This course explores what ingredients go into the best opinion writing and what mix of hard facts and individual conviction most effectively sells a point of view, whether the focus is political or personal, whether it advocates a specific policy or articulates a broader philosophy. Extensive reading of newspaper columns and magazine essays past and present, conversations with current practitioners, and students’ production of their own op-eds/opinion essays will help students develop the skills needed for effective opinion writing. The course also emphasizes general, cross-genre principles of nonfiction writing and journalism.