Bridging Course 2012

Writing Assignment 1

The basic task is to find a newspaper story that has ethical implications, and to write a short essay that summarises the story and explains the ethical issues that are raised. You do not need to present one particular view as "correct", although you can if you wish to.

This task should give you basic practice in academic writing, in preparation for your term paper. The instructions below should show you that writing is a process that involves thinking, planning, careful reading, re-reading and revising as well as writing itself. It is also important to be aware that you are writing for the reader (in this case, your peer reviewer and me) as well as for yourself.

Instructions and advice.
1. You must find a story, in other words, the report of an incident not a column giving someone's opinion about an ethical issue. You can use either a paper newspaper or an online edition.
2. The original story can be in either Japanese or English. If it is in Japanese, the story will be easy to understand, but it may be hard to summarise the main elements of the story in English. If it is in English, the story may be harder to understand, but it might be easier to write about it in English. However, you must use your own words rather than copy phrases or sentences from the original.
3. First you need to work out the main points of the story. (What/who is it about? Where/When/How/Why did it occur?) Then do some brainstorming about the ethical implications of the story. (Does it involve good/bad actions, decisions, intentions, results? Why are they good/bad? What does the story teach us/make us think about? What were the causes? What might be the results?) [Some people find it easier to develop their ideas if they can talk about them to a friend. Other people prefer to write their ideas down. Which type of person are you?]
4. Arrange the points that you want to make into a logical order. (Remember that you need an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.) Write this as a plan for peer revision in class 4. You can also get feedback from me if you want to.
AFTER CLASS 4
5. Write your first draft. (There are some instructions for formatting with Microsoft Word available for download from 授業支援.) Use the outline to help you, but change it if necessary.
6. Read what you have written carefully. Imagine that you are reading it for the first time. Is the meaning clear? Are the ideas in a logical order? Are there any obvious mistakes? Use the checklist to help you.
7. Rewrite. [If you have time, repeat 6 and 7 at least once more.]
8. In class 5, a friend will read your first draft and make helpful comments. Do this for the friend as well. Use the checklist...
AFTER CLASS 5
9. Read what you have written again, and think about the comments that the friend has made. Rewrite. Read again. Rewrite...
10. In class 6, submit the revised draft (along with the first draft).
11. When I return your revised draft in Class 10, make sure that you understand my comments.
AFTER CLASS 10
12. Read what you wrote again, and think about my comments. Rewrite. Read again. Rewrite...
13. In class 11, submit your second draft (along with the revised draft).


Here are some examples of essays about the ethical aspects of news stories, from the Guardian, a British newspaper:
An essay about media ethics that is based on this story.
An essay about the killing of Osama bin Laden.