This document outlines an assignment for an English college course to create a public statement on the student's final research question. The purpose is to demonstrate intellectual work done in the course can be applied outside of school. Students must explain their position, justify their reasoning, and potentially rebut objections. The statement can be written, oral, visual, or multimedia. Formats include op-eds, letters, speeches, or web pages. Students must also submit a introductory memo describing the audience, sponsoring organization, distribution method, and specific purpose of persuading the audience.

1. Eng. 102H College Writing and Rhetoric
Public Statement Assignment
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that the type of reading,
thinking and writing you have been doing this semester is not limited to
schoolwork. There are many public uses for this type of intellectual labor.
When you have an educated perspective on an important issue, it is
important to share it and educate your community so it can find the best
solution to a problem or issue.
Description:
Create a public statement explaining your position on your final research
question and persuading your reader that you are right. The statement can
be written, oral, visual, or multi-media. Some of the genres you can
choose from are:
• Op/Ed Column
• Letter to the Editor
• Open Letter
• Position Paper
• Web-page
• Speech or Recorded Presentation (podcast, slidecast, etc)
You are not limited to the list above. If you have an idea for how to present
your position in a public venue, run it by me. The important element is that
the statement communicates to the public (or some sub-set thereof).
A public statement should include the following:
• Description of the problem – make the reader see and feel the
problem
• Explanation of your position – what you think we should do about
the problem
• Justification of your position – persuade your audience that your
position is the correct one
• Rebuttal of objections and/or alternative solutions, if appropriate
• Call to action, if appropriate
Each of these genres has different expectations, so I will give you some
general guidelines and we can discuss specifics individually:
• Written genres: Maximum 2 pages, typed, double-spaced; public
statement documents tend to be shorter than academic essays
(except for position papers), but let’s stick with this for consistency.
• Web page: not as much text as a written genre (maybe up to 300
words depending on the issue and design), but also includes the
effective application of design principles, and use of audio, video,

2. Eng. 102H College Writing and Rhetoric
visuals and/or graphics to communicate. Will be evaluated on how
effectively it uses the medium (layout, typography, color, links, etc).
• Speech/Recorded Presentation: a two-page written speech (to
match the length for written genres) should be about a four-minute
speech. In addition to the written elements, will be evaluated on
spoken delivery.
In an introductory memo to me, include the following
• Who is the audience?
• Who is the sponsoring organization responsible for the message (if
appropriate)?
• How will the statement be distributed? (For example, what
newspaper would you submit the op/ed or letter to the editor to?
Who would you give your speech to? What keywords would you
use to categorize your web page or recorded presentation?
• What is the specific purpose of the statement (what are you trying
to persuade your audience of)?
Points: 50 points