Still Drawing a Blank

Hey Josh,
I am still drawing a blank about what to write about. I am leaning towards talking about how media, leaders and governments manipulate public opinion at times of war to get people to support and further their cause.

Any help?

-Still Drawing a Blank

Dear SDAB,

You have actually already gotten past the blank, because you've articulated an interesting idea regarding the rules of control. Now you just have to recognize what you've accomplished, and how to develop it further. If you look at what you've written, you're asking a QI (a question of fact: 'Does it exist?") that would read something like:

"Do media, leaders, and governments manipulate public opinion during times of war?"
[Note that your / a QI is simply your / a CLAIM / ASSERTION phrased as a question.]

It is clear from your statement that you think 'yes,' they do.

Now look at the dependent clause in your email about your topic. Here you've already given a REASON ("to get people to support and further their cause").

To clarify this reason more, phrase your QI as an analytical question (using 5WH):

"Why do media, leaders, and governments manipulate public opinion during times of war?"

Phrase your answer using a link (shared term) from the question. Your choice of shared term will determine the trajectory of the essay. Your choices (as phrased above) are:

media, leaders, and governments
manipulation
public opinion
(times of) war

Once you have an answer, combine the CLAIM and REASON to form an Em.

This is what you will bring to class today, essay due Thursday.

-Josh G