PHYSICS +

THE OP-ED

A FORMULA OFFERED BY GAIL COLLINS,

PROMINENT NYT COLUMNIST

1. NAME THE SUBJECT

Last night Congress passed a big bill on the

environment.

2. DEFINE THE CONTROVERSY.

The bill would allow oil drilling in the Arctic national

wildlife refuge, which we feel is a bad idea.

3. GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR

OPINION.

The refuge is important for protecting caribou herds, and

there are better places to drill for oil that are less

environmentally sensitive.

4. ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT THE

OTHER SIDE SAYS.

Supporters say the oil is needed so the United States can

be more energy independent.

5. RESPOND TO THAT

ARGUMENT.

But if the energy situation is so critical that this tiny bit of oil

is necessary, we could make up the difference by requiring

cars to be more fuel efficient.

6. TELL THE READER WHAT CAN

BE DONE TO THWART THIS BAD

DEVELOPMENT.

We hope when the bill gets to the Senate, the Senators

will eliminate drilling on the the wildlife refuge.

• Name the subject.

• Define the controversy.

• Give reasons for your opinion.

• Acknowledge what the other side

says.

• Respond to that argument.

• Tell the reader what can be done to

thwart this bad development.