PART 1: Article Selection (50 points)
undefined
This assignment is geared to have you engage with current issues that are interlinked with the content of our course. You are going to be asked to choose a news article, analyze its contents, and write a short letter to your government representative about the issue you read about.
undefined
1. Your newspaper article must be:
undefined
- Relevant to our course content,
- Of professional or personal interest to YOU (career goals, etc.), and
- From the past MONTH.
undefined
*I HIGHLY encourage you to choose a topic that is at the intersection of the COVID 19 pandemic and social/environmental issues.*
undefined
2. Submit a copy of the article – You are welcome to scan in articles, or provide an electronic version.
undefined
3. ONE paragraph explaining how its relevant to the course and is of personal and/or professional interest to you.
undefined
PART 2: News Analysis (100 points)
undefined
Complete the following in the exact order. Clearly number each question and make your paper look exactly as the following list. Your answers must be brief, direct, clearly understandable, and to the point. Do not write prose paragraphs for questions #1-4. These questions merely allow you to clearly identify the information in your chosen article—save your analysis for question #5.
undefined
1) Provide a complete citation. Be sure to include author, title, year, volume (for magazines), number (if any), and page number(s). See APA Style Guide for News Article HERE (Links to an external site.).
undefined
Example: Wall, David. EPA and Public Differ over Major Risks, Wall Street Journal. September 19, 2017.
undefined
2) Complete this sentence regarding the author’s hypothesis or major point:
undefined
The major point (or hypothesis) of the article is….
undefined
Example: Global climate change is causing increases in insects that destroy trees.
undefined
3) List THREE key points that support the author’s hypothesis or major point (look for theses in the article’s topic sentences). If there is not three key points, choose another article. The three major points of this article are:
undefined
Enter the first major point here
undefined
Enter the second major point here
undefined
Enter the third major point here
undefined
4) Explain why you chose this article. It MUST be related to a personal or professional interest or your major. (Just a sentence or two will do nicely.)
undefined
“I chose this article because……”
undefined
5) Critique your article and explain your point of view (one page) Present your critique/analysis in a logical, well-organized and well-written manner.
undefined
Your analysis must:
undefined
Part A: Evaluate the quality of information used.
undefined
Answer at least three of the following questions:
undefined
- Are there enough facts? Interviews? Representations? Does the story need to show “both sides?”
- Was the article well researched and unbiased, or incomplete and misleading?
- Does the article lack some piece of information or knowledge that is relevant to the issue or problem?
- Is the author’s information contrary to facts as you know them? How?
undefined
Part B: Identify how ethnic, cultural, gender/sexual, age-based, class, regional, national, transnational, and global identities may impact the issue in your article.
undefined
Answer at least three of the following questions:
undefined
- Are there stereotypes and/or clichés in the article?
- Where is there bias, ethnocentricity, and/or propaganda?
- Do the issues impact some demographics more than others?
- Are vulnerable populations considered in the article’s argument(s)?
undefined
Part C: YOUR opinion on the subject based on your analysis of the news article.
undefined
Answer at least three of the following questions:
undefined
- What are the conclusions or inferences you have drawn by determining validity and soundness of the article’s argument?
- What do you think needs to be done about the issue at hand?
- How can this issue be researched better?
- How can there be policy action on the issue? How about individual action?
- What more would you like to know about this issue?
undefined
PART 3: Write Letter to an Elected Official (100 points)
undefined
Write a letter an appropriate government official expressing your opinion about the article. This can be in an e-mail. This may include a politician or agency representative.
undefined
1. Introduce your issue, why it is important to you.
undefined
2. Provide a reasoned opinion (explain your reasoning) and/or request something (for them to take action, respond to your opinion, for them to provide an opinion). The goal is to get your opinion responded to. Do not courtesy copy (cc) me with your letter or say it was a “classroom project.” *Use information and stats to support your opinion and provide appropriate references to support your opinions. Use at least ONE piece of evidence.
undefined
3. Request an opinion from them, such as their position on the environmental issue discussed in your article.
undefined
4. Request an action on the basis of the article and your knowledge of the issue. Be sure to send these officials a copy of the article (include in your letter “copy attached.”)
undefined
0 comments