blog@geibtechforlearning

TO BE A "MUCKRAKER"

Rich's Standards Based Blog Posting

First, students will drink in a multimedia presentation/lecture on the “muckraking journalists” during the “Progressive” reform era of the early 20th century.

• The Muckrakers (165 mb)

Then we shall read "The Beast is Dead," "Yes, the Chair," and "Is There a Santa Claus?" articles as examples of high-interest, succinct, and engaging op-ed pieces that make a point. Then students will be assigned to write an op-ed piece themselves on any topic they might choose. Students can start here:

• "How to Write an Op-Ed Column"

and then some real life examples thereof from professional journalists:

• The Daily OpEd
• Yahoo Opinion
• use center column from "Drudge Report" for important columnists

Students are then to post their work to class wiki where other students and instructor can read, respond, offer positive feedback or constructive criticism. (Various drafts of op-ed are expected before final piece is considered ready.)

Students can also observe the writing of students from past years in this assignment. This helps them to get excited about, gain ideas from, many other students. They also understand that students far into the future will be reading their words.

This assignment, besides giving practice to important writing skills, can give students a glimpse of “real writing” for an “authentic audience” – what journalists do only almost a daily basis.

And here are the specific state standards this assignment hits: