Reading the Newspaper Assignment: Choose 1 newspaper article to summarize and share with the class. After you have summarized an article, you will present the facts to the class and lead a short discussion about your article’s main idea. Have at least 3 questions prepared to ask the class to engage them in your discussion. Be sure to choose an article that will be engaging for the class to talk about! Presentations should be approximately 4-­ 7 minutes in length. Overall Expectations: a) MEDIA  Understanding Media Texts: • Interpret media texts b) READING  Reading for Meaning: • Demonstrate understanding of newspaper article by summarizing important ideas c) ORAL COMMUNICATION  Speaking to Communicate: • Communicate in a clear, coherent manner • Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate speaking behaviours • Use appropriate vocal skills and strategies: appropriate pace and volume Types of Articles to choose from: • Local/National/International News • Business/Economy • Politics • Sports • Technology • Arts, culture, literature • Society/People The article you choose must be recent news and from a reputable source. Examples of newspapers to choose from: Canadian Examples: Guelph Mercury – http://www.guelphmercury.com/ CBC – http://www.cbc.ca/news/ The Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/ The Toronto Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/ The Kitchener Record: http://www.therecord.com/ American Examples: Time – http://www.timeforkids.com/ The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/ Part 2: Reflection Why is it news? Newspaper editors make decisions everyday about which stories will make it into the newspaper. Stories make it into the news for many different reasons. The following are some of the reasons stories make it into the news: • Timeliness – News that is happening right now. • Relevance – The story happened nearby or is about a concern of local interest. • Magnitude – The story is great in size or number. • Unexpectedness – Something unusual, or something occurring without warning. • Impact – News that will affect a large number of readers. • Reference to someone famous or important – News about a prominent person. • Oddity – A unique or unusual situation. • Conflict – A major struggle in the news. • Reference to something negative – bad news often ‘sells’ better than good news. • Emotions – Emotions (i.e., fear, jealousy, love, hate) increase interest in a story. • Progress – news of new hope, new achievement, new improvements. • Continuity – A continuation to a story that has been in the news. In a paragraph please reflect on the following: • Why is your article news? o Please reference above list and explain. • Why did you choose your article? • Why were you drawn to it? • Why was it important or interesting to you? Proposal: 1. Title: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Author: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Newspaper: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Topic: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Be sure to include the article with your proposal. Proposals are due 1 week before your presentation date. Proposal: 1. Title: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Author: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Newspaper: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Topic: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Be sure to include the article with your proposal. Proposals are due 1 week before your presentation date. Proposal: 1. Title: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Author: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Newspaper: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Topic: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Be sure to include the article with your proposal. Proposals are due 1 week before your presentation date.