AP Language

Columnist

The Assignment: As a means of keeping abreast of public discourse issues, you are required to follow a national columnist in a printed publication or an online publication.
Ultimately, you will collect four current, consecutive columns by your author. Therefore, pick a columnist who writes every week. You may want to pick someone who has
his/her column published on Sundays. Check printed and online publications for your columnist. Find a columnist who has a definite argument/opinion and uses rhetorical
strategies to express this argument/opinion/view. The column doesn’t need to be 5 pages, but it shouldn’t be just a paragraph either. Pick wisely. Columnists who do not
write every week, have an opinion or write much would not be a wise choice.

I. Each article must be annotated for the following:

a. Speaker’s tone and possible tone shifts
b. Rhetorical strategies
c. Organization and arrangement
d. Appeals

In addition, mark places in the text that evoke a reaction from you, be it laughter, anger or confusion. Some questions to ask yourself as you read:
 How does s/he open the column?
 How does s/he close the column?
 How soon does s/he announce the thesis?
 How does s/he organize? What are the parts or sections of the column?
 How much is based on observation? Personal experience? Interviews? Fact?
 What sort of diction characterizes the columnist?
 What sort of syntax characterizes the columnist?
 What audience does s/he assume? How do you know?
 What unstated assumptions (warrants – enthymemes) does the columnist make?
 What are the potential ramifications of the issues addressed in the column?

II. After annotating, write a one-page précis/response. The first paragraph, the précis, is prescribed – follow the exact order of sentences with the exact word
requirements. The second paragraph should be a thorough response which is much longer than the précis.

You will turn in 4 assignments – 1 for 4 consecutive weeks. We will do this assignment twice this year. You will pick a different columnist next semester. Presentation of
your work will be done in groups of my choosing or in front of the entire class. If you are absent on a Friday, you will present your work the first day you return to
school. I will collect the work and give 1 summative grade. No late work for this assignment – sorry. For each week you miss, you will be deducted 25 points.

Due dates: November 8, 15, 22

December 6