First you need to choose a topic. This can be related to your 4 page paper topic, though this will not necessarily be appropriate. Your topic for this assignment needs to be a contentious issue; something that is current and regularly debated. Some ideas are: Should everyone eat less gluten? Should the government tax foods like fat, soda, sugar? Is the keto diet an optimal way to lose weight? Is the vegan diet a good option for athletes? Does it matter if you eat breakfast? Something else you can think of? If you are choosing a topic other than one of these, you may want to check for approval first to ensure it meets the criteria.
Part A: Debate Prep
Attached is a worksheet that you’ll complete for this section. The worksheet is meant to be a guide for how you would prepare IF you could participate in a live debate. Read the instructions on the worksheet carefully.
Part B: Op-Ed
Create an opinion piece or editorial (“op-ed”) appropriate for an educated lay audience (i.e., non-nutrition experts with a high school diploma or college degree) appropriate for publication by a lay media outlet. (Examples: USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, Arizona Daily Star, etc)
This should be on the same topic you chose for part A. Your Op-Ed should be between 600 and 950 words and contain the elements outlined below (you will be graded on their presence as well as quality of writing and substance of content).
Elements of an effective opinion or editorial piece
Opening Paragraph – should include your opening ‘hook’ and overall thesis, or point of your paper
Use the news and don’t be afraid to get personal
Tell a dramatic anecdote or reference pop culture
Use an anniversary or cite a new study
Opening Statement (built around a news ‘hook’) May include aspects like:
Thesis (Statement of argument – what is your position? – either explicit or implied)
By the end of your opening paragraph, the reader should have a nice overview of the topic, know what your stance is, and know the three main points that will be discussed.
Argument: Based on evidence (such as stats, news, reports from credible organizations, expert quotes, scholarship, history, first-hand experience). Organize this section around three paragraphs. Each paragraph should start by introducing the point, follow with 2 different pieces of evidence (one peer reviewed and one not), and end with a conclusion.
“To Be Sure” paragraph (in which you pre-empt your potential critics by acknowledging any flaws in your argument, and address any obvious counter-arguments.) Here is where you make mention of something the reader may be thinking, ‘but what about…..’ So you acknowledge the opposing point of view. But then you will follow with a reason why that point of view is wrong.
Conclusion (often circling back to your opening statement)
Grading Caveats:
All of the above elements must be included
Include a list of references at the end. This can be a list of URL’s, as formal references are not always expected in this type of article. In-text citations are not necessary for this assignment.
Make sure your paper is written in a persuasive nature rather than informative only; support your arguments
Pay attention to word count
Make sure you check grammar and spelling
One of the ‘evidence’ points in each of the main points needs to come from a peer-reviewed, primary research article
Some content modified from the Op-Ed Project:
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