IB Docs (2) Team
Opinion column / letter to the editor
NOTE: These two text types are significantly different in that an Opinion column is presumed to be written by a professional journalist, while a Letter to the Editor is presumed to be written by a non-professional member of the public - but what they both have in common is that they should concentrate on expressing a clear point of view, as forcefully and interestingly as possible.
In practice, the Letter to the Editor has been set in exams far more often than the Opinion Column (possibly precisely because the Letter is an 'amateur' type and so more accessible, while the Column is 'professional' and so more demanding?)
Anyway, the two types are analysed separately below - but note the frequent similarities.
Opinion column
KEY FEATURES
context, audience, purpose -
* the question will usually provide the context - a general situation, which results some kind of issue, on which the writer chooses to take a particular stance or judgement
* the audience will be defined by the publication context - but can also be assumed to be reasonably informed about the issue in question, and to have the developed intelligence and the language skills to be able to handle quite complex argument
* the purpose of such columns is to discuss in a provocative and stimulating way - and explore the issue in some depth
register and tone -
* will have a semi-formal to formal register
* will have a tone appropriate to task e.g. suitably serious... or possibly, provocative and amusing, depending on the approach to the task required, or taken
conventions -
* will have a relevant headline/title
* will have an introduction intended to catch the readers’ attention
* will use techniques that engage and interest readers e.g. direct address
* will probably use first-person statement, but not necessarily
Appropriate?
An opinion column will be appropriate if the task requires you to focus on one particular issue, which should be explained convincingly and your final opinion argued reasonably. Since an opinion column will have been commissioned by a particular media organisation, it should be written to suit the audience of the publication in which it appears.
Not to be confused with...
... 'blog' or 'essay' ... a 'blog' is intended to present a set of your personal ideas in a lively entertaining way to a general, undefined audience - who you want to hook with your interesting, even provocative, opinions and experiences. An 'essay' is supposed to be a methodical and objective review of arguments, based on solid factual evidence, and reaching a logical conclusion suitable for thoughtful, educated people (not just a personal opinion).
Materials & models
> TASKS Democracy, renewed ... the Writing task requires writing an opinion column based on the arguments about democracy presented in the stimulus text.
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Letter to the Editor
KEY FEATURES
context, audience, purpose -
* the question will usually provide the context: typically, that the the Editor has published something with which the writer of the letter strongly agrees/disagrees
* the principal audience is the Editor, to whom the letter should be clearly addressed. However, there is an assumption that the letter may be published, and so the letter may also be written so as to be persuasive to the general reader
* the prime purpose of such a Letter is to present the writer's particular, personal point of view - as persuasively and convincingly as possible, and probably in contrast to other controversial points of view
register and tone -
* will adopt a semi-formal to formal register
* will adopt an appropriately serious tone
conventions -
* will refer to the original article/issue raised
* will set out to give interesting opinions in an engaging style
* will include appropriate opening and closing salutations
Appropriate?
A letter to the editor will be appropriate if the task requires you to respond to a particular idea, most normally something which has been presented in the editor's publication. In other words, you are not going to talk about the subject in general, but rather with certain aspects of the original idea, with which you agree or disagree or want to develop - and want to convince a specific person rather than just a general audience.
Not to be confused with...
... 'blog' or 'opinion column' ... a 'blog' is intended to present a set of your personal ideas in a lively entertaining way to a general, undefined audience - who you want to hook with your interesting, even provocative, opinions and experiences. an 'opinion column' will usually be focused on one particular issue, which should be explained convincingly and your final opinion argued reasonably.
Format and Approach discussed
Note that the format of the 'Letter to the Editor' is essentially the same as the format of the Formal letter, as set out in the page E-mail / letter .
Note also that the fundamental distinction between 'formal and 'informal' letters is that in the formal type the purpose of the letter is more important than the relationship with the reader, whereas in the informal type, the relationship between writer and reader is at least as important as the purpose.
Basic Format
- sender's address
- date
- opening/closing salutations ('Dear Mr/Ms ...' / 'Yours sincerely...' etc)
> register : nature of 'formal' tone - what address + attitude to the recipient is expressed ?
- recipient's address (very optional)
Approach
> relevance: The text should be focused throughout on the set task / purpose, with no irrelevance or digression
> development of explanation: The ideas should be carefully selected to be directly related to the purpose ... clearly explained in detail ... and methodically organised to make a convincing argument
> efficiency of expression: How succinct + clear/forceful is the presentation of the ideas?
Relevant writing purposes
Students should be taught the skills of effective Explanation (which may also involve sound basic factual Description) ... combined with Argument in order to present a case forcefully.
Materials & models
> Basic formal letter ... includes writing frame + imaginative example
> Senior citizen ... a somewhat ironic formal letter, involving a complaint - provides a model of structure + examples of formal phrasing + practice in understanding ironic phrasing
> The IB Threat ... the third handout 'Beard reply' contains an actual 'letter to the editor' responding to an attack against the teaching of the IB in the US
> Dam Beavers ... pretty challenging and sophisticated, but plays humourously with 'formal tone'
Suggested 'new style' exam tasks
The following are possible adaptations of some of the 'old style' tasks listed below. Each provides three optional text types, arranged in the order of (i) appropriate; (ii) generally appropriate; (iii) inappropriate - if you use them, clearly, you should randomise the choices.
Two versions are presented: one for HL, with three required elements, and one for SL, with two required elements.
(HL) You have read an article in your local newspaper which suggested that, because of teenagers’ sleep patterns, it would be beneficial to start the school day at a later time. You think this is an important issue, which requires public discussion. Write a text in which you describe the experiences of you and your fellow students, explain possible solutions, and give your overall opinion on the topic.
(i) Letter to the Editor .... (ii) Set of guidelines .... (iii) Email
(SL) You have read an article in your local newspaper which suggested that, because of teenagers’ sleep patterns, it would be beneficial to start the school day at a later time. You think this is an important issue, which requires public discussion. Write a text in which you describe the experiences of you and your fellow students, and explain your overall opinion on the topic.
(i) Letter to the Editor .... (ii) Set of guidelines .... (iii) Email
** The page Teenage frictions might provide good stimulus material for this task.
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(HL) You have recently read an article in a newspaper arguing that, although social media is a useful tool for spreading information quickly, all news items should be banned because the information cannot be trusted. You think that the ideas in the article refer to important issues which need to be debated publicly. Write a text which describes the issues raised by the article, considers arguments for and against, and concludes with arguing your overall opinion.
(i) Letter to the Editor .... (ii) Essay .... (iii) Interview
(SL) You have recently read an article in a newspaper arguing that, although social media is a useful tool for spreading information quickly, all news items should be banned because the information cannot be trusted. You think that the ideas in the article refer to important issues which need to be debated publicly. Write a text which describes the issues raised by the article, and considers arguments for and against.
(i) Letter to the Editor .... (ii) Essay .... (iii) Interview
Recent exam tasks ('old' style)
A recent article in a national newspaper highlighted the fact that more and more young people are having health problems because they spend many hours on the computer. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper in which you express your opinion about this issue. (HL N13)
Your local newspaper has published an editorial that states that too much time, publicity and money are spent on celebrations of cinema awards and suggests that these could be better used for charitable causes. Write a letter to the editor giving your opinion on this matter. (SL M14)
Your local newspaper has published an article proposing that students from any country should be allowed to attend your country’s universities free of charge. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, in which you give your opinion on the matter. (SL M15)
You recently read an article in your local newspaper in which the author claimed that teen cliques, or exclusive friendship groups, affect teenagers negatively. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in which you either agree or disagree with the claim and give reasons for your opinion. (HL M16)
You are currently living in an English-speaking country and your local newspaper has published an article in support of a custom or tradition of the country that you do not agree with. Write a letter to the editor, explaining why you do not agree, and what alternative custom or tradition could take its place. (SL N17)
You read an article in your local newspaper which suggested that, because of teenagers’ sleep patterns, it would be beneficial to start the school day at a later time. Write a letter to the editor in response to this article, giving your opinion on the topic and the reasons for your views. (SL N18)
A recent newspaper article claimed that governments do not do enough to help immigrants integrate into society. You feel strongly about this issue. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper in which you express your opinion on the issue and give reasons for it. (HL M19)
Your local paper recently published an article arguing that, although social media is a useful tool for spreading information quickly, all news items should be banned because the information cannot be trusted. Write a letter to the editor of the paper, giving your opinion on this topic. (SL N19)
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