Week 2 - Assignment 2 Opinion Piece Online education is something that is discussed quite frequently in our society. As a student in the online environment you should be able to write an opinion piece for a specified audience that is concise, clear, and convincing regarding your point of view. Write a 300-word opinion piece that includes the following: 1. Develop a summary lead that is concise, engaging, and answers at least three of the five “w’s.” 2. Differentiate various opinions about the benefits, challenges, and future of online education. 3. Conclude with a strong self-opinion about online education. The piece must include at least one source of information. The piece must be written in Associated Press (AP) style. You must fully identify the source of information for the piece in a way that does not detract from it. A list of sources must be included after the article according to the reference template. Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 2 - Assignment 1 Creating Engaging Leads All leads are not created equal. Leads to stories must be written with the audience in mind. After reading Creating Engaging Leads, you will choose onestory and write two leads for that story. One lead will be for a daily newspaper and the other lead will be for a national newspaper. For each lead, you must: 1. Formulate a lead sentence that draws the audience in by using a writing technique appropriate for a daily audience and for a national audience. 2. Develop a summary lead that answers at least three of the five “w’s” (who, what, where, when, and why) appropriate for a daily newspaper and for a national newspaper. 3. Create a lead that is concise, consisting of no more than 25 words appropriate for a daily newspaper and for a national newspaper. The leads must be written in Associated Press (AP) style. Tolanda Carroll WednesdayApr 4 at 3:17pm Manage Discussion EntryEvaluating an Opinion or Editorial Column When reading an editorial and writing a review on it; there are several factors to consider. According to Stovall (2015), there are a few presentations that he listed in the book. The performances were to urge someone to do something, give enjoyment, and give facts. The editorial that I chose to view is titled “When Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, he was less popular than Donald Trump is today.” The author of the editorial is James C. Cobb. Cobb was knowledgeable on the topic because he developed a timeline throughout the article describing the events that led up to his death. In honor of his death anniversary, the author did a reminder on who was once leading America in preventing violence. Cobb did support his views with facts, which were figures and dates based on what Martin Luther King Jr. started and wanted to do before he assassinated. I was neutral with the author, which means I did not necessarily agree or disagree.

1. Week 2 - Assignment 2
Opinion Piece
Online education is something that is discussed quite frequently
in our society. As a student in the online environment you
should be able to write an opinion piece for a specified audience
that is concise, clear, and convincing regarding your point of
view.
Write a 300-word opinion piece that includes the following:
1. Develop a summary lead that is concise, engaging, and
answers at least three of the five “w’s.”
2. Differentiate various opinions about the benefits, challenges,
and future of online education.
3. Conclude with a strong self-opinion about online education.
The piece must include at least one source of information. The
piece must be written in Associated Press (AP) style. You must
fully identify the source of information for the piece in a way
that does not detract from it. A list of sources must be included
after the article according to the reference template.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used
to evaluate your assignment.
Week 2 - Assignment 1
Creating Engaging Leads
All leads are not created equal. Leads to stories must be written
with the audience in mind. After reading Creating Engaging
Leads, you will choose onestory and write two leads for that
story. One lead will be for a daily newspaper and the other lead
will be for a national newspaper. For each lead, you must:
1. Formulate a lead sentence that draws the audience in by using
a writing technique appropriate for a daily audience and for a
national audience.
2. Develop a summary lead that answers at least three of the

2. five “w’s” (who, what, where, when, and why) appropriate for a
daily newspaper and for a national newspaper.
3. Create a lead that is concise, consisting of no more than 25
words appropriate for a daily newspaper and for a national
newspaper.
The leads must be written in Associated Press (AP) style.
Tolanda Carroll
WednesdayApr 4 at 3:17pm
Manage Discussion EntryEvaluating an Opinion or Editorial
Column
When reading an editorial and writing a review on it; there are
several factors to consider. According to Stovall (2015), there
are a few presentations that he listed in the book. The
performances were to urge someone to do something, give
enjoyment, and give facts. The editorial that I chose to view is
titled “When Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, he was less
popular than Donald Trump is today.” The author of the
editorial is James C. Cobb. Cobb was knowledgeable on the
topic because he developed a timeline throughout the article
describing the events that led up to his death. In honor of his
death anniversary, the author did a reminder on who was once
leading America in preventing violence. Cobb did support his
views with facts, which were figures and dates based on what
Martin Luther King Jr. started and wanted to do before he
assassinated. I was neutral with the author, which means I did
not necessarily agree or disagree with what he mostly wrote. I
think that Cobb perceived King as wanting to condone violence
and knowingly started the controversial protest in different
states. The editorial was not too persuasive it seems. Cobb
addressed a few counter-arguments on the topic. One counter-
argument is that despite the violence King promoted; there was
hope when he was alive. However, the editorials have entirely
mix match when authors write up these articles in the opinion
section. I had an overwhelming and mixed emotional reaction
when reading this piece.

3. Tolanda
References
Cobb. J.C. (2018, April 4). When Martin Luther King Jr. was
killed, he was less popular than Donald Trump is today. USA
Today. Retrieved from
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/04/04/martin-
luther-king-jr-50-years-assassination-donald-trump-disapproval-
column/482242002/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an
external site.
Stovall, J. G. (2015). Writing for the mass media (9th ed.).
Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc
Tolanda Carroll
TuesdayApr 3 at 5:58pm
Manage Discussion EntryWriting Challenges
Journalism is a career where writing is often. Therefore, it is
essential to the journalistic writing to understand grammar and
know how to use syntax correctly. Identifying grammatical
mechanics before sending a paper or an assignment in is
mandatory. Although checking for grammatical mechanics is
also called editing. Stovall (2006) suggested, “knowing and
applying the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation help us
to achieve that goal” (p. 22). On my journalism writing the
common mistakes I make are redundancy, run on sentences,
sentence fragments, and use of commas in my opinion. I think
the smallest and minor errors never show up until the feedback
of the marked-up comments on my works.
I can focus on editing my work carefully before being graded.
Also, while I am writing, I learned it is easier to read the
writing out loud, and this way I can identify the common
mistakes. It does help to read aloud; I do it when I write my
papers and discussion post. There is this site called Grammarly
where I edit my work, and it is fabulous. Outlining can help

4. with writing the article and help organize any assignment better
and is a tremendous prepping technique. I go to the writing
center for other corrections as well, for instance, topic sentence.
Topic sentencing in journalistic writing is imperative.
Honestly, when other people read what I write, it is a little
nerve-racking. I used to think it will hurt my pride because I
was confident that I was a good writer. I was young of course.
Tolanda
Reference
Stovall, J.G.(2006). Writing for Mass Media. Retrieved from
https://books.google.com/books?id=V1shAQAAMAAJ&dq=stov
all+2015+mass+media&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=knowing
+and+applying+the+rules+of+grammar%2C+spelling%2C+and+
punctuation+help+us+to+achieve+that+goal
Reply
Kendra Avery
ThursdayApr 5 at 11:31am
Manage Discussion Entry
In the textbook Elements of Newswriting, the author talks
about how to write editorials. He states,” An editorial is an
unsigned statement by the editorial board of a newspaper.
Editorials are short, argumentative essays designed to show
opinion leadership. They are designed to convince the
readership of a point of view.” (Kershner) I chose the USA
Today article, “‘Roseanne’ the show is tackling Trump-era
issues. Roseanne the person should pipe down.” It is written by
Opinion Contributor, Sarah Kate Ellis. The article was about the
reboot of the Roseanne television show that debut back in the
1980’s and was very popular based on the content that was
depicted. Ellis discusses how the new reboot is focused on
modern day social issues that have been in the news recently.
She lists many different topics that are spoken upon, but her

5. main thoughts are on Roseanne herself and her views on
President Trump. Actress Roseanne Barr is a known Trump
supporter whose views has triggered many people in different
ways. The character, Roseanne Connor has more of a laughable
approach to everything.
The author seemed very knowledgeable on the subject
matter and even listed different percentages when it came to
discussing some research done for the television reboot. When
discussing one of the male characters in the show dressing more
feminine than the social norm, Ellis writes, “Research from
GLAAD and The Harris Poll shows that as many as 20% of
Millennials identify as something other than strictly
heterosexual.” Ellis views are the same as how she titled the
article. She discusses how the actress is less tolerable than her
TV persona. The article seemed to be one sided. There were no
counter arguments nor any persuasiveness. Ellis mainly stated
her opinions on the television show and gave a review on how
she will continue to watch, knowing she can separate the
personal life of the actress and her character.
-Kendra
Kershner, J. W. (2012). The elements of news writing. Boston:
Pearson Allyn & Bacon.
Ellis, S. K. (2018, April 05). 'Roseanne' the show is tackling
Trump-era issues. Roseanne the person should pipe down.
Retrieved April 05, 2018, from
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/04/05/roseanne-
barr-should-let-tv-show-talk-trump-era-issues-
column/483365002/
Kendra Avery
ThursdayApr 5 at 10:30am
Manage Discussion Entry
As an aspiring journalist, one thing to keep in mind is the
use of grammar and punctuation. When we first begin writing at
a young age, these are some of the key factors into making our

6. subject matter flow and be clear and concise. The use of
punctuation is an ongoing learning experience for many. There
are different ways to use certain punctuations that I still have
problems with. Luckily, the internet has many editing and peer
review tools to help scope my writings better. During my time
at Ashford University, I have used Grammarly, but before I
would try to get someone to edit my papers better. There have
been many times where I would write and then go back and edit
it myself but reading it aloud to someone else helps me the best.
It helps with not only hearing the words out loud but getting a
second opinion on what is needed to better the article.
One of my biggest challenges with writing as a journalist
is not thinking short. “In writing, shorter is better. If there is a
shorter word with the same meaning as a longer one, use it. If
there is a shorter sentence with the same meaning as a longer
one, use it. Readers appreciate this.” (Kershner) I have been
known to write as I talk, which is not the best habit to have
when becoming a journalist. The best way to improve my
writing skills is to keep writing. The more practice you have the
better you will get with your craft. When other people read my
writings, I feel good. I enjoy when others take the time to read
something I worked on. Most of the time I will have someone
edit over it, but besides that I take pride in what I do.
-Kendra
Kershner, J. W. (2012). The elements of news writing. Boston:
Pearson Allyn & Bacon.