My powerpoint on introducing students to

1. The Viewpoint
Private opinion on a public problem

2. What Does it Look Like?

3. Some Clues It’s a Viewpoint
• Often are found in sections of a newspaper or
website called Opinion, Viewpoint,
Perspective, etc.
• Don’t make a claim to objectivity: they want
you to think/feel/do something.
• Respond to a current situation that can and
should be altered somehow.

4. What is this
ublication?
Who is this
guy?

5. Public Problem
• What is the problem? Is it a problem that can
be solved? Must be confronted? We should be
aware of?
• How long as the problem existed?
• Who is the public? What are they like? What
are their opinions on the problem? What are
their core values?

6. Private Opinion
• What about the current situation makes you
mad? Sad? Excited?
• Now, why should anyone else care about your
opinion?
• How could your opinions influence others?

7. Who Cares?
• Who is affected? (Stakeholders)
– Immediate impact?
– Secondary impact?
• Who can solve the problem?
– Causal responsibility
– Political responsibility

8. Causal Responsibility Political Responsibility
Those who did or didn’t do it. Those who make the rules
-What caused it? -Where does the buck stop?

9. Public Problem Example
• “I’m an agricultural science student, so I care
about cows.”
• “I hear cows produce a lot of methane.”
• “There’s a cow-tax idea that’s controversial.”
• “Stakeholders include ranchers, politicians,
people who breathe the air (everyone)”
• “An audience for this public problem would be
voters, breathers, ranchers and ranch-related
industries. Also people who like cheap beef, milk
and other cow products.”

10. Copia!
– Come up with 50 potential topics of controversy.
You should feel comfortable with the idea of
writing on any of these 50.
– Avoid clichés (e.g.: is the death penalty okay?)
– Engage as specifically as you can (e.g: not just “is
Head Start a good program?” but “Is Head Start an
effective use of public funds in deterring crime in
inner cities?”)
– Post on class discussion board.