Understanding The News Natalie Aycock Assignment 4 EDUC 5131 Texas Woman’s University

Introduction  Why are current events important? News News Media Media Sports Sports Comics Comics Other personal interests Other personal interests

Contents  News in the Past  Today’s News Resources  How to Determine a Good News Source  Individual Project Outline Guidelines Guidelines Topic Ideas Topic Ideas Bringing it All Together Bringing it All Together

News Sources in the Past  Hearsay  Letters  Flyers or Newsprint  Newspapers  Radio  Magazines  Television

Are Newspapers Becoming Obsolete?  Timeliness Researching and Recording News Researching and Recording News Drafting Articles Drafting Articles Compiling Articles to Print Compiling Articles to Print Delivery Delivery  Accuracy  Cost

Today’s News Resources  What are some examples of how we obtain news today? Newspapers Newspapers Television Television Magazines Magazines Internet Internet

Internet News Sources  Why has the internet become a valuable news resource? Speed Speed Availability Availability Variety Variety Cost Cost  Is reliability of information any less of an issue with Internet sources?

Problems with Internet News Sources  Competition for speed  Sources Blogs, Discussion Boards, Wiki’s, etc. Blogs, Discussion Boards, Wiki’s, etc.  Political Alignments in News Media  Overabundance of varying sources can lead to confusion.

How Do We Determine News Source Reliability?  Evaluate professionalism of a website.  Look for dates and reference lists.  Be critical of opinion comments.  Stick to well known news providers. BBC, NBC, CBS, Dallas Morning News, Fox, etc. BBC, NBC, CBS, Dallas Morning News, Fox, etc.

Project Outline  Pick a topic relating to Texas or the community in which you live.  Research recent news events on that topic, picking a specific person event to cover.  Collect information about the history relating to that person or event.  Create an article detailing the information you have researched.

Picking a Topic  Topics must be related to Texas or the local community.  Topics ideas: Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Weather, Historical Findings, Geography, Crime Rates, Immigration, Population Trends. Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Weather, Historical Findings, Geography, Crime Rates, Immigration, Population Trends. If you choose a topic outside those listed above, check with me for permission. If you choose a topic outside those listed above, check with me for permission.  Once you have selected a topic, research recent events related to that topic, select something that has occurred recently to cover, and see me so that you can reserve it.  No two students may cover the same event under a topic.

Researching Our Topic  Explore the internet for various news sources that have covered the events surrounding your choice. Good Local Sources: Good Local Sources: Dallas Morning News ( Morning News ( Star-Telegram ( ( Coppell news websites ( news websites (  Save articles you find about your source to your hard drive folder for future access.  Include one creative opinion based source. Local interviews, opinion polls, “celebrity” quotes, etc. Local interviews, opinion polls, “celebrity” quotes, etc.

Collecting the History of Our Topic  All topics chosen will have some history relating to it, whether it be past trends in sports scores, an actor or actress’ previous career, or weather catastrophes that have hit an area.  Find information about these past events and include 2 or more facts relating to your event in your article  You may depict this information within the text, through graphs, through pictorial representations, etc.

Creating Our Article  Each article must include at least 5 paragraphs relating to the Topic.  Each article must include one extra source of information. Picture, Graph, Poll Results, Quote Dialog, etc. Picture, Graph, Poll Results, Quote Dialog, etc.  Articles must contain appropriate grammar, spelling, structure, and citation.

Citing Our Article  Taking information from another source and producing it yourself without citing where you received the information is illegal. All facts and opinions you gain from other sources must be cited.  Proper form of citation: Author. (Date). Title of Article. Name of Publication. Website Link. Author. (Date). Title of Article. Name of Publication. Website Link. Eg: Archer, T. (November 16, 2009). Cowboys looking to go streaking. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from streaking.html Eg: Archer, T. (November 16, 2009). Cowboys looking to go streaking. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from streaking.html streaking.html streaking.html  Things you need to cite: Articles Articles Websites Websites Sources of all Images Sources of all Images Graphs Graphs Polls (if information is gathered from a source other than yourself) Polls (if information is gathered from a source other than yourself) Anything else you find that contributes to your article! Anything else you find that contributes to your article! When in doubt, Cite!!! When in doubt, Cite!!!

Article Presentation  Students will present the information they gathered for their articles in a 3-5 minute summary during class.  You may use the document camera to display your article to the class while discussing it.  Note cards may be used as aid during presentation.

Creating Our Newspaper Page  You will be grouped up with your peers who have similar topics to yours.  Create a newspaper page of your articles on poster board. Poster board, markers, glue, and scissors will be provided. Poster board, markers, glue, and scissors will be provided. You may bring other materials to decorate your newspaper page as desired. You may bring other materials to decorate your newspaper page as desired.  You will have one class period to design and create your newspaper page.  A homework pass will be given to each member of the group who produces the “best” page per class. Each class will vote on the other classes’ group pages. Each class will vote on the other classes’ group pages.

Other Sources of Assistance  Refer to your project packet. It contains: All information provided to you today. All information provided to you today. Further ideas for topics and subtopics. Further ideas for topics and subtopics. Examples of article layouts. Examples of article layouts. Guidance for polling and interviewing. Guidance for polling and interviewing. Space for recording your ideas and research. Space for recording your ideas and research. Internet usage policies for the school. Internet usage policies for the school. School Computer Lab Schedule School Computer Lab Schedule  School Online Lab (insert school link) Document Storage Document Storage Technical Assistance Technical Assistance  Peers If you are having trouble coming up with a topic or unsure of how to begin, consult your classmates for assistance! If you are having trouble coming up with a topic or unsure of how to begin, consult your classmates for assistance!  Your Teacher I am always available for questions, comments, review, or opinion. Do not hesitate to me, approach me during class, or schedule a meeting with me to discuss your project! I am always available for questions, comments, review, or opinion. Do not hesitate to me, approach me during class, or schedule a meeting with me to discuss your project!

What Are We Graded On?  Accuracy of Information  Contents Clarity of Topic Clarity of Topic 2 or more facts concerning the background of topic. 2 or more facts concerning the background of topic. 1 graphic/creative depiction 1 graphic/creative depiction  Spelling and Grammatical Accuracy  Proper Citation  Daily Participation

Schedule  Monday, November 16 th Introduction to project. Introduction to project. Research on topic and subtopic selections. Research on topic and subtopic selections.  Tuesday, November 17 th Topic and subtopic selection DUE at the beginning of class. Topic and subtopic selection DUE at the beginning of class. Research topics in computer lab 3. Research topics in computer lab 3.  Wednesday, November 18 th Research topics in computer lab 3. Research topics in computer lab 3. Draft interview and poll questions. Draft interview and poll questions.  Thursday, November 19 th By today, you should have a good idea of the history and events relating to your topic. By today, you should have a good idea of the history and events relating to your topic. Final Research on topics in computer lab 3, interview and polling sessions scheduled. Final Research on topics in computer lab 3, interview and polling sessions scheduled. Homework: Create rough draft of article and interview/polling information. Homework: Create rough draft of article and interview/polling information.  Friday, November 20 th Rough Draft of Topic is DUE at the beginning of class. Rough Draft of Topic is DUE at the beginning of class. Type final draft of project. Type final draft of project. Homework: Finish final draft of article. Homework: Finish final draft of article.  Monday, November 23 rd Final Draft of article is DUE at the beginning of class. Final Draft of article is DUE at the beginning of class. Presentation of articles. Presentation of articles.  Tuesday, November 24 th Students group together to create newspaper page relating to topic. Students group together to create newspaper page relating to topic. Final group poster is DUE at the end of class. Final group poster is DUE at the end of class.