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HPA and GSMS Grade Eight LA
Grade 8 Language Arts
Mrs. Kelly/Mr. Stone
Writing Assignment #5 Advocacy Journalism
Inspired by Nancy Atwell
• Descriptive lead that embeds the name of the organization, its location, and the purpose and voice of the reporter; an inviting lead
• “I” voice
• Description of the nature and severity of the problem the organization addresses
• Evidence
• Programs they offer
• Typical day at the organization
• Accomplishments
• Geographical area they serve
• Types and numbers of people helped
• Impact of the organization on the community
• Statistics
• History
• Year founded and by whom
• Background on the founder(s)
• Goals at first vs. goals today
• Quotes from people who work there
• Quotes that make a point/echo a point the reporter has made
• Info about who works or volunteers there
• Description of the atmosphere at the organization
• Anecdotes, i.e., little stories about the organization in action
• Explanation of how and where the organization raises awareness of its target issue and program
• Suggestions of what the organization would use the grant for
• Mention of other offices or branches of the organization
• Description of the physical plant
• Prose that moves logically and gracefully from point to point
• Short, friendly paragraphs
• Strong, deliberate conclusion that ties in with the lead
• Title that invites, fits, and isn’t a label
• Defined, focused message or argument
Nancy Atwell
Advocacy Journalism, aka the persuasive essay
Define the problem:
• What do my readers need to know, understand, believe?
Prepare to collect information:
• Set up my notebook or a laptop with my interview questions
• Collect information, for the reader and for me.
• Work from quantity, also see “Write with Information.”
Focus the data:
• In a sentence or two, what is my argument or message?
Play with leads:
• Experiment off-the-page until I find the best way in – the lead that will give voice and shape to my message, my information, and my conclusion; a lead that’s clear, true, inviting, and right to the point. Also, see “Essay Leads.”
Develop a plan:
• To bring order to my information, cut up my notes as to beginning-middle-end, or use colored markers to indicate beginning, middle, and end on the notes.
Draft the information:
• Use the plan as a foundation to draft my information as a logical, well-supported message or argument.
Clarify and tighten the information, close the holes, cut the rambling, and make it sing:
• Does the rest of the essay deliver on the promise of the lead? Does it make sense throughout? Is the language rich and interesting? Are the paragraphs short and friendly? Does each paragraph build on the one that came before? Is there enough information – are there enough specifics – to convince the reader?
Experiment with conclusions:
• Experiment off-the-page until I find the ending that connects with the lead, clinches my argument, and leaves a reader thinking and feeling about my message. Also, see “Conclusions for an Essay.”
Brainstorm titles:
• Go for quantity and play, until I find the combination of words that fits the essay and invites and intrigues a reader.
Polish:
• Read my essay against the checklist and our list of features of effective advocacy journalism
Edit and Publish
Nancy Atwell
Center for Teaching and Learning
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