"FARMINGVILLE"
TASK FIVE:  YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR
During this webquest, you have read an online discussion with the filmmakers, you have read what has happened since the film's release, and you have reviewed both sides of the issue.  Now you can write your "Viewpoints Essay".
Once you decide what your own opinion is, you will use your five (or more) reasons that you had written in Task 3 or Task 4 to support your argument. 
As an American citizen, you are entitled to your own opinion and you have the right to voice that opinion in a public forum such as an op/ed page in a newspaper.  Indeed, you may live in or near the town of Farmingville and may have very personal feelings about this issue.  I want you to know that you will not be graded on whether or not I agree with your views.  I will, however, be grading your paper on the following guidelines:
Spelling and grammar
Sentence and Paragraph Construction
Your views are clearly stated and supported
Use of appropriate language - no "name calling" or ethnic slurs
Your paper is well-constructed and intelligently written
Remember:  This is a real essay with a real audience!  People at Newsday will be reading your essays when I send them to the paper.  Who knows, one or more of the essays may end up being printed! 

Here are the details of what is required of the essay taken from
Newsday.com:

"New Voices"
College, high school, and middle school students are invited to submit nonfiction essays for Viewpoints weekly New Voices feature.  Articles should be 400 words or less; writers are paid. 
Send submissions, with writer's photo, street and email addresses and phone number to:
New Voices, Viewpoints
Newsday
235 Pinelawn Road
Melville, NY  11747
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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