J-Sesh Part One

Introduction to Awesomeness

Table of Contents

Know your audience.Who are you writing for?Be knowledgeable.Make a good argument.The Inverted Pyramid.Have an opinion.

WARNING:

Delicate ears and eyes may leave.

Lesson One:

Know your audience: speak to them accordingly.

Take note:

Who are you writing for? What kind of issues are you writing

about? Is your audience aware of them?How would you introduce these issues to

the clueless?

Chinatown Grocer David Chen

Toronto Star Watch for descriptive

words. Why would these kinds

of words be used for a trial-based story?

What is the objective?

METRO TorontoWhat kind of language

does the article use?Consider the

audience. Why would the content be diff. from The Star?

What kind of language is used in the two articles?

Both are news articles, but they are meant for different audiences.

Assignment #1Choose a well-known play/band/movie/artist/celebrity.Assuming your audience has NEVER heard of your

topic of choice,write a review for a piece of work that showcased their

talent in under 250 words.

Lesson Two:

Don’t believe the hype.

Tiger Woods’ Mistresses

What kind of language can you see in the first article?

What about the second article?

Article #1:

Source: Toronto StarCareful choice of words Consulted both sidesDirect quoting from sourceAttention paid to dates and time

Article #2:

Source: perezhilton.comNote that American laws regarding

publishing are far, FAR more lenient than Canadian laws

Readership: 616 according to Alexa.comToronto Star: 2302

Lesson Three:

Be knowledgeable.

Boston Red Socks

Asst.News Editor --> News Editor --> Managing Editor --> Editor-In-Chief--> Copy Editor (FAIL)

Lesson Four:

Make a good argument.

Making an argument:

Facebook is important to students in this day and age because technology is always changing. (argument)

Our generation has always grown up around technology to the point where we communicate just as often with cellular phones as we spend face-to-face time with our own friends and family. (support)

To block facebook from our school computers is, therefore, short-sighted and ridiculous. (conclusion)

How to reply to an argument

Technology often prevents students from the full educational experience. (argument)

Although our generation is very used to technology, our dependence on cellphones and virtual networking prevents us from social human interaction, which is what truly counts in the real world. (support)

To block facebook from our school computers is, therefore, a good decision. (conclusion)

How to NOT reply to an argument

Each older generation will criticize the younger generations about things they do not understand. (argument)

Just as our parents' generation were criticized for their choice in style and music, our generation is being suppressed from using technology to interact. (support)

Banning facebook from school computers has nothing to do with education. It has more to do with a generational power struggle. (conclusion)

Q: What was wrong with that argument?

A: The argument made had nothing to do with the topic on hand, which was why

facebook should/should not be a banned website from our school.

Lesson Five:

The Inverted Pyramid.

Lesson Six:

Have an opinion (and be ready to defend it)

Assignment #2

Choose a current event that stirred up controversy. Write an opinion piece under 500 words.

1. G20 police brutality

2. Facebook and right to privacy3. Decriminalization of prostitution

4. Refugees jumping queue5. Outsourcing labour

6. Gay rights and hate crimes7. Sacrilege in music videos