Current Events Project

Introduction of Assignment: 

     In this class you are required to complete a current events project approximately once a month. This activity is designed to encourage you to read newspapers, watch network and local news reports, and read national news periodicals like Newsweek, Time, and US News and World Reports, or check News Services like “http:\\www.cnn.com” on the Internet.  Additional websites are listed on my school website. This increases critical thinking skills and helps prepare you to become a better citizen by being more aware about what is happening in the world. Students are always encouraged to express their own opinions with support and a supporting argument.   

Selection of News Articles:

Make sure you choose news article that are relevant and vary in types of information.  A good rule of thumb is to choose articles that impact or affect a large number of people.  Do not choose articles that deal with entertainment, sports, fashion or gossip.

Documentation of Article:

You must attach one of the following to your written report:

• An article or a copy of news article from a periodical (newspaper, magazine, etc.) write the name of periodical and date of its publication.

  A printed copy of text from the WWW that includes the URL, and date.

A statement that identifies the source that will include: (for television of radio reports)

media source (TV, Radio, etc.)

station call letters and frequency (eg. KFBK 1530 or KCRA channel 3)

Name of News program (eg. The 6 o’clock News)

Date and time of broadcast

Name of the reporter (from their sign off ... all reporters will always give their name when they report so listen closely!)

Parts of the Project:

The student must write a total of 3 paragraphs.

The first two paragraphs should be a written or typed summary of the read article.  The summary MUST be in the students own words.  A quote should be included directly from the article.

The third paragraph should be an opinion about the article, Take a stand and say what you really think about the article. You may say whatever you believe here, but make sure that you support your opinion with a good supporting argument with facts from the current event. Make sure that you spend some time on this section as it a major portion of the assignment’s grade.  The third paragraph should also include a conclusion.

Students must design a cover-sheet to include their name, date and period.  The cover must also include a drawn or designed picture about their article.  Designed pictures can be done using any computer drawing software that may be available.

Final Thoughts:

The current event project is due the last friday of each month, unless otherwise instructed.  (Final Project Date Will Be Listed Under Homework Website)

10 points will be subtracted for each late day.  After 5 consecutive days, assignment will not be accepted.

Follow the attached rubric to achieve the maximum  points available.

Current Event’s Grade Sheet

Summary of Article (24pts max)

Information from news article is put into student’s own words.  A “quote” is incorporated from the article and is clearly restated or used to further the summary and is clear to the reader to understand (24pts)

Information from news article is put into student’s own words and is clearly restated.  No quote is included. (-8pts)

Information from news article is put into student’s own words as well as words from the news article. (-16 pts)

Information from news article is not restated.  Uses reporters’ words as if they were their own. (-24pts)

Source (18pts max)

Source is accurately documented in the desired format.  News article is attached or URL is listed.  News source is listed on a separate sheet of paper attached to the summary. (18pts)

Source is accurately documented in the desired format.  Article is crumpled OR separate from student’s work.  Source is not documented on a separate sheet of paper attached to the article. (-6pts)

Source is documented in an incorrect format. (-12pts)

Source is not documented at all. (-18pts)

Paragraph Construction (12pts. max)

Use of paragraphs and a variety of sentences structure is used to summarize article.  Provided 3 separate paragraphs.  Provides a separate paragraph for point of view or opinion of the topic summarized.  Includes conclusion. (12pts)

Use of paragraph and a variety of sentence structure to summarize article.  Provides a separate paragraph for point of view or opinion.  Does not include conclusion. (-4pts)

Paragraph provides a summary of the news article but not typically constructed well.  Does not include separate paragraph for opinion or point of view.  Does not include conclusion.  (-8pts)

Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related to the news article.  There is no point of view or opinion.  No conclusion. (-12pts)

Point of View/Opinion (24pts max)

Point of view or opinion reflects on relationship to the world, community and individual.  Comments are insightful and meaningful.  What is the impact of the event on the world, if any.  Was it a positive or a negative event and why.  Supporting arguments are included  (24pts)

Point of view or opinion reflects on relationship to the world, community and individual.  Comments are insightful and meaningful.  What is the impact of the event on the world, if any.  Was it a positive or negative event, and why? No supporting arguments are included. (-8 pts)

Point of view or opinion is insightful and meaningful.  DOES NOT discuss how it impacts the world.  No supporting arguments included. (-16pts)

There is no point of view or opinion expressed in detail. (-24 pts)

Mechanics (12pts max)

One to two grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (12pts)

Three to four grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (-4 pts)

Five to six grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (-8pts) 

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (-12pts)

Cover Sheet (10pts max)

Colorful and creative, name, date, and period are clearly visible. (10pts)

Colorful and creative. Name date, and/or period are missing (-3 pts)

Limited color and creativity. Name, date and/or period are missing. (-6pts)

No cover sheet included (-10pts)