Homework answers / question archive / Your final draft should meet the following objectives: To write an opinion piece for the Star Tribune (You need not actually send it in to the paper

Your final draft should meet the following objectives: To write an opinion piece for the Star Tribune (You need not actually send it in to the paper

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Your final draft should meet the following objectives:

• To write an opinion piece for the Star Tribune (You need not actually send it in to the paper.)
• To integrate research into a popular form, the op-ed, rather than an academic one
• To learn to incorporate research into a very concise paper of approximately 750-1200 words
• To become familiar with the genre conventions of newspaper writing, particularly the op-ed
• To further hone attention to audience, purpose, and context in your writingPeter Stapp 11/20/15 ENGL 1111-05 Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costumes are Terrible About two weeks ago, many people dressed up for Halloween and went to parties. This is my favorite holiday, and it is really disheartening to see people use it as an excuse to be offensive and awful. A popular costume that a lot of people did this year was Caitlyn Jenner. This is entirely problematic and offensive. Although she said she had no problems with the costumes, a large number of trans people did. These costumes make a joke of transness, which is already something that is a joke to many people. None of the costumes depicting her I saw were respectful in any way. Children often wear costumes of occupations or characters that they find inspiring. But that sort of ideal of emulating someone you admire fades when adults choose their costumes. It seems that people often dress as some sort of subjugated community. This is never funny, never creative, and has huge real world consequences. By dressing as a group of people, first of all, you are putting a huge number of people into one stereotype. You are also making fun of people who have hardships that you are perpetuating and building on. One of the main problems surrounding this costume is that is doesn’t exist in a bubble. People might think that the costume is only making fun of Caitlyn, but this isn't true. The negativity of it transfers to all trans people, especially trans women. Trans people are already not respected in society and this just makes it that much harder for them to survive. These costumes make trans people seem like a joke when they are already given awful treatment in society. To be a cis man, who were most of the people I saw wearing these costumes, and wear this costume is to perpetuate the domination of people you are benefiting from to begin with. Trans people are constantly harassed and disrespected for just existing. They are misgendered constantly, fired for being transgender, and attacked for no good reason. There are so many things that trans people have to deal with that cis people don’t. To be a cis person making a joke out of trans people is adding even more insult to a huge amount of injury. You are effectively saying, “I know that I’m part of the problem, but me appearing borderline clever to my awful friends is more important.” This type of effect isn’t just about the respectability of trans people; it is about the safety of trans people. Trans people are much more likely to be attacked in the street, and just because they are trans. Just think about CeCe McDonald, a trans woman who was assaulted in front of a grocery store on Lake Street and put in a men’s prison for manslaughter for defending her life. This is the type of thing that trans people have to go through everyday. So wearing a costume as a joke is also saying that trans people and terrible situations like this are jokes. I think that there are a lot of Halloween costumes that are edgy and funny. But there are a lot of costumes that are perceived by some to be clever and are really just offensive and lazy. These Caitlyn Jenner costumes, and a lot of other Halloween costumes, are tasteless and offensive. Every year, there are new current events that people will make disrespectful costumes about. And every year, they need to be called out for it. Sample Op-Ed Outline I. Introduction a. Hook: The beginning is your chance to capture your reader’s attention! What can you start with that will compel your audience to pay attention? Perhaps an anecdote or surprising fact? b. Context: Now back up a little bit. Explain what the issue is at hand. In a few lines, provide some background and context. c. Thesis: Finally, make an argument. Tell your reader where you stand on this issue. II. First body paragraph a. Evidence #1: Describe the central piece of evidence that supports your position. b. Tie Back: Make sure to connect this evidence back to your main argument, explaining to readers how it supports your thesis statement. III. Second Body Paragraph a. Evidence #2: Describe a second piece of evidence that supports your position. Try using a different type of persuasion (see list below). b. Tie Back: Again, make sure to connect this evidence back to your main argument, explaining to readers how it supports your thesis statement. IV. Third Body Paragraph a. Counter Argument: What would be the main argument of the opposing side? b. Rebuttal: What is your response to this argument? Why doesn’t it apply to this situation/context? V. Conclusion a. Summary: In just a few lines, remind your reader of the main argument and evidence. b. Thesis: No need to repeat your thesis word-for-word, but remind readers what you’re arguing and why they should care! c. Personal Comment, Call to Action, or Question: The last few sentences of your essay will linger in your reader’s mind? What do you want to leave them with? Try out different forms of persuasion! Some readers might be convinced by hard facts and statistics. Others might be persuaded by an emotional anecdote, or a story from your own life. Writing a compelling op-ed often depends on looking at the topic from multiple angles—each perspective helping to solidify your argument, while also convincing readers to listen up! Here are some different strategies for you to try out as you craft your argument: • Personal Experience: The writer describes an experience he or she has had. • Expert Opinion: The writer draws on the opinion of an expert—someone trained in a particular area, or someone who has relevant personal experience. • Example: The writer provides an example that supports a larger idea or pattern. • Analogy: The writer compares the situation to another similar situation. • Facts and Statistics: The writer uses facts or numbers to prove their idea. Often this information comes from other sources, such as books, newspapers, or websites. • Logic: The writer uses reasoning or logic to argue their point. • Emotion: The writer makes an emotional appeal to the reader.