Assignment 3
Op-ed assignment
Value: 175 points (17.5% of overall grade)
Due: Monday, April 1
An op-ed, or opinion piece, is a short essay that offers a writer’s informed opinion on a timely idea, event, or issue. Opinion pieces allow individuals and organizations to reach stakeholders and potentially persuade them to change their minds or act on an important issue.
For this assignment, you will write an approximately 1,000-word opinion piece that addresses a social, political, economic, or cultural issue related to business. I encourage you to identify an
issue that interests you, affects someone you know, or influences your chosen industry.
Follow the typical structure of an op-ed: (1) Open with a hook. (2) Introduce your position. (3) In the body, provide at least three evidence-backed arguments. (4) Acknowledge and mitigate the
main counterargument. (5) End with a call-to-action or connect the ending to your beginning.
Steps in completing the assignment
1. Identify a few ideas.
? Read business publications. You’ll find the latest news by visiting their websites. Look for a topic in the news that resonates with you. Both “good news” and “bad news”
provide fodder for commentary.
? Read other business opinion pieces. You often can find these on a website by searching for opinion, op-ed or commentary. If you disagree with one that you read, write an opposing piece.
? Watch the buzz on social media. Look for debates that inspire you.
2. Narrow your focus. What’s your position? For example, let’s say you read about For
example, let’s say you read about more consumers than ever used a Buy Now, Pay Later
(BNPL) program during the 2023 holiday season, and you think these loans contribute to
too many consumers overspending. You might argue, “Why BNPL providers should be
held to the same standards as credit card companies.” Or maybe you’re a Swiftie and
think that Taylor Swift deserves more credit for her astute business acumen. You might
argue, “What entrepreneurs can learn from Taylor Swift.” (See topic reflection below.)
3. From your ideas, select a front runner and search for evidence that supports your position.
If you quickly run into problems finding evidence, then consider one of your back-up
choices. If you find evidence, begin putting the evidence into categories that could serve
as the arguments supporting your position.
4. Write at a level appropriate for your audience. Unlike past assignments, this time you’re
writing to a general business audience, specifically readers of Business Insider.
Topic reflection (worth 10 points separate from the assignment grade)
To help you avoid problems, you should upload “a topic reflection” by March 18.
Briefly describe the issue you intend to address in your opinion piece by answering two questions.
1. What is the issue? [Write it: I’m going to argue that _______.]
2. What makes your discussion of it timely?
Suggested timeline
By March 18: Upload topic reflection
March 18 — 23: Identify evidence and write first draft
March 27: Gain feedback on drafts from peers
March 27 — April 1: Revise
April 1: Upload final version
Sources and evidence
Sources and evidence could include an interview with someone affected by this issue, magazine
and newspaper articles, statistics from databases, studies, scholarly journals, analyst reports, and
reputable websites. It also could be your first-hand information.
Citing
Use journalism style to cite sources. Journalists use “said” or “according to” to identify sources.
Many also link to the citations, whenever possible. Look at this example from NPR:
“Inflation is much too high, and we understand the
hardship it is causing,” Fed chairman Jerome Powell said.
“And we’re moving expeditiously to bring it back down.”
Powell said he and his colleagues would actively consider
two additional half-point rate increases at their next two
meetings in June and July, continuing a campaign that has
high stakes for the U.S. economy.
Consumer prices in March were 6.6% higher than a year ago,
according to the Fed’s preferred inflation yardstick.
Include a bibliography at the end that lists the sources following APA style. This list does not count
toward your word “limit.”
Resources (also posted on Blackboard)
Op-ed tips (not for a business class, but its basic approach applies)
Op-ed Writing: Tips and Tricks (focus on the “structure” section)
Tips for Aspiring Op-Ed Writers (focus on the most applicable ones)
Tips
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Support argument with at least three main arguments/points.
Avoid listing a series of aggressive questions that you never answer.
Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Stay within +/-25% of the word limit.
Title: The Great Decentralization: How Remote Work is Reshaping Silicon Valley and
Urban Economies
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? Introduction
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Briefly introduce the concept of remote work and its adoption acceleration
during the pandemic.
? •
Mention the significance of Silicon Valley as a tech hub and how it’s being
transformed by the shift towards remote work.
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Thesis statement: While remote work offers numerous benefits, it
presents substantial challenges for Silicon Valley, impacting real estate, local
economies, and city tax revenues, thereby reshaping urban economic
landscapes.
? Section 1: The New Ghost Towns – The Real Estate Reckoning
? •
Detail how the exodus of workers from office spaces has led to a surplus
of commercial real estate in Silicon Valley, causing a significant decline in
property values and rental rates.
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Discuss the ripple effects on residential real estate, with anecdotes of
once-bustling neighborhoods now facing vacancies and declining home values.
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Include data and trends on real estate market shifts pre and postpandemic.
? Section 2: The Local Economy in Limbo
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Examine the impact on local businesses that thrived on the daily influx of
tech workers, including cafes, restaurants, and retail stores, now struggling or
closing down.
? •
Discuss broader economic implications, such as reduced foot traffic
affecting city vibrancy and community engagement.
? •
Highlight personal stories from business owners and employees to add
an emotional touch.
? Section 3: Starved Cities – The Tax Revenue Dilemma
? •
Analyze how the decrease in office space usage and local business
patronage has led to a significant drop in city tax revenues.
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Discuss the implications for public services and infrastructure, potentially
leading to a vicious cycle of cuts and further decline in urban livability.
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Offer insights into potential long-term effects on educational systems,
public transportation, and social services.
? Section 4: The Cultural Shift – Redefining Work and Community
? •
Explore how the shift to remote work is changing the social fabric of
Silicon Valley, including decreased networking opportunities and community
engagement among tech workers.
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Discuss the broader cultural implications of this shift on innovation,
creativity, and the serendipity associated with in-person interactions.
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Include perspectives from tech workers who have moved out of Silicon
Valley, weighing the personal benefits against the loss of community and
collaboration.
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Counterarguments and Considerations
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Acknowledge the benefits of remote work, including increased flexibility,
potential for greater work-life balance, and opportunities for people outside
traditional tech hubs.
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Discuss how some companies and local governments are innovating to
adapt to these changes, including reimagining office spaces and investing in
local businesses.
Conclusion
? •
Reiterate the significant impacts of remote work on Silicon Valley and
urban economies, emphasizing the need for strategic responses from
businesses, local governments, and communities.
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Call to action: Encourage stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable
solutions that address the economic and cultural challenges while leveraging the
opportunities presented by remote work.
? •
End with a reflective note on the future of work and community in the
post-pandemic world, underscoring the importance of resilience and adaptability.
Additional Elements to Consider
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Incorporate infographics or charts to visualize data trends.
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Use quotes from interviews with local business owners, real estate
experts, and tech workers to provide diverse perspectives.
? •
Highlight innovative solutions or initiatives already underway to address
these challenges.
This outline aims to provide a comprehensive view of the shifts in Silicon Valley and
beyond, with a balance of emotional narratives, factual data, and analysis of broader
economic and cultural implications. Tailoring this outline with specific data, trends, and
stories will make your essay both informative and compelling.
Questions to Ask Yourself?
1. Does all your info support your position?
2. Does my beginning (first few sentences) grab the reader’s attention
3. Does everything help to prove a point?
ChatGPT Said: The outline you have is structured to support a multifaceted position on the
complex impacts of remote work on Silicon Valley and urban economies, offering a blend of
emotional narratives, statistical data, and broader socio-economic analyses. To ensure the
beginning paragraph grabs the reader’s attention, consider incorporating a few key elements:
Immediate Hook: Start with a striking fact, question, or statement that highlights
the drastic change or a surprising consequence of remote work. For example, you could begin
with a vivid image of empty offices in once-bustling tech hubs or a startling statistic about the
decrease in downtown foot traffic.
Relevance and Urgency: Quickly establish why this issue matters now. Mention
how the pandemic accelerated a trend that was already underway, underscoring the urgency of
addressing its consequences.
Human Element: Introduce an emotional angle early on. A brief anecdote about a
local business owner who had to close shop or a family having to move out of Silicon Valley
because of changing economic conditions can humanize the issue and make it relatable.
Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position on the matter, outlining the three
main negative impacts you will explore. This sets expectations and provides a roadmap for the
reader.
For instance, your opening paragraph might look something like this:
“In the heart of Silicon Valley, where innovation’s pulse once beat the strongest, a startling quiet
has taken hold. The pandemic accelerated a shift to remote work, transforming bustling tech
campuses into near ghost towns and leaving local businesses gasping for air. This seismic shift,
while heralding a new era of work-life balance for some, has cast a long shadow over urban
economies, eroding the fabric of communities once vibrant with the synergy of bright minds and
ambitious dreams. This essay delves into the profound economic and cultural upheavals
reshaping Silicon Valley, exploring the cascading effects on real estate, local businesses, and
city tax revenues. Through the lens of those most affected, we confront a pressing question: at
what cost does the flexibility of remote work come?”
This approach aims to engage readers by painting a vivid picture of the situation, emphasizing
its immediate relevance, and hinting at the depth of analysis to follow. It sets the stage for a
compelling exploration of the unintended consequences of a major societal shift, priming the
reader for a thoughtful and nuanced discussion.