Op–Ed Assignment
Advocacy writing is a critical tool for environmental policy–making, public education and activism. One
purpose of this class is to support students in developing and framing arguments about technical issues in
language appropriate to policy settings and public venues outside of academia. Traditionally op–ed pieces
have been written by people who are not staff members of a newspaper to present an argument or
perspective on current issues, and are found on the page opposite the editorials (hence the term op–ed).
You are strongly encouraged to submit your op–ed piece for publication. Possible venues for publication
include online publications, blogs, national and local newspapers, and radio commentaries.
Assignment:
A. Write a concise and compelling op–ed piece (no more than 750 words) that advances an argument for action on any issue in the field of environmental health and development with a technical or scientific component.
B. Identify one or more possible venues for publication.
