Amanda FinchFebruary 11, 2009

“A Word to My Successor”Margaret Spellings In The Washington Post: vol. 26, no. 14. January 19-25, 2009

Letter from former Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, to the newly appointed Secretary, Arne Duncan

Arne Duncan was formerly the chief executive officer of Chicago Public schools Spellings encourages Duncan to continue the reform in the school systems Tells Duncan to not allow No Child Left Behind Act to be dismantled Informs Duncan that she believes he is the man for the job and can bring his tenacity and

toughness from Chicago to Washington Reminds him that “the needs of the children must come first.”

Argument Technique: The op-ed is written in the form of a letter to make the article more personal even though it appears in the Washington Post. With the letter format, Spellings is acting as though she is writing and giving advice to an old friend. This is a very effective argument technique because it appeals to people and wins them over without bullying.

“Dear Arne Duncan, Congratulations! I am so pleased that President-elect Barack Obama has asked you, a fellow reformer, to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Education.” “You will need allies in the fight.”“I urge you to build on the progress we’ve made in higher education.”

Tone: Encouraging, Supporting, Persuading, and Friendly-Spellings is encouraging and supporting Duncan in his new position; tells him that she believes he is the man for the job-Spellings is also persuading Duncan to continue the efforts she began and she reminds him of certain areas he should pay particular attention to -Spellings acts as though Duncan is an old friend—“Many in Washington will judge you on your popularity with adults. If some adults are made uncomfortable by your policies, so be it. The needs of children must come first.”

Dear Abbey Finch,

Congratulations! I am so ecstatic that you will be a freshman at Roncalli High School in

two years—just as I graduate and enter college. Your nine previous years at St. Jude have you

prepared you well for four years at Roncalli and your knowledge about God and education will

continue to be supplemented.

These will be important years for you at Roncalli; filled with happiness, sorrow, laughter

and tears. At St. Jude, I am sure the time could not have moved slower, but at Roncalli the time

flies by and it will be over before you realize. I feel like I’m still a freshman here. Love every one

of the 720 days you will spend in the humble dwelling you will now call your home. Between the

actual 7:30-3:00 school day, practices, meetings, and activities, you will spend more time here

than at your house.

Remember, you have a legend to uphold-the Finch name. Ashley and Connor will help

you along the way, but remember to do something different that people will remember you by.

Involve yourself in every activity possible and immerse yourself in the “Roncalli cult.” Dominate

the volleyball court and keep passion and heart in the game. Be an upstanding student and role

model to those who are younger; they look up to you beyond your belief.

You will need friends on this journey. The ones you enter high school with will not

always be the ones you leave with. Don’t be afraid to meet new people and roam outside your

clique. Often the best friends are people you would never imagine. Form strong relationships

and support your friends at all times because one day you will need them-I promise.

Is there anywhere else like Roncalli? No. Do not be afraid to love it with all your heart.

When everyone in the “family room” puts their arms around one another, sways left to right,

and belts out Lean on Me¸ do not be afraid to join in. On Spirit Days, dress up in the wildest

costumes even if no one else is. When Mr. Weisenbach claps you on the back or jerks your arm

out of the socket, smile and greet him. Take advantage of the fact that your mom and dad make

sacrifices to send you to this place.

I am confident that your years at Roncalli will be just as fulfilling as mine have been.

People will judge you no matter what you do, but that’s the way high school is. Hold your head

high and believe in everything you do. Believe in Roncalli.