I enjoyed the holidays with family. I hope your holidays were full of happy times with people you love. Here’s something to think about as you write in this new year. Intellectual curiosity withers in either or, black or white, up or down, left or right. It thrives on maybe, what if, but, and so, possibly and even though. Intellectual curiosity allows us to look through another’s lens. It forces us to consider viewpoints other than our own. When the world is presented as either or it puts blinders on the intellect. The world is not black and white. It is filled with a kaleidoscope of color. Media Landscape…
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Facts and Opinions
Facts are true for everyone. Grass is green. The sun is hot. Waltzes are in three quarter time. Lemons are sour. Skunks are smelly. Opinions are true for those who hold them. Grass is beautiful. Sunny days are cheerful. Waltzes are boring. Lemons make the best pie. Skunks are my favorite animal. Facts are irrefutable tidbits of information readily confirmed by multiple sources. Opinions are personal perceptions. Why does this Matter? With hundreds of media outlets, each catering to a specific audience, the line blurs between fact and opinion. So what does this mean? Back in the 1970s there were three broadcast networks. Everyone received the same factual reporting regardless…
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Persuasive writing
You’ve heard of the power of the pen? I’m pretty sure whoever wrote that was talking about persuasive writing. We are surrounded by persuasive writing: advertisements online or in print; movie posters at the theater; social media feeds; book reviews; letters to the editor; political campaign ads. Anytime someone tries to convince the reader to their way of thinking, that’s persuasive writing. Persuasive writing is a balancing act. Essentially you are making an argument without being argumentative. Let me explain. Let’s say you want to persuade school administrators to keep chocolate milk on the lunch menu. The key is to acknowledge the downsides of chocolate milk. Then state your position.…
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How To Write a Book Report
Book Reports A book report is a specialized report assigned by a teacher. Students often think of book reports as the teacher’s way to see if they really read the book. But sometimes your teacher will use a book report for other reasons. For instance, book reports can be a vehicle to teach writing skills. Compare and contrast, descriptive writing, cause and effect, even persuasive writing can shape a book report. It’s very important to follow your teacher’s instructions. All book reports will follow the basic report structure. Introduction The introduction is where you will name the title, author, and publication date of the book. You also lay…
