by: Kayla Harvey- Wynn
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but everyone cannot write them well. This was the theme for the Opinion Writing workshop during the Southern Regional Press Institute.
Cindy Wheeler, Publications Adviser at Georgia Highlands College and Dr. Kristie Kemper, Director of Student Publications at Georgia Highlands College, spoke to students today about opinion writing. The session took place on the last day of the 61st annual Spring Regional Press Institute. The session was held in the library and was open to all participants of the SRPI.
Why opinion writing is needed? Who it is written for? How it can really make a difference? “You don’t have to look far to get someone’s opinion,” said Cindy Wheeler. Everyone has an opinion, but everyone cannot write about it. However, both speakers expressed if opinion stories are written properly, the stories could change the world.
Opinionated writing is needed to entertain, express a shared viewpoint, and even change the world. It’s written for curious readers and audiences that like to express his or her opinion. In addition, there are many difficulties in writing opinions, such as, writing headlines, finding a topic that has a timely news pattern, making sure the opinion story is accurate, and writing about a passionate subject. The speakers stated that opinion writing sounds easy, but it is actually one of the hardest types of writing to complete.
Kemper spoke on how opinion writing should be something an author is passionate about so his or her writing would reflect those feelings. Opinion writing is more than stating how one feels about different topics, but it should also include facts.
Just like any other news stories, the speakers confirmed to the audience that opinion stories require research too. In addition, it must include facts that do not make the writing too subjective. “Not all [opinion writing] is subjective. You can explain them objectively and include some facts,” stated Wheeler. Both speakers expressed if an opinion piece is written with passionate and facts, “Opinions can change the world.”
Essence Jones, 9 years old and student at Butler Academy Elementary School, was opinionated in the session. She asked, “Can we make them pop [first sentence of a story] and make the reader want to read it?” Wheeler replied, “Yes, that is the ultimate goal of the story.” Essence was one out of 25 elementary students that kept Dr. Kemper on her toes during the session by asking questions about opinion writing.
Dr. Kemper and Wheeler summarized the session by leaving the audience with helpful tips to write great opinion stories.
These tips included:
- Always think of a thesis statement
- Make sure it has fact
- Never use I
- Make sure it is accurate
- Give some background
- You can propose solutions
The speakers encouraged the audience that there opinion can change the world!
Revised from February 17th
Contributing: Student reporters Adrian Smalls, Perry Cooley, SirGregory Doyles, and copy editor Laketa Lewis