, a response to a published editorial of your choice, a review of a CD movie, product etc., or you may illustrate a political cartoon and write a one page explanation as to why you chose the issue you did, what your political statement is, and how you illustrate it (pardon the pun) within your cartoon. If you choose the political cartoon, you must show evidence of one of the three devices: hyperbole, metaphor, or caricature (you can use more than one or all three if you so choose). We will spend the next three days in the lab to allow you to determine which option you will choose, and to find any outside sources you may need.//
 * Editorial:** Is a piece of writing generally found in a news source (newspaper, magazine, website etc.) that is based on the opinions, arguments, and/or feelings of the writer. Editorials are different from regular newspaper articles in that they take a position, whether to argue, criticize, entertain, persuade etc. as opposed to objectively reporting th//e news as it happens.//

**Editorial Proposal Sheet** Original editorial on a local, state, national, or global issue
 * For my Editorial Project I am choosing (circle one):**

Response to an editorial (political/sports/societal issue or topic)

Writing an original review of a product, movie, event etc.

Creating an original political cartoon about a current issue with a one page explanation

The editorial I am responding to/the source I am citing in my original editorial is (remember the title and author must be referenced within the piece and it must be discussed):
 * For Options One and Two Only:**

The topic I am choosing is:
 * For all options:**

1. You will need two drafts of this editorial assignment unless I look over the first draft and determine it flawless. 2. For options one and two you must include the editorial you are citing or responding to 3. If writing a review, be sure to provide at least one or two negatives, but make your position clear 4. If doing the political cartoon option, remember that you must have a one page description in which you describe the issue you are commenting on, provide your opinion, describe your intended tone/message, and explain how your political cartoon makes your opinion known. 5. **Revise!!!!** A huge factor in this assignment (if you turn it in for a grade later) is to have a polished and professional final product. If you have **any** questions about grammar rules/spelling/format etc. please please let me know. Remember, I’m here to help, not criticize.
 * Things to remember:**