Using Editorials or Letters to the Editor to Find a Topic
To help you learn about issues that you might use as a topic for your persuasive paper, you can read editorials or letters to the editor in current magazines and journals. Find one or two editorials or letters that inspire you in terms of a topic to write about; remember, you will be writing a persuasive argument. Use these letters to answer the questions below. Remember, the topic must be debatable, as well as researchable.
Along with answering the questions below, be sure to make a copy of the editorial or letter that you select. You will want to keep it with you as you begin the research process.
Suggested Sources for Editorials and Letters to the Editor:
American History – Main Current Journal E171 .A574
The Atlantic Monthly – Main Current Journal AP2.A8
Discover – Science Current Journal Q1 .D57
Foreign Affairs (look at comments section) – Main Current Journal D410 F6
Harpers Magazine – Main Current Journal AP2 .H3
National Review – Main Current Journal AP2 .N3545
New York Times – Main current Newspapers and online in Lexis-Nexis
The New Yorker – Main Current Journal AP2 .N6763
Scientific American – Science Current Journal T1 .S5
Smithsonian – Science Current Journal Q11.S8 S7
The Washington Post – Main current Newspapers and online in Lexis-Nexis
The Wilson Quarterly – Main Current Journal AS36.W79 A37
Editorial / Letters to the Editor Exercise
1. Select one or two of the journals or newspapers listed above and read the editorials or letters to the editor.
2. Select two editorials / letters that have generated some research ideas for you. List the journal title, date and page number/s for the two editorials or letters that you have selected.
Journal / Newspaper title: ______
Date of publication: ______
Page number/s: ______
Journal / Newspaper title: ______
Date of publication: ______
Page number/s: ______
3. As you are reading, think about some of the questions that you have about the issue that you are exploring. Write down two of your questions here (these questions will help you focus your topic).
______
______
4. Pay attention to the language that is being used in the editorials / letters to the editor. Write down four keywords that you can use to search for more information in the library’s catalog or databases.
______
______
Assignment created by Marcie Leek and Leslie Sult, 2/2004
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week4\editorials.pdf, 9.8.2005