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Grades level iconsGrades 9–10
Session time icon60+ Minutes
Genre information iconInformational
Video resource type iconVideos

Writing & Advocacy with Brenda Quintanilla

by 826 National
Law student Brenda Quintanilla shares how writing is a vital tool to use when advocating for your community.
About the Author

Brenda Quintanilla is a rising 3L at UC Davis School of Law (King Hall). She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California in 2019 with a BA in Political Science and Chicanx-Latinx Studies. During her time at LMU, Brenda was part of the First to Go Scholars Program, the Intercultural Facilitator Program, M.E.Ch.A., Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., Belles Service Organization, and the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University (ASLMU).

What Your Students Will Learn

You will learn how to draw a community map and use it to assess the assets and needs of your community.

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.B Common Core Standards Icon
Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.
What You Will Do

STEP 1

First, watch the video. Then, answer this question in your writing journal: “Why do you think strong writing skills are important in advocacy work? And what are the benefits to understanding the writing process as a whole?”

STEP 2 

A community map is a drawing of the streets and landmarks around you. Decide whether you’d like to focus on the community around your home or school. Then, draw a map of that area. Label the following community assets on your map: physical assets, cultural assets, and institutional assets. Use the print or digital copy of your map if you need a reference. Follow the directions on page 1 of the Writing and Advocacy—Handout to complete this step.

After you draw your map, follow the directions on page 2 to reflect on your map and to identify a need you see in your community. 

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