The first step in this assignment is to peruse several news outlets for a news story that interests you. For 3 days, some time EACH DAY tracking this interesting news story. Please track only one news event or story that appears in three different news outlets. Be sure the story is a hard news story – not entertainment or sports news. Because you need practice evaluating several different kinds of sources, please make sure you find a source that fits each of the categories below.
Types of Sources To Track
1. The first type of source is a print newspaper – this will require you to look at a printed paper each day for four days. The Sinclair library has several newspapers in print that you can read in the library. While this can seem time consuming, it is a valuable part of the assignment and helps you see how stories are organized and news is prioritized when printed on paper vs. online.
2. The second type of source is a popular local news source (tv broadcast, printed source, or another type of media).
3. The third source is an online news source.
4. The third type of source needs to be opinion-based. An opinion-based source or opinion-piece or editorial from a website like The Huffington Post or On the Media (NPR) will provide one or more strong views on a single issue. These sources present arguments for or against an issue. If you cannot find an editorial each day, then you can compare editorial websites for this category.
Once you’ve found your 4 sources, keep track of how they report on the story each day for four consecutive days by filling in the tracking chart. If there is no coverage of your story on one day, then note it. I should be able to find your sources easily. Please fill out the appropriate column/row for each day.
The second step for this assignment is to write a news source evaluation essay.
remember that you were to do a tracking chart. It is (( For the next 4 days you will spend some time tracking a news story that interests you. Please track only one news event or story that appears in four different news outlets. Be sure the story is a hard news story – not entertainment or sports news. Because you need practice evaluating several different kinds of sources, please make sure you find a source that fits each of the categories below.
One newspaper in actual print – this will require you to read a printed paper each day for four days. The Sinclair library has several newspapers in print that you can read in the library. Public libraries also have print sources.
One local news source (tv broadcast, printed source, or another type of media).
One national newspaper from an online database (from the SCC library website).
One opinion piece or editorial from a website like The Huffington Post or On the Media (NPR). If you cannot find an editorial each day, then you can compare editorial websites for this category.
Once you’ve found your sources, keep track of how they report on the story each day for 4 consecutive days by filling in the tracking chart that you can download using the link below. If there is no coverage of your story on one day, then note it. I will be checking your sources and your evaluation of the sources, so choose sources that I can find easily. Each chart is designed for you to track specific sources. For instance, the website source chart asks specific questions to help you evaluate websites. Please fill out the appropriate column/row for each day. Next, read the instructions for writing the evaluative source study assignment in which you will use the information you record in the charts!)). Fill in the chart. Take the newspapers you have an follow them for 3 days. Then review the coverage and evaluate the coverage using the CRAAP criteria, also found uploaded
