For the second quarter out-of-class essay, you will be completing a Columnist Project.
The Columnist Project requires that you choose one columnist and then analyze 6 columns (using the SOAPS method) that he or she has written. I'd prefer that only one person in the class choose each columnist, and I require that no two AP students are analyzing the same columns by the same columnist.
After completing a SOAPS analysis for each column, write a 2-4 page essay explaining a thesis of your own with regard to the columnist's purpose, style, etc. (Your essay requires some type of comparative analysis). Requirements: 12 point font, double spaced, MLA form, Bibliography Page, turnitin.com. Please submit all drafts (esp. SOAPS analyses) with your final. If you have a teacher or peer edit your work, please have him or her sign that draft. Please submit all drafts with your final copy.
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Step One: Choose a columnist. (11/20) Step Two: Choose six columns. (11/28) Step Three: Analyze the columns using the SOAPS method. (12/3) Step Four: Write your thesis. (This is a very important step! You should have your thesis approved by Mrs. Bush before you begin writing. Remember, you may visit the writing lab if you are stuck coming up with a thesis in the first place.) (12/6) Step Five: Write the paper, using specific evidence from the columns you chose. (Have the paper proofread, submit to turnitin.com, provide hard copy for me.) Don't forget your Bibliography. (Draft 12/13) (Final 12/17) Step Six: Write a cover letter and send your corrected paper to your columnist.
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Connie Schultz is The Plain Dealer columnist who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005. The linked website includes her columns from the past 180 days, plus links to her Pulitzer Prize winning columns.
One Pulitzer Prize Winning journalist in 2004 was Leonard Pitts. View his website which has full text versions of many of his columns.
Two columnists who were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2004 were Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times and Cynthia Tucker of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Check out the Pulitzer Prize committee's list of winning Commentary Writers. Then, choose a few key names to google and see whether or not you're interested and what's available for your use. Some that I am familiar with include: Anna Quindlen, Ellen Goodman, George Will, William Safire, Mike Royko, Charles Krauthammer, and Dave Barry. Goodman's words have previously appeared on the AP English Language test. A few that I am not familiar with include: Colbert King, Claudia Rosett, Paul Gigot, Russell Baker, and Art Buchwald.
Cleveland.com offers a chance to read the past month's worth of columns by Plain Dealer columnists. This webpage will help you get started. Just be sure that you really choose columns and not articles. Check with me if you're not sure. Some of the most well-known writers are Dick Faegler, Regina Brett, Tom Feran, and Joanna Connors.
One of my favorite columnists at the Plain Dealer was Afi-Odelia Scruggs. Apparently she's left the Cleveland Scene. However, you can still check out a few of her favorite columns at In The Fray.
Even a Sports Columnist such as Rick Reilly, who's been named National Sportswriter of the Year eight times, is a reasonable choice for this assignment.
