This assignment places the student in the perspective the artist to a question about the world at large. Students are asked to write a professionally-oriented 1500 word editorial or “op-ed” that argues for their informed opinion–via their training in the class–about the role and/or relevance of the arts (classical music, visual art, and dance) to the world today. You can advocate for the arts, criticize something about them, or both!
This is an editorial or “op-ed” like you would find in a newspaper or magazine. An editorial is an opinion essay. See the examples below to give you a sense of what they look like. The key here is for you to express what you think about the topic–both personally and intellectually. Most of you are not fine arts students. So, I encourage you to use your chosen field of study or interest as a starting point when discussing way the value (if any) of aesthetic ideas and training in today’s world.
Pretend you are talking to the general public and tell them what YOU want to let them know. Think in a socially conscious manner. In a real op-ed, your essay will be out in the world for everyone to read essentially forever (overstating that, but you get the point). Try to make a difference with your opinion!!! You are talking to the world here! Convince them you are right!
The class lectures, video, and readings are your background training. Your audience/reader does not know what you know right now because of it. They did not watch the videos on “Why Beauty Matters” or listen to the lectures on the Formal Elements of Art. They do not understand, like you do, that there is a difference between art and entertainment, etc. So, believe it or not, you are becoming an authority on these things, since most people in the world have not taken a university course on the subjects. But you have!
The formal definitions of an Editorial and Op-Ed are:
editorial
noun
an article in a newspaper or other periodical or on a website presenting the opinion of the publisher, writer, or editor.
op-ed
/ (ˈɒpˌɛd) /
noun
a page of a newspaper where varying opinions are expressed by columnists, commentators, etc
Read the sample op-eds below. These will help put you in the editorial mindset. Keep in mind that this is hard! So do not get discouraged! Writing is a process whereby you develop your thoughts on a topic. Personal reactions and perspectives on the subject inform the larger thesis of the editorial. Although the assignments are read by faculty and graders, students are asked to write the editorial for the general public.
In an op-ed, there is an overarching perspective you are trying to get across.
Use the below template as a guide.
1.) First, your essay must have a sentence in the first paragraph that starts with” “This essay argues…” and then state your overall conclusion right at the start. You might need to write your paper first to see what you really think. You can then go back to the first paragraph and add that sentence.
2.) Start with what you thought about about classical music, visual art, and formal dance before starting this course. Some questions you might consider: Did you have any past experiences with the arts? Were they positive, negative, neutral? How so? Why did you choose to take an arts course for your elective?
3). Then consider this: science and technology now rule the contemporary world. On the other hand, the arts seem to be tied to the past. What, if anything, can the arts say or do for society in this present state of affairs? Think about and/or use the examples in the e-text and the weekly lLectures/videos to support your opinion. Peruse some of the major museums such as:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The British Museum
The Louvre
The State Hermitage Museum
The National Gallery of Art
Watch some important musical and dance performances:
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 w/ Khatia Buniatishvili
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 w/ Anna Fedorova
The Rite of Spring (Igor Stravinsky)
The Dying Swan (Natalia Osipova)
Les Miserables (King’s Academy)
4). Continue Talk about what is it that you like or dislike about the arts? You can react to any aspect of the arts or artistic disciplines you like. You can use specific artworks, and musical or dance performances to inform your views, or you can talk more generally. Are some pieces/artworks more compelling than others? Which ones and why? These should all support your overall point of view/opinion.
5). Finally, sum up by restating your overall opinion: why you wrote this for others to read, what you want them to believe, and why you think you are right. Try to leave your reader with a strong feeling or emotion!
Footnotes or a Works Cited are prohibited since one’s personally reactions and opinions are being put forward.
Papers are not graded on whether the instructor necessarily agrees with the thoughts and ideas presented, but are assessed on adherence to the guidelines and the writers’ ability to accurately and cogently express themselves in a professional, intellectual manner.
In terms of your paper, remember that you need a thesis statement (your overall argument, opinion, position). Again, feel free to talk about multiple artworks/performances/ideas from the class!
