Spectrum - Volume 21 Issue 13 November 19, 1998 - Opinion-editorial writing forum offered for faculty members

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Opinion-editorial writing forum offered for faculty members

Spectrum Volume 21 Issue 13 - November 19, 1998

Tired of over-simplified news reporting about faculty work loads? Interested in having your ideas on important scientific and social issues published in the nation's newspapers?
On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Faculty Senate and the Office of University Relations are sponsoring a workshop on opinion-editorial (op-ed) writing at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center.
There will be two, one-and-a-half-hour sessions on opinion writing. The first session will run from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The second session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3 p.m.
"Op-eds, as they are known in the business, are those guest-column articles you see opposite the editorial page of the daily newspaper," said David Nutter, the associate director of University Relations. "Research indicates that these columns are well-read by key opinion leaders."
The workshop will be host by Ron Singleton, a nationally known expert in university communication strategies. Singleton, vice president for advancement at Mary Washington College, has worked extensively with university faculty members across the nation on ways to improve faculty use of opinion articles as ways to educate the public about important policy issues and to explain complex social issues.
"Op-eds remain one of the most effective way to communicate with the general public," Nutter said. "The editorial pages of the nation's newspapers are hungry for thoughtful articles by articulate writers with the credentials to match. Virginia Tech's faculty members are well suited to take advantage of this unique opportunity."
The forum is free, but space is limited. Call 1-8819 to register.