IB English: Paper One: Op-Eds

Summary

In this video, Dave and Andrew, the IB English Guys, delve into the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Leonard Pitts Jr. They explore his unique writing style through the analysis of three of his op-eds, discussing key techniques like effective headlines, engaging anecdotes, strong voice, and emotional language. By breaking down Pitts’ use of rhetorical questions, metaphor, parallel structures, and a compelling call to action, the video teaches students how to analyze and emulate his writing to craft powerful opinion pieces. This educational discussion highlights how Leonard Pitts connects with readers and delivers thought-provoking messages on global issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leonard Pitts Jr. is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his engaging opinion editorials that cover a wide range of global issues, including social media, war, and international relations.
• 😀 One of the key strategies in Leonard Pitts Jr.'s writing is his ability to connect with readers through inclusive language, making them feel personally involved in the topic.
• 😀 He uses strong, emotive language to evoke deep emotional responses from readers, often incorporating powerful metaphors and vivid descriptions to enhance the impact of his writing.
• 😀 Pitts' headlines and hooks are carefully crafted to grab attention immediately, often hinting at the main argument or creating curiosity to encourage further reading.
• 😀 The use of repeated sentence structures, such as 'they say,' allows Pitts to effectively highlight contradictions or weaknesses in his arguments, making them more persuasive.
• 😀 His writing is structured with short, digestible paragraphs that make the content more approachable and easier to follow for readers.
• 😀 Rhetorical techniques, such as asking rhetorical questions followed by their answers (hypophora), help guide the reader’s understanding and strengthen his point of view.
• 😀 Personal anecdotes, such as the story of two brothers with differing views on vaccine hesitancy, build empathy and help readers connect emotionally with the issues discussed.
• 😀 Pitts frequently uses a circular structure in his pieces, starting and ending with related points or symbols to create a cohesive, impactful narrative.
• 😀 Every op-ed by Leonard Pitts Jr. ends with a clear call to action, urging readers to reflect, change their behavior, or consider a new perspective on the issue.
• 😀 Pitts’ tone is often angry and biting, using sarcasm and irony to underscore the seriousness of the issues he addresses, making his arguments both persuasive and thought-provoking.

Q & A

Who is Leonard Pitts Jr. and why is he admired by the speakers?

Leonard Pitts Jr. is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and syndicated columnist who writes for the *Miami Herald*. The speakers admire him because he covers a wide range of global issues and is known for his engaging, passionate writing. They also value him as a mentor text for aspiring writers due to his ability to craft compelling and well-structured opinion pieces.

What is the mnemonic used to analyze an op-ed and what does it stand for?

The mnemonic is 'Honor Aunt Vera Because She Requires Care and Love', and it stands for: H - Headlines and Hooks, A - Anecdotes and Stories, V - Voice, B - Background, S - Structural Moves, R - Reader Connection, L - Language, C - Call to Action.

How does Leonard Pitts Jr. use the headline in his op-ed about Facebook?

In his Facebook op-ed, the headline 'Maybe You Can’t Fix Facebook, But Signing Off Is a Breeze' immediately makes the main claim clear. Pitts suggests that while Facebook's issues may not be fixable, users have the power to disengage from the platform, setting the tone for the rest of the piece.

What structural move does Leonard Pitts Jr. employ in the Facebook op-ed, and why is it effective?

Pitts uses a repeated structure in the sentence, starting with 'they say', to emphasize the negative facts about Facebook. This repetition helps highlight the contradiction between what Facebook claims and the reality of the platform's issues, making the argument more compelling.

What rhetorical technique does Pitts use in his Facebook op-ed to engage readers?

Pitts uses hypophora, where he asks a rhetorical question ('But can that really be done?') and immediately answers it ('There is reason to doubt'). This technique engages readers by prompting them to think and then providing the answer, reinforcing his main argument.

How does Leonard Pitts Jr. use metaphor in his op-ed about Afghanistan?

In the Afghanistan op-ed, Pitts compares the men falling in a video to the size of a period, and later describes the period as the 'end to some sentence that no one wrote.' This metaphor highlights the dehumanization of Afghan people and reflects the senselessness of the war, emphasizing how the victims were left nameless and forgotten.

What is the effect of the circular structure in the Afghanistan op-ed?

The circular structure of the Afghanistan op-ed reinforces its central theme. At the end of the article, Pitts reminds readers that the 'dots' from the headline were real people, by revealing their names. This connects back to the opening and emphasizes the human cost of the war, making the call to action more impactful.

How does Leonard Pitts Jr. use language to convey the dire situation in Afghanistan?

Pitts uses powerful lexical choices such as 'greasy,' 'grisly,' and 'miserable' to describe the conditions in Afghanistan. These vivid words create a sense of urgency and sadness, illustrating the severity of the situation and drawing readers into the emotional aspect of the conflict.

What role does anecdote play in the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy op-ed?

The anecdote about two brothers, one a conservative radio host and vaccine skeptic, and the other who changed his mind and survived, serves to personalize the issue of vaccine hesitancy. It creates an emotional connection with the reader and underscores the human impact of the pandemic, making the argument more relatable.

What is Leonard Pitts Jr.'s approach to reader connection in his Covid-19 op-ed?

Pitts uses inclusive language, such as 'we', to create a sense of solidarity with the reader. This makes readers feel as though they are part of the shared experience of the pandemic, which helps to build empathy and strengthen the emotional appeal of his argument.