InstructionsWrite a 800-1,000-word (hard limits on both ends) essay appropriate

InstructionsWrite a 800-1,000-word (hard limits on both ends) essay appropriate for the op-ed genre as described above.
Address a specific aspect of the topics we have discussed in class (romantic, friendship, parental love, the role of love in a committed life, or any of the aspects and issues discussed in the readings and during class, or related to these discussions) that is both important and timely. *Make sure that you discuss at least one of the different accounts and theories on love that we have covered in class, and that you either criticize or defend them by providing arguments and/or evidence.*
Make a specific, unique, well-supported, and logical argument about your topic, quoting from, summarizing, and/or referring to at least one of the authors we have read and discussed so far this semester, in addition to any other examples, evidence, or personal experiences you wish to include. Hint: Keep track of all the sources and websites you are looking at as you think more about your topic. Some of these you might want to link to from the text of your op-ed.
Use key features of the op-ed genre including a strong opening, short and punchy paragraphing, an acknowledgment of alternative points of view, and a “should” statement near the end of your essay.
Consider your intended audience when making rhetorical decisions, such as about how much background information to include, what kind of counter-arguments to address, or what tone and what kind of diction to use.
Be creative! You can include images, lyrics from songs, lines from poems, refer to scenes from movies, or anything else that contributes to making your point in a fun and engaging way.
Distinguishing Characteristics of an Op-Ed
Typically, it is short, between 800 and 1,000 words.
It has a clearly defined point.
It has a clearly defined point of view.
It represents clarity of thinking.
It contains the strong, unique voice of the writer.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing an Op-Ed or Column
Do I have a clear point to make?
What is it?
Who cares? (Writing with a particular audience in mind can inform how you execute your piece).
Is there substance to my argument?
Topic
Every successful op-ed piece or column must have a clearly defined topic.
The topic is usually stated in the first paragraph.
Ask yourself: What’s the big, overarching idea of the column? What’s your point? Why is your point important?
Research
While columns and op-ed pieces allow writers to include their own voice and express an opinion, to be successful the columns must be grounded in solid research. Research involves acquiring facts, quotations, citations, or data from sources and personal observation.
Openings
The first line of an op-ed is crucial. The opening “hook” may grab the reader’s attention with a strong claim, a surprising fact, a metaphor, a mystery, or a counter-intuitive observation that entices the reader into reading more.
The opening also briefly lays the foundation for your argument.
Endings
Every good op-ed piece needs a strong ending which has some basic requirements. It:
Echoes or answers the introduction
Is the last and often most memorable detail
Contains a final moral or calls the reader to action (“should” statements)
Some good examples:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/good-girls-or-why-powerful-men-get-to-keep-on-behaving_b_58d5b420e4b0f633072b37c3Links to an external site.
https://digitalnative.substack.com/p/will-ai-take-our-jobs-exploring-aisLinks to an external site.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/opinion/i-dont-want-you-to-believe-me-i-want-you-to-listen.htmlLinks to an external site.