French Revolution Editorial Assignment

French Revolution and Napoleonic Era:


Editorial Assignment

Newspapers and other forms of media often include editorial pieces and letters to the editor. Editorials are articles or speeches written and/or delivered by people hired to give their opinions on issues. Sometimes people write letters to the editor or post to blogs in response to issues. The purpose of all of these pieces is to comment on a situation or give praise or criticism.

Assignment: Consider an aspect of the French Revolution and Napoleonic era outlet (magazine, newspaper, television program) and give an editorial. Alternatively, you could act as a representative of the public – past or present – and write a “letter to the editor” of a media outlet.

Examples of topics:

- Is social stratification (having different classes of people in society) necessary? Explain
- Were the results of the French Revolution worth all of the sacrifice? (explain the results, the sacrifice and why it was or was not worth it)
- Was Napoleon a great leader of France or a self-centered and power hungry dictator?
- King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette – villains or victims?
- Evaluate the conditions for the Third Estate
- What kind of government is best – such as for nations with currently unstable governments.
- Why did the revolution happen and/or what could have stopped it
- Was Louis XVI guilty of treason? Defend your choice.
- Other topics related to the French Revolution and/or Napoleonic Era



/10 expression of opinions
/10 stating supporting facts
/5 convincing argument
/5 grammar/spelling/mechanics
/30 total