Imagine a list that includes Alan Abelson of Baron's, Bob Woodward of the Washington Post, and Mother Jones. High schoolers select a national columnist, read and annotate five columns by this author, noting the rhetorical strategies, organization and arrangement used, and then craft a precis based on one article. The exercise concludes with individuals composing their own argumentative essay on issues the columnist has addressed.

Additional Tags

rhetorical strategies, argumentative essay, column writing, english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Amend the list of columnists to include writers featured in a local paper

Pros

• Two articles by Barry Smith, columnist for The Aspen Times, are included to provide an opportunity for guided practice
• Included also is an extensive list of suggested columnists

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.11-12.6 W.11-12.1.a