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Opinion Story

Call it the $9.1 million shot. kind of heard around the world.

Uber and Lyft’s political arm, Ridesharing Works for Austin, said its spending in the recent Proposition 1 election. It was more than seven times the previous record of $1.2 million for an Austin election campaign and was necessary to counter confusing ballot language about the rules for ride-hailing companies.

But the amount was so unprecedented that longtime politicos and observers suspected there was a second rationale at work: The companies wanted to send a message to other cities that might try their hand at regulating the ride-hailing industry.

“They had a pool of money to spend on this as an urban election that was in proportion to what their bottom line was,” said Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas. “The larger game of this election was state, national and even international regulation and what the precedent meant.”

However, in the week since Austin voters decisively rejected Prop 1, it appears that news of the ride-hailing giants’ massive spending and subsequent defeat landed with a thud instead of a bang. In cities such as Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles, the fight over fingerprinting for ride-hailing drivers for criminal background checks is being driven by local political forces, though some note was taken of the Austin outcome.

SOM

Who - AMA (American Motorcycle Association) 
What - Announcing 450 National Champion
Where - Press Conference after the last race of season
When - February 3, 2016 // Saturday Afternoon
Why - Champion to be crowned
How - announcing it

 Today, February 3, 2016; the AMA National Champion is to be crowned. 

"Through hard work on and off the track, full dedication and the itch to be successful; 42 riders lined up at the first round all with the same goal," said AMA's correspondent Jeff Langham.  

Weeks later, the final round has just ended and a champion has been crowned. 

Accomplishing this task took many years of hard work, luck and success in racing. 

From growing up in a family dedicated to racing amateur nationals, to getting your pro card and racing AMA sanctioned events nationally; motocross is a community & there are very few riders to accomplish a title in any form. 

'I would like to welcome the 2014 450 national champion, Ryan Villopoto!' said Jeff Langham. 

'Thank you very much. I'm so blessed to be here right now on top of the podium. I'd like to give all the glory to the Man up above my wife, Melissa and my team. Without any of them I couldn't have accomplished this goal. I'd like to give a big shoutout to my mechanic, Torque; he's stuck by my side through everything this year. Also, all my sponsors; they supplied me with all the best parts and service in the industry,' said Ryan 

'Wow, I've definitely enjoyed watching you race this year and take on all the competition. The field this year was stacked; the championship was in the grasp of at least 5 different riders and you persevered; I know you're busy and thank you for your time. Enjoy your newly won title and have a big round of applause for our newly crowned national champion; Ryan Villopoto,' said Jeff.

'Thank you, I'm going to head back to the trailer to spend time with my wife and team,' said Ryan.

Opinion Writing Preview Activity

1. Who wrote the story? Granger Coats

2. What is their story about? Drug dog searches make students feel violated

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. There topic is rights we have as an american, "The American flag stands gallantly above the reverted noble school."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? Yes

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. No, I felt like they did a good job.

6. Are there any quotes in the story? No

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd

1. Who wrote the story? Alicia Molina

2. What is their story about? How things can spread on social media

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. No it was a general and is how many people think about it.

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? No

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. No it was very eel stated 

6. Are there any quotes in the story? Yes

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd

1. Who wrote the story? Fuaad Ajaz

2. What is their story about? How music can send a huge message around the world and expressing what you think. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. "some people were offended by the halftime performance"

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? some people may be angry.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion.

6. Are there any quotes in the story? yes

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd

1. Who wrote the story? Mia Barbosa

2. What is their story about? Will the ap history test help you get into a good collage              

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. " I think its a good way for kids to get ahead in collage."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? No

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. No it was very clear to me.

6. Are there any quotes in the story? No

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd

1. Who wrote the story? Eliana Lynch

2. What is their story about? Apple not letting the fbi get int there phones and evading users privacy

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. "Apple will give their codes to the FBI when ever they would like."

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? Yes

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. No it was a very good strait forward topic.

6. Are there any quotes in the story? Yes

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd

Finally, answer the following questions:

A. What do you think the major differences between a hard news story and an opinions piece? Come up with at least three. The harder it is the longer it takes to write, 

B. Why do you think there aren't very many photos on this page? because its about weed and I don't think you can draw or put pictures of it on a school newspaper.

C. What are three topics you think would be good to write an opinions piece on? 

Bmx, Motocross, Mountain Biking 

SNO Online Papers - Opinion Writing Pt. 2

Vandegrift Voice:
1. Who wrote the story? 
Johnny Morreale & Jasmine Moreno

2. What is their story about?

A Sophomore athlete at Vandegrift, Kendal Shields, attending olympic trials for swimming. 

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. Everyone has dreams and desires, hoping to grow up and become something incredible in life. Having this desire to pursue these dreams offers hope of another opening to come. Each and every step is a step to helping others dream to come true or at least to work just as hard to make that dream happen.

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? Though she admits the training is a grueling process itself, Shields believes it gets results.

“It is brutal sometimes,” Shields said. “But it pays off.”
5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. Their opinion was valid in that they chose to stick with the side in supporting Kendall and swimming, the only time they brought up opposition was the hardwork, effort she was having to put in to be such a successful swimmer. 
6. Are there any quotes in the story? Yes, they interviewed Kendall and her mother for the newspaper. 
7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd person

JBHS Lonestar Dispatch: 

1. Who wrote the story?

Granger Coats

2. What is their story about?

Jasmine Correa; JBHS Senior//pageant show contestant making a name for herself.

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. “I started pageants about 3 years ago and the first one I did was just for fun with my friend. I placed 2nd runner up and I liked the rush of adrenaline you get from being on stage,” Correa said. 

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? “It’s undeniable that she loves what she does. I admire the fact that she stays focused on school and that’s her priority. I think she manages both perfect considering how demanding they are,” Castillo said.

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they ever go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. In this interview, they focused mainly on Jasmine's modeling and the 2 other opinions shared had to do with her keeping her grades up at the same time she travels around modeling. 

6. Are there any quotes in the story? “I stay very organized and on top of all of my work to make sure that wherever I’m going for modeling, I’ll get my work that I’ll be missing so I don’t get behind,” Correa said.

1. Who wrote the story? Aro Majumder, Jack Stenglein

2. What is their story about? Westlake vs. Lake Travis Lacrosse game on Senior night

3. What is their direct opinion about that topic? Please quote it directly from the story or do a really good job of paraphrasing. Senior night promised an entertaining matchup between two of the top lacrosse programs in the state. Coming into the game as the favorite, Westlake proved to be too much to handle for Lake Travis in a touted D1 lacrosse rivalry game on April 20. Westlake set the tone for the game right off the bat and didn’t look back, winning the game 13-8. 

4. Did they address what the other side might think about their topic? The spark appeared to come in the form of a streaking run from center field into the Westlake third by Lake Travis junior Cade Green that ended in a goal. Unfortunately for Lake Travis, its team wasn’t able to harness the momentum and saw the game slowly slip from its hands. Westlake’s continuous pressure was too much to handle, and the Lake Travis defense bent until finally breaking for five more goals, making the final score 13-8. 

5. Were they wishy-washy with their opinion? By this I mean did they every go back and say well maybe if this were to happen, then their opinion wouldn't be valid. Support your opinion. They did a great job appealing to both sides during the lacrosse game, however; Westlake did end up winning.

6. Are there any quotes in the story? “We just kept reinforcing the fundamentals that we’re working on,” head coach Chris Delfausse said. “Throughout 48 minutes, you’re always going to have ups and downs, so [whenever we’re struggling], we just go back to what was working and back to the basics and try to get refocused on what we’re trying to accomplish.”

7. What point of view did they write in (1st, 2nd or 3rd)? 3rd person