Writing for Social Justice from edX

Can writing change your world? Writing with power about personal, social, and political issues can change minds, introduce solutions to old problems, and help you become a more engaged participant in public life.

Everyone has issues that matter deeply to them, whether they are:

Personal--such as defining the goals and ideas that are important you,
Local--such as the governance of the public library or enactment of local laws and propositions,
National--including critical political and social issues being decided on a larger scale, or
Global--challenges facing the planet from perspectives of social and ecological change.

In Writing for Social Justice, you will learn the importance of word choices in writing for different genres in order to reach your audience. Specifically, you will learn to:

keep a personal journal to help you identify issues and ideas that matter in your world
write letters to public officials that will capture attention without being dogmatic or offensive
craft opinion articles that take opposing positions into account, while using critical thinking and effective strategies for successfully arguing logically for your own ideas
optionally, develop and maintain a blog or podcast of your writing in order to reach a wider audience

There will be short example readings included in the course, which will serve as models of different persuasive genres.

You will also share your writing with other students in the course, getting and offering feedback on assignments.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Effective and powerful vocabulary
Persuasive writing
How to use evidence instead of emotion in persuasive arguments

Where and how to publish your work
What you'll learn:

Effective and powerful vocabulary
Persuasive writing
How to use evidence instead of emotion in persuasive arguments
Where and how to publish your work
What you'll learn:

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the powerful role that writing can play in bringing about change for personal, social, and political issues

Incorporates personal journaling as a means for learners to identify relevant ideas and issues

Provides guidance on crafting persuasive arguments that account for opposing viewpoints

Offers the option to develop a blog or podcast to disseminate writing for wider impact

Utilizes a variety of persuasive genres as models for effective writing

Emphasizes the importance of evidence-based arguments to support logical reasoning

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing for Social Justice with these activities:

Read 'On Writing Well' by Zinsser

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Provides insights into effective writing techniques and reinforces the principles taught in the course.

View Extraordinary Lives on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters of the book
Take notes and highlight important concepts
Apply the techniques learned in the book to your own writing

Review key persuasive writing strategies

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Review key persuasive writing strategies to prepare for crafting persuasive arguments.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Read articles or articles and identify the persuasive techniques used.
Practice writing persuasive paragraphs using different techniques.

Explore online resources on persuasive writing

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Enhance your understanding of persuasive writing by exploring online resources.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Search for and identify reputable online resources on persuasive writing.
Read articles, watch videos, or take interactive courses to learn about different techniques and best practices.
Take notes or create a summary of the key concepts you learn.

17 other activities

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Read a book on persuasive writing

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Gain a deeper understanding of persuasive writing principles by reading a classic book on the subject.

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of the book and set aside dedicated time for reading.
Read each chapter carefully, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Reflect on the ideas presented in the book and consider how they can enhance your writing.

Seek guidance from a writing mentor

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Connect with a writing mentor to receive personalized guidance and support in developing your writing abilities.

Browse courses on Feedback

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Identify potential mentors who have expertise in persuasive writing.
Reach out to mentors and express your interest in receiving mentorship.
Meet regularly with your mentor to discuss your writing goals, receive feedback, and improve your skills.

Organize course materials

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Review and organize the materials from each module to gain a better understanding of the course structure and content.

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Gather and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Create a system for storing and organizing materials
Review materials regularly to reinforce learning

Start a personal journal

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Encourages students to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which can provide valuable insights for their writing.

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Choose a journal or notebook to use
Set aside a specific time each day to write
Write about anything that comes to mind, without judgment
Review your entries regularly to track progress

Follow a Series of Tutorials on Writing for Social Change

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Expand your knowledge and techniques by following expert guidance.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Identify reputable tutorials or online courses
Review the course outlines and select relevant tutorials
Complete the tutorials and apply the techniques
Seek feedback and critique on your work

Practice writing attention-grabbing introductions

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Practice writing attention-grabbing introductions to engage readers from the start.

Browse courses on Introductions

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Brainstorm different types of attention-grabbing introductions (e.g., anecdote, startling statistic, question).
Write multiple introductions for the same topic, experimenting with different techniques.
Share your introductions with a peer or instructor for feedback.

Offer feedback and support to other students

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Provide constructive feedback to peers to enhance their writing skills and understanding of persuasive writing.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Participate in peer review sessions.
Offer specific and actionable feedback on peers' writing, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.
Be open to receiving feedback from peers and use it to improve your own writing.

Join a study group or learning community

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Engage with peers in a study group to discuss course material, share insights, and reinforce learning.

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Find or create a study group with other students taking the same course.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, ask questions, and support each other's learning.
Collaborate on assignments or projects to gain diverse perspectives and improve outcomes.

Complete the Writing Practice Exercises

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Help develop your writing skills by completing the exercises regularly.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Review the Writing Exercise instructions
Complete the Writing Exercise
Check your work against solutions
Revise your work as needed

Follow online tutorials on persuasive writing

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Provides access to structured guidance and best practices for persuasive writing.

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Search for online tutorials on persuasive writing
Choose tutorials that align with your learning needs
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided
Review the tutorials regularly to reinforce learning

Join a Writing Critique Group

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Improve your writing by receiving feedback and sharing insights.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Find a writing critique group or workshop
Submit your writing for review and feedback
Provide constructive feedback to other group members
Incorporate feedback into your own writing

Join a writing group

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Provides a supportive environment for sharing and critiquing work, which can help improve writing skills.

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Find a writing group that aligns with your interests
Attend meetings regularly and actively participate
Share your writing for feedback
Provide constructive criticism to others

Practice writing different types of persuasive texts

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Provides opportunities to hone writing skills and apply persuasive techniques to different writing contexts.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Identify different types of persuasive texts
Analyze successful examples of persuasive writing
Practice writing different types of persuasive texts
Get feedback on your writing and revise accordingly

Write an opinion article on a current social issue

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Craft an opinion article on a current social issue, providing a well-reasoned argument supported by evidence.

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Research and choose a current social issue that you feel strongly about.
Develop a clear thesis statement that expresses your stance on the issue.
Gather evidence from credible sources to support your argument.
Organize your article into a logical structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Write a persuasive and engaging opinion article that effectively communicates your观点.

Start a Social Justice Blog

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Showcase your skills and practice writing for a specific audience.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Choose a topic/issue relevant to social justice.
Research and gather evidence for your arguments
Create an outline or draft of your blog post
Publish your blog post and promote it to your audience
Track the reach and impact of your blog post

Create a blog or podcast to share your writing

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Provides an opportunity to practice writing for a wider audience and receive feedback on your work.

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Choose a topic or niche for your blog or podcast
Create a posting schedule and stick to it
Promote your blog or podcast on social media
Interact with your audience and respond to comments

Develop a White Paper on a Social Justice Issue

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Create a detailed analysis and propose solutions to a complex social issue.

Browse courses on Persuasive Writing

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Identify a specific social justice issue to address
Conduct thorough research and gather evidence
Develop a clear thesis statement and outline
Write and revise your white paper
Share your white paper with relevant organizations and policymakers

Career center

Learners who complete Writing for Social Justice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Content Writer

Content Writers create, distribute, and manage written content for the purposes of digital marketing. Depending on the company, this work may be focused on product descriptions, blog writing, website copy, social media content, and more. This field of work is likely to be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches writing for a variety of genres and audiences, including website copywriting, opinion article writing, and argumentative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Digital Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketing Specialists use digital media to create, plan, and execute marketing campaigns for companies. This can include writing website content, managing social media accounts, and running paid advertising campaigns. This field of work is quite relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for the purpose of marketing, including persuasive and argumentative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Specialist

Grant Writer

Grant Writers research and write grant proposals for non-profit organizations. This work includes identifying potential funding sources, researching and writing grant proposals, and managing the grant application process. This field of work is very relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for getting grants approved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Journalist

Journalists write news articles, feature articles, and other types of content for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This work includes researching and interviewing sources, writing articles, and editing and revising content. This field of work is relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including persuasive and argumentative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters, including civil and criminal cases. This work includes researching and writing legal documents, arguing cases in court, and advising clients on their legal rights. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for success in law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns for companies. This work includes developing marketing strategies, creating marketing materials, and managing marketing budgets. This field of work is somewhat relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including persuasive and argumentative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Paralegal

Paralegals assist lawyers with legal research, document preparation, and other tasks. This work includes researching legal issues, drafting legal documents, and managing client files. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for success in law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. This work includes gathering data, conducting research, and writing policy reports. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for success in policy analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of companies and organizations. This work includes writing press releases, managing social media accounts, and organizing events. This field of work is somewhat relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including persuasive and argumentative writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Researcher

Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields, including social sciences, natural sciences, and business. This work includes designing and conducting research studies, analyzing data, and writing research reports. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for getting research published.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life situations, such as poverty, mental illness, and addiction. This work includes providing counseling, managing caseloads, and advocating for clients. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write persuasive and argumentative writing, which is essential for advocating for clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Teacher

Teachers plan and deliver instruction to students in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities. This work includes developing lesson plans, teaching lessons, and grading student work. This field of work may be relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including students and parents.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and edit technical documentation, such as user manuals, software documentation, and training materials. This work includes gathering information, writing and editing text, and creating visuals. This field of work is somewhat relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including technical users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Web Content Manager

Web Content Managers plan and publish content on websites. This work includes writing and editing website content, managing social media accounts, and analyzing website traffic. This field of work is somewhat relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including website users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Content Manager

Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including fiction, non-fiction, and journalism. This work includes writing books, articles, and website content. This field of work is very relevant to students of Writing for Social Justice because it teaches students how to write for a variety of genres and audiences, including readers of all kinds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer