Writing in the World Projects are designed to help you practice responding in writing to particular rhetorical situations. In the section called “Get Your Assignment,” you’ll find an overview of the writing situation and a description of your task. Once you understand your general assignment, view the section titled “Read Your Files,” which gives an expanded view of the situation from the perspectives of different people and groups who have a stake in the matter. The files also provide the in-depth information you will need in order to write knowledgeably. Some projects include clip art and photos that you can use in your project.
- Clean Up Towering Pines (or Not)! A Newspaper Editorial
You are a citizen writing an editorial in your local newspaper trying to convince your fellow townspeople to support your plan for Towering Pines, a nearby wilderness preserve.
- Homelessness in Portland: A Reflective Essay
You are a college student writing an essay in your composition class. In it, you reflect upon the stories of several homeless men you have recently interviewed.
- Visit Big Bend! A Persuasive Brochure
You are an advertiser writing and designing a persuasive brochure detailing the attractions of the Big Bend region in southwest Texas.
- Help a Neighbor Learn to Read: An Informational Home Page
You are a volunteer designing and writing the home page for Literacy Memphis, an organization that provides adults instruction in basic reading skills.
- Assessing the “Most Feared Man in Hollywood": An Academic Review
You are a student writing a critical assessment of movie critic Harry Knowles for an academic journal.
- Requesting Funds for a Student Organization: An Application Letter
You are the vice president of a student group writing a request for funding support from a university office.
- Tracking Sales, Profits, and Customers: A Report on a Promotional Campaign
You are an intern in the food service industry writing a report on a recent promotional campaign.
- The Perseid Meteors: An Informative News Feature
You are a reporter for the Features desk of a local monthly news magazine, writing an article on popular astronomy for the general public.
- Active Kids Summer Sports Camp: A Promotional Booklet
You are an assistant director of a sports program for kids, researching and writing an informational booklet for parents and children about summer camp options.
- Pedestrian Safety: A Cost-Benefit Analysis and Report
You are working for a City Council member, writing a cost-benefit analysis of a plan to add a traffic signal on a busy street.
