Current events / NEWS

HELP!!! How do I analyze current events / news?

Before reading an article: When reading news stories, consider the following questions in order to get the most out of the article:

• Who is the article about, who are the "main characters"? Who was affected?
• What is the main point of the article, what is the "big idea" the author is trying to get across to the reader?
• When did the events being described take place, can you provide a time line of important happenings?
• Where are the events in article taking place, what is the "setting"?
• How can you connect the article to prior knowledge or experience? Being able to do this well will show that you truly understand the key points from above.
  • Text to Self: Why did you choose to report on this article? Why is it important to you? Be specific.
  • Text to Text: Does this article relate to anything else that you have read or saw in the past? Explain.
  • Text to World: Does this article relate to another situation that is going on in the world or community? Explain.
• Why should we be talking about this article in social studies? Your answer to this question should somehow relate to the main point.
• Lastly, develop a thought provoking question or challenge you would like discussed in class.