CURRENT EVENTS ARTICLESPORTFOLIOPROJECT

Create an articlesportfolioof news stories for the semester, collecting one story that fits in each of the below listed categories of reasons why editors publish stories (some stories may fit in more than one category, but you will need a total of 12 different articles).

For each story collected,attach a page (a separate page for each story) and do the following:

– List the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why)

– Type3additional paragraphs which include the following information:

1st paragraph:In which category does the story fit and why?

– Write your reaction to the story.

2nd paragraph:Why does this story interest you; how do you feel about the information

presented in the story and why?

3rd paragraph:What are the future implications of the information in the story?

Attach a copy of the story behind each typed page.

Include the Scoring Guide with your portfolio.

Why is it news? Each day, newspaper editors around the world must make decisions about which stories they will publish. Stories make it into newspapers for many different reasons. Look at the stories that have made the front page of a newspaper. Why did these stories make headlines?

During this semester, study the front-page stories of newspapers. Why did the editors decide to put the stories on page one? Which reason(s) in the below list of categories would explain the newsworthiness of the story?

Categories:

  • Timeliness– News that is happening right now, news of interest to readers right now.
  • Relevance – The story happened nearby or is about a concern of local interest.
  • Magnitude – The story is great in size or number – affecting a large area; for example, a tornado that destroys a couple houses might not make the news but a story about a tornado that devastates a community would be very newsworthy.
  • Unexpectedness – Something unusual, or something that occurs without warning.
  • Impact – News that will affect a large number of readers.
  • Reference to someone famous or important – News about a prominent person or personality.
  • Oddity – A unique or unusual situation.
  • Conflict – A major struggle in the news (i.e., physical fighting, rioting, terrorist activities, etc.).
  • Reference to something negative – Bad news often "sells" better than good news.
  • Continuity – A follow-up or continuation to a story that has been in the news or is familiar.
  • Emotions – Emotions (such as fear, jealousy, love, or hate) increase interest in a story.
  • Progress – News of new hope, new achievement, new improvements.

Not appropriate for this project: columns, sports scores, market reports, “digest” stories, pictures with captions and no corresponding article.

Name: ______Class Period: ______

Current Events Articles Portfolio – Scoring Guide

(Total points possible = 120 points)

ARTICLE / CATEGORY
(1 point per article) / 5 Ws –
(5 points) / Paragraph 1
(1 point) / Paragraph 2
(2 points) / Paragraph 3
(1 points) / Total points
(10 points possible per article)
Timeliness
Relevance
Magnitude
Unexpectedness
Impact
Reference to someone famous or important
Oddity
Conflict
Reference to
something negative
Continuity
Emotions
Progress
TOTAL POINTS

Name: ______Class Period: ______

Current Events Articles Portfolio – Schedule for Collection of Articles

(3 points per article = 36 points possible)

You will be responsible for submitting at least 6 articles for category approval eachweek (by Friday 2/1 and Friday 2/8) to receive the total of 36 points possible. You may submit the articles in any order.

The purpose of this collection schedule is to help you monitor your own progress in collecting articles for this project. If you do not have your articles turned in by the above due dates, you will NOT receive progress points.

ARTICLE TITLE*
/ CATEGORY / Date submitted by Student / Date approved by Teacher / Points
Received
Timeliness
Relevance
Magnitude
Unexpectedness
Impact
Reference to someone famous or important
Oddity
Conflict
Reference to something negative
Continuity
Emotions
Progress
TOTAL POINTS

* Write the title of the article in the box with the category.

Attach your articles to the back of this form when submitting for approval.