You will be writing a commentary (Links to an external site.) based on a current topical issue, supported from a variety of legitimate periodical, Internet and/or other newspaper and media sources. In short, you are writing a research opinion. To begin, you must find a newspaper article of interest (this will be your primary source), then do additional research on at least two articles/sources related to the topic (these will be your secondary sources). If your primary source is an exclusive (Links to an external site.) (that is, it is the only report published), then you might need to consider a related theme/topic that corresponds to additional secondary sources. If you cannot figure out a related theme/topic from your article, then you may have to choose a different primary source. 

     The primary source must come from a legitimate news source (Links to an external site.) and must be objective (Links to an external site.). It also must deal with a current topic that provokes a persuasive opinion (Links to an external site.). Finally, it has to be recently published at least a month old, in this case, a primary source published on or later than March 25, 2022.

     The additional secondary sources can be of any publication date (that is, published at any time) and should provide pertinent information, facts, data or statistics, and quotes from authoritative figures. Make sure you have at least one commentary (Links to an external site.) article, presenting an opinion about the topic, not necessarily similar to your own. You may also use email/letters to an editor (Links to an external site.), op-ed pieces (Links to an external site.), blogs (Links to an external site.), vlogs (Links to an external site.) (though these are more difficult to cite (Links to an external site.)), and Internet sites as sources, but be aware that they might not be as reliable as a news report (Links to an external site.). 

     Once you gather your primary and secondary sources, you are ready to begin your commentary:

• First, your introduction must begin with opening statements to lure in your reader, followed by a summary of the situation or event described in your primary source. Make sure to provide the essential information, such as who were involved, what had happened, when did it happen, and where did it happen? 
• Then, at the end of your introduction, for your thesis and a plan of development, write your own opinion about the situation that occurred. NOTE THAT YOU ARE NOT WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER ON THE TOPIC BUT A COMMENTARY ON THE SITUATION. 
• In other words, if your primary source is about, say, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, (Links to an external site.) your thesis is not simply on the invasion itself. Rather, it is about your opinion about the reasons why it has been happened and whether should it have or should it have not happened. Focus solely on the event that the primary article is about, and make sure your primary source is NOT a commentary about the event. [Commentaries can be used as secondary sources.]
• In each body paragraph, start with a topic sentence focusing on your thesis. Follow that by using both your primary source and secondary sources as your support and explain how each support relates to your thesis. Be sure to quote and cite from your sources.
• Your conclusion must start with a one-sentence restatement of your thesis, followed by final words that will leave an impression on your reader.

     This paper must be at least 1,000 words and must follow the MLA format (in-text citations and Works Cited Page). It must also be double-spaced and must have a title page.