This week we will be considering the relationship between political writing, both as it is and as it should be, and effective deliberation.  We will also be addressing some common writing problems faced by many students in this class, and continuing to move forward with the policy sequence.

Task One: Read the first three chapters of Adam Garfinkle’s Political Writing: A Guide to Essentials and George Orwell’s classic essay, “The Politics of the English Language.”  Click here to access these readings.

Task Two: Watch this video lecture.

Task Three: Comment on this post.

Task Four: Go to the Class Posts Page and respond to at least two of the Problem Memos posted by your classmates.  Use the prompt below as a guide.

Do you think that the writer has made the best possible case for the seriousness of the problem.  If so, what pieces of evidence did you find most most convincing as to the seriousness of the problem?  If not, what more could the writer do to allow you to better understand the problem and how important it is?

You can also use the comments to express an interest in working together and exchange emails.