WRITING STYLES BOOKLET

INDEX

1. Index………………………………………………………pg. 1
2. Article……………………………………………………...pgs. 2-3
a. article sample………………..………………………..pg. 4
3. News Report………………………………………………pgs. 5-6
a. news report sample………………..………………….pg.7
4. Speech……………………………………………………..pgs. 8-9
a. speech sample……………..………………………….pg. 10
5. Blog……………………………………………………….pg. 11
a. blog sample……..…………………………………….pg. 12
6. Opinion Column…………………………………………..pgs. 13-14
a. opinion column sample………………..………………pgs. 15-16
7. Editorial…………………………………………………….pgs. 17-18
a. editorial sample…………………………..……………pg. 19
8. Letter to the Editor…………………………………………pgs. 20-21
a. letter to the editor samples………..……………………pgs. 22-23

9. Email……………………………………………………….pgs. 24-25
a. email sample…………………..……………………….pgs. 26-27
10. Diary/ Journal Entry………………………………………..pgs. 28-29
a. Diary / Journal Entry sample………..…………………pgs. 29-30
11. Guidelines………………………………………………….pgs. 31-32
a. Guidelines sample………..…………………………….pgs. 32-34
12. Online Discussion Forum…………………………………. pgs.35 -36
a. Discussion forum sample……………………………… pg. 37
13. Interview Essay……………………………………………... pgs. 38 – 39
a. Interview essay samples………………………………… pgs. 40-4
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 1. ARTICLE
An article is a written work published in a printed or electronic medium. It is a non-
fictional composition that forms an independent form of a publication.

It has a title and the name of the author at the beginning.

Use the five-paragraph essay outline, which devotes one paragraph to an introduction, three
paragraphs for supporting evidence, and one paragraph for a conclusion.

STEPS TO FOLLOW

Brainstorm your topic. Make a list of ideas related to your topic. In order to write a
coherent and concise article, you need to narrow down the topic to make it a more
powerful article.

 What interests you/ is interesting about this topic?

 What do you want people to know about this topic?

Define the argument. In most articles, the writer makes an argument. This is the main
purpose of the article. Then the writer finds evidence to support this argument. In order to
make a quality article, you need a quality argument.

Outline the article. Before you begin to formally write, write an outline of your article. This
outline will break down which information goes where. It serves as a guide to help you
figure out where you need more information.

Write the introduction. A compelling introductory paragraph is crucial for hooking your
reader. Within the first few sentences, the reader will evaluate whether your article is worth
reading in its entirety. There are a number of ways to start an article, some of which
include:

 telling an anecdote
 using a quote
 starting with a statistic
 starting with straight facts of the story

Follow the outline. Use the draft of your article in outline form to help you focus on writing a
solid and coherent article. The outline can also help you remember how details connect to
each other. You will also be reminded of how certain quotes support certain points that
you're making. Include some of the following:

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  statistics
 quotes
 definitions
 anecdotes (short, illustrative stories about yourself or someone else)

 quotes and examples from people like the reader or from popular books on the
subject
 References to other media (film, television, radio)

Show with description. Use eloquent and descriptive language to give the reader a good
picture of what you're writing about. Carefully choose descriptive verbs and precise
adjectives.

Include transitions. Link each separate idea with transitions so that your article reads as
one cohesive piece. Start each new paragraph with a transition that links it to the previous
paragraph.

Write a strong conclusion. Wrap up your article with a dynamic conclusion. Write a
conclusion that empowers the reader. Conclusions are often strongest when they use a
last, brief concrete example that leads the reader to new insights. Conclusions should be
'forward thinking' point the reader in a direction that keeps his or her "thirst" for knowledge
going strong.

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Sample: Article
Dolphins on Duty
By  Tricia Culligan
September 2, 2019
The  U.S.  Navy  trains  these  supersmart  animals  to  work  on  lifesaving  missions.
In April, a fi shing boat was bobbing along in the Arctic Ocean. As it sailed near the coast of
Norway, a country in Europe, a fi sherman on the boat spotted a beluga whale.
The whale was wearing clips that hold a camera. Why would a whale need a camera?
Could the animal be a spy?

The answer just might be yes! The whale also had clips on its harness with the words “St. 
Petersburg.” That’s the name of a city in Russia. Offi cials say this means the whale was likely train
ed by the Russian military as a spy.

This may seem a bit fi shy. But whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals are used to help milita
ries around the world. That includes  the United States military.  The U.S.Navy Marine Mammal 
Program currently has more than 100 sea animals protecting our country from underwater threats.

The Best of the Best
The Navy program started in 1959. In the early years, the Navy tested out more than a dozen animals, inclu
ding sharks, sea turtles, and birds. Today just two species are used: bottlenose dolphins and
California sea lions.

“The Navy’s dolphins and sea lions perform missions that the Navy cannot yet accomplish in any
other way,” says Mark Xitco, the director of the program.

Both animals are very smart and easy to train. And both can quickly adapt to different 
environments, like shallow waters or deep seas.

But there are more dolphins in the program because they use echolocation. That means  they use sound 
to “see” underwater!

On the Job
Dolphins begin training at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, when they’re a few years old. 
Handlers show them how to look for and mark the locations of underwater 
explosives called mines. Mines could hurt or kill people on military ships. And they can be 
difficult for humans to detect. 

But it’s no problem for dolphins. Using echolocation, the animals can easily “see” through  dark,muddy 
waters. Plus, they can dive hundreds of feet below the surface, much farther than humans can.
Trainers also teach dolphins to identify enemy swimmers.

“The animals are natural hunters.”, says Xitco. “We just change what they learn to hunt for.”

Reporting for Duty

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In the past 40 years, Navytrained animals have traveled to the coasts of more than a dozen countries
on official missions. When they aren’t on a mission, the dolphins help with security at Navy bases
around the world and prepare for future jobs.

“They will be ready if they are needed,” says Xitco. “Navy dolphins and sea lions are always on duty.”

2. NEWS REPORT
A news report presents information that is newsworthy. It is usually presented in a newspaper.
It is designed in a way which will make it possible for the reader to gain essential information
even though the whole report might not be read. This is why a news report presents information
chronologically in the following manner:
 Headline
 The lead paragraph(s): Who? What? When? Where? Why?
 Supporting paragraphs: further details, including: statements and direct quotes, similar
incidents, least important information
 Concluding paragraph
Note:

A news article includes information related to a topic based on the "5 W's" (sometimes "6 W's").

 Who - who was involved?

 What - what happened?
 Where - where did it happen?
 Why - why did it happen?
 When - when did it happen?
 How - how did it happen?

Compile all the facts.

Once the information on the "5 W's" is complete, write all the pertinent facts and information that
would need to be included in the article. Organize these facts.
Create an article outline. This outline will help you organize your ideas with clarity. Decide in
what order you will place the information.
Note: Include quotes from witnesses of the event to be reported.

Basic structure for a News article

l. Headline

This the “title” of the news report. It has to be catchy and give an idea of what the report is
about. It is meant to grab a reader´s attention and interest him/her.

II. Lead paragraph

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News articles begin with a leading sentence that is meant to grab a reader's attention and
interest them. The lead should be one sentence and should simply, but completely, state the
topic of the article.

Then, place the information you outlined using the WH questions. State the facts and figures
that justify the story. The readers need to be told what happened.

III. Explanatory paragraph

After all the primary facts have been listed in the news article, express any additional
information that might help the reader learn more, such as contact information, additional
facts about the topic or people involved. Include quotes from interviews.

IV. Closing quotation

Write something that sums the article up in a few words. Conclude the article. Think of a
memorable way to end the story. A closing end quote is a good way to sum things up.

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Sample: News Report
Students Grow Flying Sauce
Jim Wilkes, Science Reporter
TORONTO –
In the cult movie classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, mutant vegetables cut a deadly swath through the
community, consuming everyone in their path. But Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk says Toronto students cultivating
tomato seeds from space shouldn’t worry about imitating art. “There should be no fear on the part of teachers or
parents about any toxic fruit growing from these tomato plants,” said Thirsk, who flew aboard the shuttle Columbia
on a 17-day mission in 1996. He said he’ll eat tomatoes produced from the high-flying seeds or use them to make
salsa or ketchup.

Thirsk visited students at St. Cecillia Catholic School on Annette St. yesterday to check up on their
experiments with tomato seeds taken into space by astronaut Mark Garneau. The Tomatosphere project involves
2,500 secondary school classrooms across Canada growing 400,000 seeds, half of which made the trip to space.
Space plants are said to grow faster and taller. “The space-flown seeds made 170 orbits of the Earth, travelled more
than 7 million kilometers and spent 12 days weightless,” Thirsk said.

At the end of June, schools will send results of their experiment to the Canadian Space Agency which will
compile the date and make conclusions. Thirsk said the program is designed to introduce space science to young
Canadians. “I can see that in these classrooms we have potential future Canadian scientists and astronauts,” he
said. “I find that incredibly exciting.”

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 3. SPEECH
A speech refers to the ability to communicate a topic, effectively and with clarity and
confidence, in front of an audience. A speech has a purpose and is meant for celebratory,
entertainment, influencing, or informative purposes. It is done to congratulate, motivate,
inspire the audience, or to explain, justify or inform on an issue.

Note: Before writing a speech content, brainstorm the ideas you wish to communicate.
Step 1
 Start off with a strong introduction. Open with a big statement that will grab the attention
of the audience. Use an important remark or quote or question.
 Open with a brief story, a startling statistic, a controversial statement or a thought-
provoking question to help the audience begin to focus on your topic. Refer to it later in
your speech or use it as the basis for your conclusion.
Step 2
Express the focus of your speech. Speeches usually have a general purpose (e.g. to
congratulate, to inform, to explain). After getting the audience interested in the general purpose,
let them know what you will focus on in your speech.
Step 3
Build the body of the speech. This part should contain the main points of the issue and support
for each one. Use the list you created. Which ones are the most convincing?
 Start off with your strongest point.
 Put your weakest and second strongest argument in the middle.
Step 4

Give a strong conclusion. Re-state your strongest argument.

Some ideas:

 Get organized. State at least three points to support your argument.

 Get persuasive. Make sure your reason is clear, and then you can add persuasive
techniques.
 Use inclusive terms for individuals. Point to "our" things, our fears, our city/state/country,
or our school, our class-year, our work, people, and product/candidate, etc. Your
audience will feel more included with a sense of belonging.
 Be aware of your transitions. Build clear and sensible transitions from one thought to the
next. Your speech should be a cohesive work, not a series of points that work
independently.

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  End with a firm/powerful conclusion, summarizing what you said. Leave them with a
question or thoughts of implications. Be sure they leave with the ideas you don't want
them to forget.
 Use rhetorical devices throughout your speech to persuade your audience.

RHETORICAL DEVICES for writing a Speech

To hold the attention of an audience, you need to convince them that your ideas are correct.
Here are a few rhetorical ideas to help persuade. Use these throughout your speech and show
their relationship to your topic:
a) List of three
These are three words that are related among them, in the topic you are presenting.

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears." (Julius Caesar, Shakespeare, Act 3, Scene 2)
"l have nothing to offer you, but blood, sweat and tears." (Winston Churchill, 1940)

b) Repetition
This refers to repeated sentence patterns to guide to a climax.

 "l have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live its true meaning of its
creed... I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former
slaves... I have a dream that my four little children... I have a dream today." ( Martin Luther
King Jr., 1963)

c) Personal commitment or experience

You can share personal experiences on the theme, to pull your audience nearer to you.

 "l went to segregated schools, swam in segregated swimming pools, sat in all-white
sections at the movies... By the grace of God, I had a grandfather... who taught me it
was wrong." (Bill Clinton, US President, 1997)

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SAMPLE: SPEECH

Should Children Be Allowed to Own and Use Cellphones?

It is difficult to imagine a time when we did not have cell phones. Many of us rely on our phones throughout the day
to stay in contact with our businesses, friends, and families. Whether we like cell phones or not, they have become
an essential part of our society, and there is little chance of their use being curtailed soon. My cellphone is like my
best friend!!!

Even children have begun to carry their own cell phones, not only for emergency and family use but to stay in touch
with friends via text messaging.

So what should a child be allowed to carry a cell phone? Are we making cell phones our children´s best friends?

There's no doubt that a cell phone becomes an essential tool for a child to use when an emergency occurs. We live
in a challenging and sometimes dangerous world. Having a means of contact with your child at all times through
the use of a cell phone can help ensure their personal safety and provide peace of mind.

Children have used cell phones to contact their parents or officials in threatening situations. Some have even used
their phone's ability to take photographs to ward off or identify predators. Furthermore, as children grow older,
responsible cell phone ownership makes it possible to give them a more considerable amount of freedom than
when younger.

On the other hand, owning a cell phone can also have a somewhat negative impact on a child. These phones can be
a source of distraction, both at school and elsewhere.

Worryingly, phones make it easy for children to receive text messages and pictures of which their parents may not
approve. Plus, medical professionals have indicated in the past that there may be dangers in having powerful
cellular waves so close to a developing body on a regular basis.

Would giving a phone to a child be motivating a form of lifetime friendship and dependency?

Should cell phone use for children be limited in its capability to send and receive calls? A parent could program a
mobile device to call out to only emergency numbers.  One could also set the cellular equipment to accept pre-
established phone numbers. These limitations would give the parents some peace of mind, knowing that their child
has a means of contacting them in case of an emergency.

There's no doubt that the issue of children and cell phones is a difficult one to resolve. If you have children yourself,
however, then it will be a personal issue, one that you will decide for the benefit of your family. What kind of
friendships/ relationship should children be prepared to have with their phones. What can/should we do?

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 4. BLOG
A blog is a website containing a writer's own experiences, observations, opinions, etc.
A blogger writes from a personal perspective that allows him/her to connect directly with
his/her readers. The writing style is colloquial, in a natural and spontaneous manner, as a friend
talking to friends.

The content of the blog relates to current issues and provides the blogger´s perspective,
opinions, criticism related to the issue. The idea of the blog is to motivate discussion and
controversy.

Blogs have a "comments" section where readers can correspond with the blogger. Interacting
with his/her readers in the comments section helps to further the connection between the blogger
and the reader.

The life of a blog depends on its followers and persons who react to it.

Steps to write a Blog:

 A blog should have a www name/link. A good blog name should be descriptive, so that potential
readers can instantly tell what the blog is about just from the name (www.nameofblog.com).
 The blog should have a post title which is basically a headline related to the content of the blog.
It is meant to attract readers in and motivate them to read more.
 An appropriate tone has to be chosen for the blog. Who the audience will be, needs to be
determined. Who will want to read the blog and why? Then, the tone that would be most
appropriate for the bIog must be decided and written in that tone and style consistently.
 Short paragraphs should be used to provide visual relief from a heavy text. Most readers will
skim a blog post before committing to reading it in its entirety.
o It needs to be written in a manner that connects to the readers.
 To write the blog:
o Readers should be Welcomed.
o The blog has to have an introduction to the theme/topic that will be written.
o The theme needs to be current/controversial/opinionated – or it shares an
experience/idea/reaction… a definite point of view needs to be expressed to motivate
readers to react and interact with the blogger.

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 o At the end of the blog, readers are invited to comment, give opinions, share experiences
and participate in the discussion.

Sample BLOG

www.whatIthink.com

Second-hand smoking is nothing to kid about

Hi dear followers!! I hope you are all doing great!!

On my last post I shared what I think about smoking in general. I got many responses in your comments.
My theme this week will evolve around another consequence of smoking… second-hand smoking.

I saw a poster with a picture of a child that said: “I wish I could quit smoking!” – When you smoke around
your kids, they smoke too. Second-hand smoking is nothing to kid about.

This poster got me thinking…. Exposure to secondhand smoke, even for a short time, can be harmful to
both children and adults. Most people are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes or the places
they work. People may also be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places like bars, restaurants, and
casinos, as well as in vehicles.

Smokefree laws for all workplaces and public areas protect people who do not smoke. There are also
steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke, such as making your
home and vehicles smokefree. These laws and policies are the only way to fully protect people who do
not smoke from secondhand smoke exposure. They also can help people who smoke quit and can help
keep young people from starting to smoke. Should these laws exist?
But… there are some who do not agree with this.
What do you think? Do you agree?
Please place your comments in the area below. It is good to have a discussion about this controversial
theme. So… let´s talk.
Lila
Write your comments below:
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 5. OPINION COLUMN

An opinion column  is a piece, usually published in a newspaper or magazine, that reflects

the opinion of the author of the column about a subject. Opinion columns are featured in
many periodicals.

An opinion column is usually biased, and not necessarily fair or objective, as it expresses the
personal opinion of the writer on any theme/idea/issue that he/she wishes to give an opinion
about.

Things to take into account when writing an OPINION COLUMN:

 Determine why you are writing a column.
Figure out what you want the column to be about. Do you want to entertain or inform? This
will help decide what you want to write about. If you want to entertain, you might want to
write about humorous topics or make a serious topic comical. Wanting to inform your
audience might mean your column is more factual, educational, and serious.

 Write about your opinion.

A column is by nature biased (prejudiced, showing unreasonable preference) and
opinionated. Think of a topic that you are passionate about and that you have a strong
opinion on when deciding your content. It will be a lot easier to write a column if you care
about the subject.
Note: Although a column is biased, you should still have journalistic integrity and not
maliciously slander (make false, damaging statements) anyone.

 Choose relevant topics.

Choose relevant topics that you have good perspective or advice about.

 Stick to a theme.
Keep your column about the same general topic (politics, beauty, local issues...). However,
you should have variation of the same topic within your theme.

 Write clearly.
Don't complicate your column with confusing and technical language. Keep your writing
simple. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Start a new paragraph whenever you have a
new thought, even if that means a paragraph is only a sentence or two.

 Use first person.

In a column, talk about yourself as yourself. When writing your opinions, say it is your
opinion. Don't refer to yourself or quote yourself in third person.

 Write the way you talk.

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An opinion column is more personal than other types of journalism. Your language in a
column does not have to be as formal. While maintaining good grammar, keep your tone
casual and personal.

 Write an attention-grabbing lead.

The “lead" (or lede) is the opening section of your column. Unlike traditional news
reporting, your column should have a descriptive and attention-grabbing lead. According to
some guidelines, a typical reader takes 10 seconds to decide whether he will read an
opinion column. That's why your first line needs a "hook" - such as a metaphor, strong
counterclaim or unusual fact that outlines your argument and invites a reader to learn
more.

 Be passionate, but have a solution.

A column is the perfect time to be passionate about your point of view. Share your opinions
and viewpoints loud and clear. However, you can't just write a column to complain about an
issue. You need to finish off your column with solutions. The audience of your column
wants your opinion and they want answers.

FORMAT
a. Introduction: Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree
with the statement. Use an attention-grabbing “lead”.
b. Body: 2 or 3 paragraphs. For each paragraph give a reason to support your opinion.
a. If relevant, provide possible solutions / ideas on the issue of your opinion.
c. Conclusion: Summarize your ideas and repeat your opinion using different words.

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How to write an Opinion Column – example
Note: Here are some easy-to-follow steps. These paragraphs would need to be extended and more
detailed for a better opinion column.

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 Sample Opinion Column
“Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are”
(author’s name)

Crime in America has a devastating impact on victims and survivors, neighborhoods, and our society as a
whole. Crime in America continually threatens our individual and collective sense of safety and security. And crime
in America creates a universal sense of indignity through the realization that any of us, at any time, can be
victimized by violence.

This week is the 25th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I believe it is a time to pay tribute
to victims and survivors of crime and those who selflessly serve them, and to reflect upon the many
accomplishments of the past quarter-century that have made victims' rights and services a reality in our nation. It is
definitelly a time to recognize that justice isn't served until crime victims are.

Fifty years ago, there were few victims' rights that offered information, protection, and assistance to those
who were hurt by crime. Today, there are many state statutes that define and protect victims' rights.

Before, there was no funding for crime victims that supported the provision of quality victim services. Since
then, different institutions have provided billions of dollars to support a wide range of crime victim services that
address victims' needs for information, protection, counseling, and help in exercising their rights throughout the
criminal and juvenile justice systems.

The handful of victim assistance programs established 25 years ago has grown to include many
community- and justice system-based programs that help victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking,
drunk driving, elder abuse, child abuse, hate violence, terrorism, identity theft, and survivors of homicide victims,
among others.

In my opinion, while these accomplishments are, indeed, impressive, there remain today many challenges to
ensure that crime victims are treated with respect, recognized as key participants within our systems of justice, and
afforded services to help them in the aftermath of crime. There are still crime victims who are not informed of their
rights, nor engaged as active participants in our justice system. There are still crime victims who remain unaware of
a variety of supportive services that can provide help, hope and healing in the aftermath of crime. There
are still crime victims who suffer immeasurable physical, emotional, and financial losses, who still wait and wait to
receive court-ordered restitution payments from their perpetrators.

I think justice isn't served until all crime victims are treated with dignity and compassion by our criminal and juvenile
justice systems.

I believe justice isn't served until crime victims' most basic needs are identified, and that efforts are made to meet
these important needs, crime victims are informed of all their rights throughout the justice process – rights that
empower them, give them important choices, and offer them opportunities to have voices and choices in their
cases, and in their future. All crime victims need to be assured  that their offenders will be held accountable for their
crimes.

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In my opinion, justice isn't served until we realize, as a community and as a nation founded on the principles of
“equal rights for all,” that violence affects us all, and that victims' rights represent the very foundation upon which
our nation was created. Let´s all find a way to “serve” crime victims.

6. EDITORIAL
An editorial is an article written by a newspaper or magazine that gives general opinions/comments on
important social, political, economic, or legal issues and intends to persuade readers to agree to a
particular point of view. It is the voice of the newspaper or magazine, and has no authorship.

An editorial can be about any topic but is usually written about an issue that deals with society. To build
credibility, the opinion in the editorial must be backed up with facts and evidence to substantiate that
opinion. An editorial must contain both problems description and possible solutions to them. It is
written from a third-person point of view, and has no “I”, “we” nor “you”. It focuses on the problem
/issue itself.

Types of editorials

Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people
to take action on an issue. There are generally four types of editorials:

a. Explaining or interpreting: This format is used to explain how and why the editorial took a certain
opinion on a controversial subject.
b. Criticizing: This format criticizes actions or decisions made by a third party, in addition to
offering a better solution.
c. Persuading: This format is used to move the reader to action, concentrating on solutions, not the
problem.
d. Praising: This format is used to show support for people and organizations in the community
that have done something notable.

Previous to Writing an Editorial

Choose the topic -The topic chosen is the most important part of writing an editorial. The best topics
are those that are current issues in our society.
Decide an opinion - The decision is taken as being for or against the issue chosen as the topic for the
editorial. Both sides cannot be taken when writing an editorial. The purpose of the editorial is to give
a strong, persuasive opinion.
Outline the editorial - This is one of the biggest tips on writing an editorial that should always be
followed. An outline states the stand on the issue and helps the writer get the thoughts and opinions
in order.

How to Write an editorial

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The introduction - The first paragraph should be designed to catch the reader's attention. Start with a
rich question, or a quote.
o Pick a hook that grabs readers' attention, so they are more inclined to keep reading.
o Clearly state the argument. The rest of the editorial should be based on supporting this
opinion.

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The body of the editorial - It should explain the issue objectively and tell why this situation is
important to the reader or the community.
o Include who, what, when, where, why, and how.
o Have at least three arguments. These arguments should be backed up with facts and
evidence from the research on the topic.
o Make sure the strongest argument is left for last.
Express a solution - This is different from reasons and evidence. The solution needs to be clear,
rational, and doable. It should be convincing. It should be expressed in the paragraph previous to
your conclusion.

Conclusion — Conclude the editorial with a punch, a meaningful statement that will stay in the
reader's mind. Use quotes or a question that would make the readers think hard. The conclusion
should tie the argument together and give readers a summary of all the facts presented in the
editorial.

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Sample of an Editorial (published in a newspaper or magazine)
Reality T.V. Creates an Alternate Reality

Imagine, you’re cooking dinner at home when all of a sudden, the clock starts ticking down. Your children
start gasping with anticipation. Will you finish in time and who will create the most delicious side dish ever tasted?

While this may seem slightly exciting and mildly entertaining, is this reality? Television shows categorized as ‘reality’
would have us believe so. Reality television boasts real people tackling challenges or just everyday life, no
gimmicks. But, is that true? Of course, it’s not! There are still editors, crews, and production schedules. The
popularity of reality television has given society an image of the real world that isn’t remotely real.

At this point in time, we’ve all been warned on the dangers of media use especially pertaining to violence
and other unacceptable behaviors. Studies by Dr. Bryan Gibson of Central Michigan University show excessive
viewing of reality shows with relational aggression can actually cause people to be more aggressive in their actual
lives. While it might seem like mindless entertainment, research repeatedly shows that watching these ‘real life’
shows where people treat others in horrible ways for money or fame actually affect brain chemistry.

As if causing real life aggression weren’t bad enough, reality television also contributes to skewed societal
views on what kinds of behavior are acceptable. The mere fact that our society is so obsessed with reality
television as a form of entertainment proves this point. Why do we find it entertaining to watch people demean,
bully, or physically attack others? Why is watching someone else’s sexual exploits or narcissism a widely accepted
form of entertainment?

Imagine following your best friend around all the way to her actual bedroom, only to have her dive under
blankets after turning off the lights. Sound creepy? Sounds like many reality T.V. scenes. This kind of ‘peeping Tom’
behavior wouldn’t be tolerated in the real world, so why should it be tolerated on reality television? Perhaps the
most disturbing impact of these shows is the notion that anyone can and should become a celebrity for any reason.
While we can all agree people should be applauded for worthy accomplishments, has society’s standard of a worthy
accomplishment been dumbed down? Thanks to reality T.V. the answer is a resounding ‘yes!’ Society’s obsession
with fame has spiraled out of control thanks to today’s media outlets. There are people famous for literally just
being rich alongside those garnering fame for injuring themselves. Are these people deserving of our collective
attention and praise?

There is an argument that not all reality shows are bad. Some of the profession-based competition shows
actually focus on real skills and acknowledge talent. However, even these shows rely on extreme behaviors to attain
the highest level of ratings. Some might also say that reality television simply holds a mirror up to the viewer. The
problem with this argument is that much of what we see on T.V. is edited for time or theme. Reality stars are often
filmed for hours at a time, but we only see about a half an hour of footage.

In a world where anyone and everyone can film themselves or be filmed for the world to watch, it’s time
society takes a stand on whether or not we want to watch it. Despite the catchy name, reality television is far from
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real. You have to ask yourself, do these shows really sum up what I believe about my fellow man or woman?
Hopefully, the collective response is a quick ‘no.’ If you agree with these statements, it’s time to take action. If there
is no one to watch this alternate reality television, it will eventually die.

7. LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A letter to the editor is a letter written by any person to the editor of a newspaper,
magazine, or other regularly printed publication with the hope/purpose that it may be published.
It is generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a
magazine.

A letter to the editor expresses opinions, positions for or against an issue, or simply
informs about an issue. It is meant to convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or both. It
can be an effective way to get readers to be influenced.

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You
believe you can influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. Letters to the
editor can be an effective way to get your word out.

 You are angry about something, and want others to know it.
 You think that an issue is so important that you have to speak out.
 You wish to persuade others to take a specific action.
 You wish to suggest an idea to others.
 You would like to influence public opinion.

Note: Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A . Open the letter with a salutation

A simple "To the Editor of the  (name of newspaper/magazine)," or just “To the Editor:” is
sufficient. If you have the editor's name, however, you should use it to increase the possibilities
of your letter being read / published.

B. Grab the reader´s attention.

Your opening sentence is very important. It should tell readers what you’re writing about and
make them want to read more.

C. Explain what the letter is about at the start - Throughout your letter, remember the rule: be
quick, be concise.
D . Explain why the issue is important

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Explain the issue and its importance simply. Use plain language that most people will
understand. The general public probably doesn't share your background or interest. Put them in
context.

E. Give evidence for your praise or criticism

Be clear in showing why this will have good or bad results.

F . State your opinion about what should be done

You can write a letter to support or criticize a certain action or policy, but you may also have
suggestions about what could be done to improve the situation. If so, be sure to add these as
well. Be specific. The more reasons you can give to back up your suggestions, the better.

G . Sign the letter

Be sure to write your full name (and title, if relevant) and to include your address, phone.
Tips on Writing Letters to the Editor
Keep it brief - Generally, shorter letters have a better chance of being published. So go back
over your letter and see if anything can be cut or condensed. Keep it short and on one subject. 
Make sure your letter is clear and to the point - A newspaper may not print every letter it
receives, but clear, well-written letters are likely to be given more serious consideration. Make it
legible.
Personalize it - Making personal opening statements helps establish the writer’s credibility as
someone with firsthand knowledge of the given issue and grabs the reader’s attention. Remain
authentic, and avoid any copying and pasting of talking points. Be sure to include your contact
information.
If you’re responding to a published piece in the newspaper, make that clear - In this case, your
first sentence should directly reference the other article. This could help you build a
point/counterpoint narrative for your letter, where you respond to specific statements from the
piece with your own perspective, using data to back up your argument.
Make references to the newspaper/ article/ person. 
Here are some examples of easy ways to refer to articles in your opening sentence: 
 I was disappointed to see that

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 I strongly disagree with
 I am deeply saddened to read that ….

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SAMPLES: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A) Sample 1
Letter to the editor of a major newspaper/magazine noting the terrible condition of significant archaeological and
historical sites.
(country)
(date)The Editor
(newspaper/magazine)
(country)
Subject: Poor Condition of Heritage Sites
Sir/Madam

I’m writing to express my concern about the egregious damage that is done to our country’s priceless and
irreplaceable historical sites. What astounds me the most is the city authorities’ attitude to the provision and
protection of these monuments.
These monuments are not only priceless icons of our civilization’s past, but also a very lucrative source of
revenue for both the local and national economies. These historic structures contribute to the development of
dynamic, cultural downtowns that encourage tourism, art, events, and other activities that encourage businesses,
income, and economic growth.
These structures’ damaged areas must be refurbished and restored. Tourists should be able to observe
these buildings from a slight distance and so these should be surrounded by fencing. Installing CCTV cameras,
keeping guards on duty, maintaining cleanliness, and giving some tourist amenities are all things that should be
considered. The immediate surroundings of these establishments have become quite unsanitary due to the lack of
washrooms.
I request to the appropriate Ministry and local authorities to investigate the situation and take appropriate
action. This can be achieved if you highlight the problem through the columns of your renowned newspaper. 
Thanking you
Yours truly
(name)

Sample 2 – Letter to Editor Regarding Environmental Pollution

(your address)
(country)
(date)
The Editor
(newspaper / magazine name)
(country)
Subject: Awareness of the increase in the environmental pollution in the area
Respected Sir/Madam,
My name is (your name) , and I work for (place of work). I’m writing to draw your attention to the growing impact
of environmental degradation in our neighborhood and the surrounding area. I would like to raise the kind attention of
the concerned authorities to environmental awareness through the editorial column of your renowned newspaper.

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 The use of private transportation in (country/ place) has increased rapidly, as has the number of industrial
sectors that have emerged in recent years. This has increased the likelihood of major health concerns such as
breathing difficulties, chronic diseases, lung damage, nausea, exhaustion, and so on. Unfortunately, man has been
harming his own benefactors in his ignorance thus far.

Our government has just recently become aware of the depth of the situation. Scientists are working on ways
to reduce the impact of the smoke emitted by our automobiles and chimneys. Indeed, environmental awareness is a
social requirement. It is not just the government’s job, but also every individual’s social responsibility, to assist maintain
the environment clean.

Because of the gravity of the situation, I respectfully request that you draw attention to it so that action can be
made to reduce the impact of environmental pollution and the risk of people being affected by it.

Thanking you, Yours sincerely,

Signature

C) Letter to the editor to raise awareness about the rising incidences of cyber crimes.

(Name)
(date)
The Editor 
(magazine /newspaper)
(Country / City)
Subject: Awareness about cybercrimes

Sir/Madam
With this letter, I want to draw attention to an important aspect of cybercrime, which is a big source of
concern in our world. If you could give my views a tiny room in your esteemed daily, I would be grateful.
Cybercrime has become a major menace to the digital society, and the victims are none other than
ourselves. The internet is the sole source of information in today’s world. Everything is digital nowadays, from the
work-from-home or attending courses and seminars online. This online form, however, has also provided a new
opportunity for hackers. They’re lurking at every corner, waiting to pounce on someone’s email or bank account.
Cybercrime has now gotten out of hand.
We urgently want stringent cyber regulations and public knowledge of the numerous sorts of cybercrime.
There are several options for keeping our sensitive information private on the internet, including tailored
privacy settings and encryption. If individuals are aware of their actions, the chances of being hacked are reduced.
In addition, robust cyber law and enforcement are required to ensure that such offenders are punished and that
victims receive justice.

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 I genuinely hope that my concerns will cause people to consider the potential hazards of cybercrime and
that they will take further measures when using the internet in the future.
Yours sincerely
(your name)

8. FORMAL EMAIL

An email is a message distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or
more recipients via a network.
Emails are often used for personal and informal purposes, but also for formal purposes.
Writing a formal email needs to follow certain guidelines. If you write an email to a teacher,
boss, business contact, government agency, or other recipient that requires formality, just follow
a few simple guidelines.

1. Use a professional email address that properly represents your name

 Ideally, your email address should be a variation of your real name, not a username or
nickname. For instance, coolguy0127@theemail.com will seem unprofessional.
Meredith.Athena.Calhoun@theemail.com, however, is suitable.

2. Keep the font simple 

 Write your email in a legible font size.
 Avoid special styles like italics, highlighting, or multicolored fonts unless they are needed
by the content and purpose of the email.
 Do not use all capital letters. These make it seem like you are shouting at the recipient.

3. Use a short and accurate subject line 

 Use keywords in the subject line that suggest exactly what you are writing about, in just a
few words. This helps make sure that reader won`t overlook your email because the
subject line is missing, too vague, or suggests the email is unimportant.

4. Use a formal salutation

 Address the recipient by name (if you know it). Include the person's title (Mr., Mrs., Ms.,
Dr., etc.) with their last name, followed by a comma or a colon. You can precede the
salutation with "Dear..." if you like.

o If you don't know the name of the person you're writing to, use a salutation like
“Dear Sir/Madam,” “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “To whom it may concern.”
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  Do not use “Hello,” “Hey,” “Hi,” or other informal salutations.

5. Write a brief and to-the-point message

 Introduce yourself in the first paragraph (if necessary). If you are writing to someone you
don't have an existing relationship with, such as a new customer, hiring manager, or
government official, tell them who you are and why you are writing. Do this in the first
sentence or two of your email. For example, you might say: "My name is Maria Ramos. I'm
contacting you to apply for the administrative assistant position listed on
CareerXYZ.com."

 Prioritize the most important information.  Follow with the body of your email. Put the
most important content near the top. This respects your recipient’s time and makes the
purpose of your email clear.
 Get to the point. For a formal email be direct, as well as polite. If you give too much
unnecessary information, you will lose your reader and make it harder to figure out what
you want or need from them.
 Keep it brief. There’s no set length for how long an email should be. However, it’s a good
idea to keep an email to about one (laptop or desktop size) screen length. If your email is
long, break it up into short paragraphs. Insert a line break between each paragraph
instead of indenting.
 Use formal language.  Formal emails are written for professional contexts, so you’ll want
to give a good impression. Use complete sentences and polite phrasing. Avoid: slang,
unnecessary contractions, emoticons and emojis, profanity, jokes

6. Use a formal closing

 There are a variety of closings that are acceptable in formal emails. Examples of potential
closings include: "Yours sincerely,", "Yours cordially,", "Respectfully,", "Best regards,".
Make sure to follow up with your full name and job title (if you have one).

7. Include any necessary attachments 

 If you need to include any attachments, make sure to mention them in the body of the
email to let the recipient know that they are included.

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Samples: Writing an email

Informal Email Writing Samples

A) Email expressing your appreciation

To: Recipient’s email address

Subject: Congratulations!

Dear (Name),

My heartfelt congratulations to you. I was glad to see your name on the merit list. All your efforts were definitely not
in vain. I bet everyone at home is very proud of you.

You have truly honored the family name, and I am happy that you would get to take up the course in architecture
that you had been waiting for. I am waiting to meet you in person to convey my appreciation.

Convey my regards to uncle, aunty and grandpa.

Best Regards,

Your name

B) Email about your trip

To: Recipient’s email ID

Subject: About my trip

My dear (Name),

I am very excited to write to you about the long tour I will be going on along with my parents. We will be leaving on
the 25th.

We will be away for three months. We are going to San Francisco for an official meeting my father has to attend. We
would then be travelling to New York to visit our cousins. We would stay there for a month. After that, we will be
going to Paris. It has always been my dream to visit Paris at least once in my lifetime, and my parents have finally
agreed to take me there. I will definitely write to you all about my trip – all the different places we visit, the variety of
food we eat and the people we meet.

It would have been even more special if you had come along with me. We will make sure we plan out a trip once I
am back home.

With best wishes,

Your name

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Formal Email Writing Format Samples

A) Thank you email for a job interview

Dear [name of hiring manager],

I enjoyed speaking with you the other day at the interview for the [job name]. The job appears to be an ideal match
for my skills, ambitions, and interests.

The innovative approach to the corporate culture within the [job field] world confirmed my wish to work at your firm.

I will bring my engineering skills, assertiveness, and ability to engage others to work in a cooperative way within the
[name of department] department.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the [position title] at [company]. I have a high level of
interest in working for your firm and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
[name]
B) Formal letter of appreciation

Dear Mr./Mrs. [name],

I would like to formally recognize all the hard work and dedication you’ve put into completing [project/task]. Due to
your consistent efforts, the project is what it is today and that led to the positive results we were hoping for. 

On behalf of [company name, board members, etc.], we would like to formally thank you for your hard work, and we
would like to let you know that we highly value your contribution and your continued dedication to your job.

We are very grateful to have you as a member of our team and we wish to continue to see you thrive
within our organization.
Best regards,
[Name and job title]
C) Introduction email to a client (sample email to approach a new client)

Dear [Sir/Madame/Name],

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and my company. My name is [name] and I am a [job title] at
[company name]. Our company provides customers with cutting-edge technology for all their email signature needs.

At [company name], there are a number of services we can offer, such as [short list of services]. Our employees are
also highly dedicated and are willing to help you with your every need. 

I’d appreciate the opportunity to speak or meet with you to discuss your needs further and to tell you more about
how [company name] can help you succeed. You can contact me at [phone number] with any questions you may
have.

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 Thank you, [Your name]

9. Diary Entry / Journal Entry

A) Diary Entry
A diary is a book where you keep a daily record of events and experiences, personal thoughts
about your life, the people in it and the things you care about. A diary entry is a section of writing that is
organized by dates. The entries within your diary are how you organize the thoughts, feelings and
opinions you are pouring into it. They can be as short or as long as you want.
Your diary is a safe place where you can be honest and candid about your thoughts, feelings,
emotions and opinions. Your diary is by you and for you. Reflect, create, dream. Do whatever you want
with your words.

Tips for Writing a Diary Entry

1. Date your entries. Since your diary is to be kept over a period of time, each of your entries should be
dated, based on when you write them.

2. Pick a topic. Like chapters in a book, you want your diary entry to have some sort of theme or
direction. Is it about what you did today? Is it about an upcoming event? An event that already happened?
Try and stay focused when writing.

3. Write naturally. Don’t feel like your entries need to impress anywhere. They are just for you, so relax
and go for it.

4. Start each entry with: “Dear Diary”.

5. Use lots of details. Diaries preserve moments. Use details in your diary entries to try to preserve the
events you are writing about.

A. Journal Entry

A journal is a book where you keep a daily record of news and events of a personal nature that
chronicles activities, a summary of opinions, related to events or assignments. It is a log (record) of
events, not so much of feelings and emotions.

Date your entry.  This is the only real rule when it comes to keeping a journal. It is very useful to have
each entry dated.

It is a chronogram of your activities – Write the events in the chronological order in which they happen.
Explain events, steps of processes, ideas to supplement context.
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Start writing. As you begin your journal entry, write down your thoughts as they occur to you. Start out by
discussing the assigned topic and relating it to what you did during the day, or experiences you have had
related to it. These topics might lead you to other interesting topics about you can write about, related to
the topic.
 A journal as a space where you can write out and organize the events and related thoughts.
 A journal`s ideas are just for your eyes, so you don't need to worry about what other people think.
Feel free to express yourself in a text that is meaningful to you.
Be creative. Try incorporating different styles of writing into your journal, such as lists, poems,
screenplays or stream-of-consciousness writing. You could also include artwork such as sketches,
drawings and collages.
 Have fun. Writing a journal should be an enjoyable experience. Have fun with your writing and take
pleasure in it.
Note: When presenting the style of writing a diary/journal entry, write at least 2/3 entries, following a
sequence of the events, having follow-up among the entries.

Sample: Diary Entry

June 3, 2019, Thursday

8:30 AM

Dear Diary,
Today was my first day of school. I was very excited, but at the same time, a bit nervous to go to school. The
school was very big, and my classroom was very spacious. Since it was the first day of my school, I wanted to
create a good impression on teachers. So, I sat on the first bench. I was asked to give a self-introduction to
my classmates in the classroom. I was embarrassed, but somehow gave a short introduction about myself.
Then one girl named Tina approached me and asked me a few things like where I stayed, and from which
place I was. The conversation with Tina seemed to be interrogative but comfortable. Tina gave me a tour of
the school and I enjoyed it. For now, I consider Tina as my best friend in school. Overall, the first-day
experience in my new school was interesting.
Anyway, a new day tomorrow. Wishing myself good luck!
Good Night my dear diary 🙂
Anne

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Sample: Journal Entry
January 12, 2020, Monday
Trip to India

Dear journal
On the January 10, I returned home from my vacation in India. The trip was a memorable one and it was the
second road trip that I had planned with my friends.
We started from Mumbai on the 4th. The route went along the western ghats, and the scenic beauty left me
spellbound. We crossed several rivers and rivulets and had a night stop at Goa too. We reached Kerala on the 6th of
January. 
At Kerala, we stayed in the boats available on rent in the backwaters of the famous Malabar coast. We also
visited the tea and spice gardens. I took the famous Kerala massage also. It was such a relaxing experience.
The trip was a much-needed respite from our hectic lives and we all made the most of it. The following
days were also filled with many new and exciting places to see.
This is all for now. Bye.

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 10.GUIDELINE

A guideline is a statement (in a guide format) by which to establish a course of action, for a determined
problem or issue. A guideline aims to indicate particular processes to follow for a desired objective.
Guidelines are designed to make the actions of its users clear and more predictable. A guideline is
similar to a rule /set of rules that need to be followed to reach a determined objective.

A guideline includes:
A. Introduction:
a. title of the guideline
b. aim / objectives of the guideline – purpose of the guideline
c. description of the problem
o evidence of the problem/issue

d. description of the target population

B. Methods
a. organization: how the proposed guideline would work
o set of instructions to be followed

b. expected outcomes
c. how to use the guideline
d. Additional information:
o where to find related/required resources

o who to contact for feedback

Note: Provide information in logical, step-by-step order. Use subheadings and numbered lists to break the
instructions down into concise, single-task, actionable chunks.
Remember to:

 Use direct, clear, concise sentences that are easy to understand and to the point.
 Don´t use the word ‘should’ and start with a verb.
o Example: You should wear formal clothing.  Wear formal clothing

 Choose contractions when appropriate. They convey a casual, welcoming nature.

 Use active voice, rather than passive, whenever possible.
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 o Example: Formal clothing should be worn.  Wear formal clothing.

 Be relevant. Provide information that answers the basic questions: So? So what? Now what?
 Provide necessary context. Don’t expect your audience to know what you know, and don’t leave
them guessing about what you mean.
 Avoid technical jargon, acronyms and unnecessary big or fancy words readers will not
understand.

Sample: Guidelines
Guidelines for collaborative interaction in a course
General Objective: to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaborative inquiry in the course. 
Guideline aims:
 to help clarify expectations,
 to cultivate a sense of belonging among students,
 to facilitate students’ ability to engage productively with one another across their differences  
Description of the problem
In most collaborative courses, interaction among participants may become a problem if common
guidelines are not present. For this reason, guidelines must be clearly presented to prevent / avoid
differentiation attitudes and conflicts.
Method –
 In this course, the types of learning interactions will be: whole class discussion, small groups or
pair work, long-term team projects, question-answer led by the instructor.
 The purpose of the discussions are:
o to help participants reach a more critically informed understanding about the topic or
topics under consideration
o to enhance participants’ self-awareness and their capacity for self-critique
o to foster an appreciation among participants for the diversity of opinion that emerges when
viewpoints are exchanged openly and honestly, and
o to act as a catalyst to help people take informed action in the world.
 Define the particular learning context
o prepare to engage in particular professional or community contexts
o prepare to focus on especially high-stakes topics that will help students navigate critical
conversations
 Define the limits of guideline.
o Possible problems with expectations, norms, goals
o Challenges related to conflicts, misunderstandings and/or resistance

Guidelines for participant interaction:

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  Share responsibility for including all voices in the conversation. If you tend to have a lot to say,
make sure you leave sufficient space to hear from others. If you tend to stay quiet in group
discussions, challenge yourself to contribute so others can learn from you. 
 Listen respectfully. Don’t interrupt, turn to technology, or engage in private conversations while
others are speaking. Use attentive, courteous body language. Comments that you make (whether
asking for clarification, sharing critiques, or expanding on a point) should reflect that you have
paid attention to the previous speakers’ comments.
 Be open to changing your perspectives based on what you learn from others. Try to explore
new ideas and possibilities. Think critically about the factors that have shaped your
perspectives. Seriously consider points-of-view that differ from your current thinking. 
 Understand that we are bound to make mistakes in this space, as anyone does when
approaching complex tasks or learning new skills. Strive to see your mistakes and others’ as
valuable elements of the learning process. 
 Understand that your words have effects on others. Speak with care. If you learn that
something you’ve said was experienced as disrespectful or marginalizing, listen carefully and try
to understand that perspective. Learn how you can do better in the future.  
 Take pair work or small group work seriously. Remember that your peers’ learning is partly
dependent upon your engagement. 
 Understand that others will come to these discussions with different experiences from
yours. Be careful about assumptions and generalizations you make based only on your own
experience. Be open to hearing and learning from other perspectives. 
 Make an effort to get to know other students. Introduce yourself to students sitting near
you. Refer to classmates by name and make eye contact with other students.
 Understand that there are different approaches to solving problems. If you are uncertain about
someone else’s approach, ask a question to explore areas of uncertainty. Listen respectfully to how
and why the approach could work.
How to use the Guideline
 Post the list of guidelines in the class where everyone can see it.
 Type up the class’s list and distribute a copy to all participants.
 Revisit the guidelines in class after several class sessions to elicit revisions or additional
suggestions.
o Read the list aloud occasionally, as a whole-group reminder of the collective agreements.  
 Create a midterm and/or at the semester’s end evaluation as a point of reference for students to
self-assess their participation: ‘How have I contributed positively to the sort of learning
environment described in our discussion guidelines?’ /‘What have my strengths been as a
contributor? /Where can I grow?’) / ‘How well have we as a class been abiding by these
agreements?’).
 When interactions might be affected, remind students of the agreements.
 Do an auto-evaluation regularly to assess collaborative interaction.
o Sample autoevaluation for collaborative interaction:
 Strive for intellectual humility. Be willing to listen to challenging ideas.
 Differentiate between opinion--which everyone has--and informed knowledge, which
comes from sustained experience, study, and practice. Hold your opinions lightly and
with humility.
 Let go of personal anecdotal evidence and look at broader group-level patterns.

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 Notice your own defensive reactions and attempt to use these reactions as entry points
for gaining deeper self-knowledge, rather than as a rationale for closing off.
 Differentiate between safety and comfort. Accept discomfort as necessary for social
justice growth.

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 11. ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM
An online discussion forum is an online discussion site where people can hold

conversations in the form of posted messages. It differs from chat rooms in that messages are

often longer than one line of text and are at least temporarily archived. It should promote

collaboration, and offer individuals room to explore topics, issues, and/or questions by

expressing their understanding and/or opinions.

Discussion can take the form of debate or reflective sharing, giving participants the

opportunity to expand upon and clarify on key ideas.

A good forum post needs to:

 address the topic

 reveal the writer´s personal understanding of that topic

 promote interaction.

What makes a good discussion post?

 It should be substantial but concise. You should convey only the information that is most

meaningful and accessible to other readers.

 Always bring up new, interesting comments. You should always try to further the

discussion—be provocative! Even if you have a similar opinion as the previous

respondent, bring up an additional example or resource. Engage with others and

continue to ask follow-up questions. Be an integral part of the discussion and add

value to what is being discussed. Don’t just state that you agree or disagree with the

poster—make sure you offer an inventive reason why. Provide ideas that require others

to think and respond to what you’re sharing. Propose perspectives that can be

challenged by others.

 Always be professional and respectful to posts.Stay calm and be polite. Some people get

angry in online discussions but try to avoid that. Don’t respond emotionally to what

others have said. Respond to the ideas and arguments, not to the person.

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  Prior to posting check the message you are providing and check for errors in spelling and

grammar.

 When responding, use the person’s name to show clearly who you’re replying to.

If the discussion question asks you to respond to an open-ended question related to a particular

problem, challenge, or idea, a good post incorporates three parts:

o Part 1: State what your thought or recommendation might be on the discussion topic.

“What do you think?”

o Part 2: State why you think what you think. Examine your own experiences, beliefs, or

knowledge. It is also a good place to provide references, textual quotations, and/or links

to materials that reinforce your opinion.

o Part 3: State what you wish you knew or directly solicit the opinion of others (in other

words, ask a relevant question related to the topic!)

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 Example of a post on an online discussion forum
Instructor’s question / initial discussion theme:
Does brain size matter? Explain why or why not, using evidence.

Participant1: In answer to the question “Does brain size matter?” I would say yes. Several
studies provide evidence demonstrating that there is a link between brain size and intelligence.
Witelson (1999) compared the size of Einstein’s brain to that of other adult males and found that
the parietal lobe—connected to logic and mathematical reasoning—was 15% larger than that of
other men. This is convincing because the part of the brain that was larger than normal was
connected to Einstein’s intellectual strengths (logic/reasoning), which we know were
significantly greater than those of the average person. In addition, Salat (2004) used MRI scans to
study the volume of different parts of the brain. He found that the size of cortical and
hippocampal matter had a significant impact on adults’ memory functions. Both studies show
that not only do specific parts of the brain impact certain functions, but the size of those parts
impacts the quality of that functioning.

What should be included in a follow-up post?

The key thing to remember about follow-up posts is that you must add something new to the discussion,
rather than simply saying you agree or disagree with another person’s post. Explain why you agree or
disagree, and offer your own supporting points and evidence. 
Build on what someone else has said: “Yes, AND (to add to what has been said)…” or “Yes, BUT (to
provide another point of view)…”

Example of a follow-up post

Participant2: I agree with Participant1—brain size does matter. I wasn’t totally convinced by the
study of Einstein’s brain, however, since it seemed like the research was done more out of
personal interest (because it was Einstein) than in an attempt to establish a theory. The approach
of researchers in the MRI study Student1 mentioned was much more convincing because they
compared several participants and looked at a specific function of the brain. There is also
convincing evolutionary science that supports this belief. Skoyles (1999) notes that the human
brain has evolved to a larger size than that of its predecessor, homo erectus. He believes that the
larger size is what allows humans to develop expertise over time. By expertise, he means skills
and knowledge about how to perform vital activities, like hunting and gathering. So, having a
larger brain is not only linked to greater intelligence, but also to human survival.

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 12. An Interview Paper

An interview paper is an academic essay that focuses on providing different viewpoints

or perspectives on a particular subject or topic after having interviewed one or more
persons and gathering enough knowledge and research to write a paper.
Note: In a written task as the one you would work on in class or on an IB exam, the
interview paper may refer to a make-believe interview that provided the information
used in the paper (as there would be no time to literally have said interview). You would
need to consider the following areas to provide you with the necessary information for
your task.

Research the subject matter

For you to write on a specific subject matter and you would have conducted an
interview with someone based on their expertise, you need to create information basis
on the subject topic, elaborate questions that would have been used in the interview
and then write an effective and quality paper based on the supposed interview.

Have a list of proposed questions

 Several ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to be included in the interview, to make it easier to
gather factual information.
 Open-ended ‘how’ or ‘why’ questions so the interview would focus on
understanding in-depth explanations and provide additional background
information. Think of interesting and powerful questions.
Once the interview outline has been completed, use it to bring structure and create a
flow between each paragraph and throughout the paper.
Your interview paper should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and
a conclusion. Your introductory paragraph should contain information about the
interviewee, the interview and its objective. It needs to be phrased in such a way that it
grabs the attention of the readers, making them want to read further.

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Plan your paper so as to include the (supposed) interviewee’s opinions and thoughts
and clearly state the ideas that would be your own, and the ones that were from other
resources.

Introduction: The introduction should include a description of a situation that caused the interview.
Then, it should include a description, statistics, and/or questions from the interview. Also, the paper
could begin with a dictionary definition, an appropriate reference to a movie, T.V. show, song, or a
quote.

Body: The body of the paper should follow the order of reasons that were put together from the notes.
The answers that would have been given by the interviewee should be quoted, paraphrased, and/or
summarized. Then, an analysis of the connections between reasons and why those conclusions might
have been reached should be expressed.

Conclusion: The paper should be concluded with a paragraph or two explaining which point of view has
the most validity, and why. If none of the viewpoints from the interview coincided with your opinion, you
should talk about that.

Decide the format that the interview paper will be in:

 Narrative Format: This is written in the form of a story. It can be written in your
point of view or the point of view of the interviewee. This is the most common
format used in colleges and gives a scope to add context and analysis.

 Question & Answer Format: This format places the questions that were asked
to the interviewee and the responses given, right next to each question. These
are mostly always direct quotes and can be used when interviewing a single
person or a group of people who are closely related.

 Personal or Conversational Format: This is presented in the form of dialogues.

Here, the tone is informal and can address the readers directly by writing in the
first or second person.

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 Example of an interview essay
A. Narrative format

Monica Confides, still breaking records

I never thought I would have to go as far as Australia to write a story on a fellow High School
alumnus, Monica Confides. I was of course always familiar with her track breaking record all
through school, but I never had the opportunity to talk with her one on one.

Now here I am in beautiful Sydney, waiting patiently with pen and paper in hand for Monica to
finish her interview with NBC. It’s a delightful day with a temperature of about 85 degrees, and
the sun shimmering down brightly. I can almost feel the same excitement in the air as Monica
must have felt when winning the gold medal.

Nearly an hour and an half after arriving to the Olympic tent I spot Monica trying to escape a
gaggle of anxious reporters. Eventually I get her attention and she calls me over to where she
is sitting, the infield grass of the track. After all the congratulations and formalities our
interview begins.

She is friendly and open, so I enjoy her company immediately. She starts off by telling me of
her Uncle, who was in the 1976 Olympics running for Poland. “He was my mentor, whenever I
felt my practices were becoming too intense and wanted to quit, he was always there to
encourage me to thrive for success.” Unfortunately, Monica’s Uncle Peter passed away in 1996,
but Monica says that despite the pain she felt she knows her Uncle is smiling down on her
today: “I used to fear the death of a loved one the most, but I realize now that death is a part of
life and that a death in this life might signify a birth in another.”
Most people don’t realize the nervousness and anxiety that accompany someone to the
Olympics. For Monica this plague attacked before her big day. “I went out to dinner with my
teammates that evening. It wasn’t until 2 o’clock that morning when it started feeling as if the
kangaroo steaks I had for dinner were still hopping around in my stomach.” Monica thought
that she wouldn’t even be able to compete in, let win the race the next day. But the key break
came when she was awarded the inside position, which saves the runner some advantage at
the beginning of the race.

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B. Question format

Is REBT good psychotherapy?

Last week, I interviewed Nicolla Waller, an expert psychologist in the field of mental
health with a major in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). Here are some of
her responses to the questions.

What are the factors that led you to choose psychotherapy as your major focus in the field
of mental health?
That is hard to say. I was always interested in people and how they behaved. I guess I am a
practical person and studying psychology just for the knowledge was not interesting if I could
not put it to use. Also, I had a younger brother who had some problems, and no one seemed to
be able to help him. That clearly had some influence on me. I have always fond people to be so
fascinating and I feel so gratified when someone leaves me and makes changes in their life.
What are the unique properties of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) when
compared to other psychotherapy approaches? Which features of other psychotherapy
does it oppose to?
REBT is more philosophical and specifically draws on Stoic and Existential philosophy. In the
college I attended (Villanova University), everyone had a philosophy minor. So I felt at home with
this aspect of REBT. Manny Americans do not like this aspect of REBT, because we have such
poor training in philosophy in our country. I lie to debate so I was drawn to the active discussion
with the client about their personal beliefs and teaching about more healthy ways of thinking.
So, I think the active-directive nature of REBT is its most unique feature and the one that drew
me to it. REBT is cognitive but so our other psychotherapies. REBT’s focus on acceptance of our
selves, others, the world, and the universe, and RENT’s focus on the evaluative thoughts about
the way the world is that main distinction from others CBT theories. I have been most opposed
to the passivity of many psychotherapists. It is very nice to wait for people to discover things on
their own, but the... ... middle of paper ... ...element of many contemporary forms of CBT. The
focus on secondary emotional disturbance is another concept that has been adopted by many
forms of CBT. So, we are silently creeping into the ideas of others.
As a person who has been teaching at your university, and also at the Albert Ellis Institute
what can you suggest to young colleagues who want to become cognitive behavioral
therapists? What should be the fundamentals of this education according to you?
This is a hard question. I think a good REBT therapist knows very much about psychopathology,
personality theory and research, social psychology, and of course cognitive psychology. Next you
need to learn about how to red human emotions in the faces and speech of your clients. Also,
good therapists need to learn basic micro counseling skills and how to develop and maintain the
therapeutic alliance in all clients.

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