Introduction
For this assignment, you will compose either a script or a blog in response to another article. Be
sure to read the instructions and pay attention to the resources as they will help you format
your assignment correctly.
Assignment
Choose one of the topics and pre-existing texts below to respond to in a text drafted for new
media. You are not required to film a video or edit a TikTok. Instead, you will be demonstrating
an understanding of the rhetorical context of new media through drafting either a script for a
video that would be posted to YouTube or some other video aggregate site or a blog post that
could be submitted to a digital publisher specializing in reader-generated content.
Texts for Response (choose one)
• “Editorial: How Can Kids Learn Without Homework and Rigid Dealines? Quite Well, It
Turns Out” by Los Angeles Times Editorial Board for the Los Angeles Times (opens in new
window): Frame your response around whether or not you agree with the editorial
board’s stance on homework and deadlines. Would it be better if we relaxed homework
expectations for kids? Should this be implemented across all levels of education? Or is
this dangerous?
• “The Case for Lowering the Drinking Age to 18” by Shayna Herszage for The Yeshiva
University Observer (opens in new window): Frame your response around whether you
agree with the points made by Herszage. Why do you agree? Why do you disagree?
What do you think the drinking age should be?
• “I’m an Influencer and I think Social Media is Toxic,” by Lydia Keating for Slate (opens in
new window): Frame your response around whether or not you agree with Keating’s
take. Can you understand why she feels the way she feels? Can you understand why she
continues to do the work even while feeling this way? How do you feel about the toxicity
of social media in general?
• “How Rap’s SoundCloud Generation Changed the Music Business Forever,” by Alphonse
Pierre for Pitchfork (opens in new window): Frame your response around whether it is a
good thing that artists are able to distribute their own music without record labels or do
you think that the music industry was better when it was harder for people to be heard?
Grading Criteria:
• You must refer to your chosen text in your response. You’re responding to it. Choose a
handful of specific points made in the original text you wish to respond to. Quote the
original and offer your take.
• Think about how texts written for new media acknowledge sources.
You must acknowledge any sources you use in your writing according to expectations for
new media. This includes your chosen text and any other source material you
incorporate.
• Submissions should be around 700 words and in the format appropriate to your chosen
genre.
Resources:
• “How to Write a Text Response” from Literacy Ideas (opens in new tab): A detailed look
at how to draft a piece of response writing
• “How to Write a Script for a YouTube Video (5 Step Template)” from PrimalVideo (opens
in new tab): A template and step-by-step guide for drafting a script for a video project to
be posted for online engagement
• “How to Write a Blog Post” from MasterClass (opens in new tab): A guide for writing
compelling blog posts
