- is the official stand of the paper on a relevant development or issue.

It is a concerted commentary written by any member of the editorial staff who comments or gives the newspapers or staffs opinion on an issue which is of interest and importance to the public.

- is considered the soul of the newspaper for it stirs the conscience of the readers to action; it influence and molds public opinion. It is usually written in formal language, expressing the stand of the paper on controversial issues of the day. It has no byline.

o Discuss

your opinion on an issue facing

your school, community, or the world

o Persuade the audience (with facts)

o Talk to the reader

- Be careful not to overdo

Select only one specific idea to develop . Make sure the topic is of interest to the readers.

State the problem or situation.

State your position. Give evidence to support your position. State and refute the position of the other side in the conclusion.

Offer two possible solutions to the problem.

1. Hook Grab the readers attention 2. Clearly state opinion on the issue 3. Mention reasons (2-3) that support opinion

1. State reason 2. Include 3 facts that support reason 3. Include a tell more for each fact

1. State reason 2. Include 3 facts that support reason 3. Include a tell more for each fact

1. Restate opinion on issue 2. Restate reasons that support opinion 3. Leave the reader thinking (Persuade them to take action)

Fine arts are important in the curriculum because of what they do for learning, stated Miguel Gener, arts consultant for Statefields School. In other words, the arts, especially music, should be part of every schools curriculum at every grade level. Music makes students smarter, gives children something positive to do, and builds selfconfidence. Most students dont have a chance to learn music outside of school, and everyone deserves that opportunity.
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HOOK

OPINION

REASONS

The reasons why you are taking your stand become the body paragraphs.

1) Music makes students smarter.

2) Music gives children something positive to do.

3) Music builds self-confidence.

Support your arguments with facts and tell mores.

Students would be much smarter if they had some music
experience. 1 They would improve their classroom skills, like paying attention, following directions, and participating without interrupting. People develop all these skills when they learn music. 2 Musicians are also better in math, and they get higher S.A.T. scores. For instance, a study by the College Entrance Examination Board reported, Students with 20 units of arts and music scored 128 points higher on the S.A.T. verbal and 118 points higher in math.
Writing sample courtesy of http://www.thewritesource.com/studentmodels/

Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. Unfortunately, the children who need music lessons the most usually dont have access to them outside of school.

REASONS

LEAVE READER THINKING

That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.

OPINION

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WRITING IS EASY. ALL YOU

DO IS STARE AT A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER UNTIL DROPS OF BLOOD FORM ON YOUR
FOREHEAD.
- Gene Fowler, Journalist and biographer