1. Unit 7: Research, Writing, and Reporting
Action 4 News Teams!
Unit 7: Research, Writing, and Reporting

2. Performance Standard
Collect, analyze, and evaluate information obtained from multiple sources to answer a question, propose solutions, or share findings and conclusions in the form of a live or video news broadcast (4.1)

3. Assessments Secondary research, analysis, and expository writing
Primary research, analysis, and expository writing
Synthesis of research, analysis, and persuasive writing
Oral Presentations

4. Essential Question/ Focus Questions
How does the media influence students at Skyline High School?
When does framing a question incorrectly set off a series of flawed evaluations?
If an author claims to be defenseless in a text, what authority does this give the reader?

5. How does the media influence students at Skyline High School?
Defining Media: Inclusive rather than Exclusive
Movies
Television
Video Games
Internet
Print
Music
Art
Propaganda: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause (Commercials, bill boards, online ads)

6. When does framing a question incorrectly set off a series of flawed evaluations?
Wouldn’t it be cool if we had a party like the one they had in that movie, Project X?
I would never drink like they did in that movie Project X, would you?
Have you ever watched a movie that made underage drinking look fun?
If so, which one?
Confidentiality, have you ever been influenced to drink underage by something you saw in a movie?

7. If an author claims to be defenseless in a text, what authority does this give the reader?
Pew Research Center Survey
How Do Americans Get News
Traditional: Print and Network Cable
Modern: Internet and Entertainment News
Result: Americans no longer TRUST the news. The result is a less informed, more opinionated public.
Media claims it is not their fault: Ratings Rule!
Authority: Transferred to Consumer:
YOU MUST BE AWARE!!!

8. Assignment You and your team are responsible for a News Cast.
You will Feature ONE Topic from a Chosen List.
Each group member will have individual responsibilities.
Each group will need to coordinate the News Cast for a presentation grade.
Each News Cast is defined by Minimum Requirements: 6, 3, 3 = total of 12 minutes. News casts, MAY, however be as long as 15 minutes.
Obviously, with such latitude, you have a lot of room to soar, if you so choose.

9. Action 4 News Teams Four roles: • Co-Anchor • Investigative Reporter
• On-Air Editorialist

10. Co- Anchors Will share hosting duties of news program.
Will be responsible (as a team) for writing approximately 6 minutes of COPY for news program (each anchor is responsible for delivering 3 minutes of ON AIR News).
To be turned in: MLA formatted Annotated Bibliography (6 Sources)

11. Investigative Reporter
Will make persuasive argument approximately 3 minutes of COPY, ON AIR, during news program.
Will be responsible for writing approximately 3 minutes of COPY for news program.
To be turned in: Hard-copy of Survey and Chart View of Responses.

12. On-Air Editorialist
Will report approximately 3 minutes of COPY, ON AIR, during news program, including a VISUAL PROMPT of the media you will be analyzing .
Will be responsible for writing approximately 3 minutes of COPY for news program.
To be turned in: MLA Formatted Annotated Bibliography (3 Sources)

13. The Topics Politics Fashion Sex Violence Drugs Alcohol Food Education
How does the media influence students at Skyline High School? Topics:
Politics Fashion
Sex Violence
Drugs Alcohol
Food Education

14. I MUST HEAR FROM EACH ROLE:
BOTH Live/Video Presentations and Reporting must address two questions:
1) WHAT does your topic look when it is portrayed in the media?
2) HOW does the media influence the thinking/behavior of high school students?

15. Presentations begin on May 2
We will begin with a “Roll Call.” Each team will have to announce, “Ready” or “Not ready.” IF you are not ready, you will lose ONE LETTER GRADE for each day you are not ready.
Ready means:
1) Roles and transitions between roles are easy to spot and seamless.
2) ALL visual MEDIA PROMPTS are planned out well in advance (slides, videos, posters, songs, etc.).
3) IF your presentation requires logging-in or using a DVD, make-sure you are able to do that and access your MEDIA PROMPTS with minimal interruption. For Example, STREAMING of video content will work, but accessing it may require, for example, help from me to press play, so it should be lined up and ready to go.

16. Presentations / Other Considerations
Computer Days will be the rest of the days in April except next Monday. You can expect about half the period on those days.
Your Annotated Bibliography OR Survey/Charts are due to me on May 2.
Your unit final on the book will be on Monday, next week.