The Polemic also sometimes referred to as an Editorial
The editorial/polemic represents a form of classical discourse – usually the editorials we read in the Gazette are polemic in nature; they contain writers’ personal viewpoints relating to issues of interest to the community and general readers of newspaper opinion sections. Often editorials/polemics are written by non-professionals who feel the need to express an opinion, attack or refute an opinion or perspective expressed by someone else. Consider the letters to the editor and Guest Columns published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. However, editorials/polemics are also written by reputable journalists and academicians, like John Graham, Leonard Pitts, Kathleen Turner, and Susan Coulter—these writers appear as syndicated columnists in major newspapers across the country. So, an editorial/polemic defined simply is “a specific kind of popular, civic, written discourse. The word polemic comes from the Greek word polémikos—“of or relating to war.”
The following generalizations further characterize an editorial or polemic:
1. They are “occasional” in the sense of referring to a particular and current incident or occasion, which can be local, regional, or national. Consider the current Tea Party politics, Arizona’s new Immigration law, the nation’s obesity problem, health care reform bill, etc.
2. In editorials/polemics, the writer’s views are clearly and forcefully presented. First- person pronouns (I, me, we), for example, are appropriate in this kind of writing, and the writer may also present her or himself as angry, frustrated or even infuriated, so that the reader accesses the writer’s emotions concerning the issue.
3. Editorials/polemics are normally brief (for the purposes of Comp I, 750-850 words). Much of the writing included in the opinion/editorial section of the Gazette takes the form of the editorial/polemic.
4. Often, but not always, a polemic includes an attack on the opinions or response to a problem proposed by someone else.
5. Included in polemics is a call to action or alternative solution to the problem addressed. This call to action can be very bold and clearly stated or fairly subtle.
6. The writer may employ humor or irony.
7. Editorials/polemics are a form of popular discourse. “Popular” here means that neither the writer nor the audience is expected to have any special prior professional or technical knowledge or expertise. Polemics involve one citizen writing to other citizens. Do you think Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is a good example of an editorial/polemic?
8. Unavoidably, the writer of editorials/polemics will appeal to shared community/national values.
9. Perhaps most important, the writer is or appears to be invested in the issue; she or he wants and needs to be heard.
Taxonomy (Instructions/guidelines) of the polemic/editorial:
1. Present a personal incident pointing to a current local, regional national problem/issue, error in thinking, or inadequate response to a social problem.
2. Point to a larger problem (generalize). Here one can cite news, refer to general knowledge, and draw on additional personal experience.
3. Editorials/polemics demonstrate the writer’s sound reasoning and her/his ability to argue a point/issue effectively and strongly.
4. (optional) Summarize a current attitude or someone else’s inadequate response and attack it. This is referred to as a rebuttal or counter argument.
5. Present an alternative. This can be ridiculous, can be humorous, and must be presented with conviction.
6. Call the readers to action (the writer’s plan). The writer needs to demand further thought or action on the part of somebody specific or the audience in general.
7. Draw upon the introduction to write a conclusion.
MLA—Research requirement:
You MUST research and investigate outside sources, borrow information from them and incorporate that information into your essay via paraphrase, summary, or direct quotation. Keep in mind that you are only allowed one (1) direct quotation in this essay. The othe
