Current Events Assignment Rubric
Criteria / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1Format / The student follows the Current Events guidelines and correctly cites the news source using MLA format. / The student follows the guidelines and includes a MLA citation, but does not meet the paragraph length requirements. / The student meets the paragraph length requirement by including erroneous, irrelevant or repetitive sentences OR the student includes a citation, but it is not MLA. / The student does not follow the Current Event guidelines. Several requirements are missing OR the article contains no citation or reference to news source.
Summary / It is clear that the student has properly summarized and paraphrased the news article by entirely using his/her own words. / The student has summarized the article, but included too many direct quotations from the article instead of paraphrasing them. / The student shows an attempt to summarize the article, but has not entirely paraphrased. Vocabulary words or some sentences from the article are copied from what he/she read. / The student demonstrates a lack of understanding of the article. Too much of the wording has been copied directly from what was read.
Impact / Impact on local community or world is clear and includes possible consequences and solutions. Impact on other areas discussed with valid conclusions. / Impact on local community/world is mentioned but may be lacking some details. / Impact on community/world is limited or vague. / Impacts that are unrelated or irrelevant to the issue or event discussed.
Reaction / Reaction is very thoughtful, thorough, and includes evidence to support reaction. / Reaction is thoughtful and thorough, but does not include evidence to support reaction. / Reaction shows some thought and/or includes evidence to support reaction. / Reaction is vague, lacks focus or is limited.
Mechanics
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Indents
Total
Grand total: ______/20
20pt: 100%16pt: 88%12pt:78%8pt: 68%4pt: 57%
19pt: 97%15pt: 85%11pt:75%7pt: 65%
18pt: 94%14pt: 83%10pt:73%6pt: 63%
17pt: 91%13pt: 80% 9pt:70%5pt: 60%
Current Events Guidelines
Directions: Throughout the year, we will be following current events. You may use newspapers, the Internet, news magazines and TV or radio news programs to get your current event articles from. Articles must be scholarly in nature and have a direct relation to national or world affairs (sports or fashion magazines will not be accepted!)
During certain times, you may be asked to find articles based on a specific topic.One major focus of current events this semester will surround the various armed conflicts and revolutions this year. The news article you select to report on must be at least four paragraphs long and must be published within a month of the due date. Current events are due the last day of every week and are to be typed in Times New Roman 12pt. font, double spaced or LEGIBLY written in blue or black ink. Include your name, the date due, and period. Be sure to include a copy of the article when possible.
Suggested News Sources
The following is only a short list of reputable news sources. When in doubt about the validity of your source, ask Mr. Justice.
- BBC News:
- CNN News:
- The Washington Post:
- The New York Times:
- Al Jazeera:
- Newsweek:
- Education Weekly:
Below are the 4 major components of the Current Event I will be looking for. The first paragraph is a simple summary of the article. Answer the 5 W’s of journalism and briefly explain the event in context. The second paragraph concerns the event’s significance or importance. “This event is significant because ______” is a good way to start. Don’t continue to summarize the article. Explain why the event could impact the country or world as a whole. The third paragraph is your reflection of the event. This is the time for you to express your opinions about what has happened and what may happen in the future. IMPORTANT – BE PROFESSIONAL. I do not want to hear “This guy is stupid,” or “What happened was bad.” Don’t insult my intelligence by asking me to read a thoughtless reflection. Provide analysis of the event and explain why the event affects you. Finally, be sure to cite your article in MLA format. Use the link below to access a simple citation generator. (MLA – Web Document – Fill in the appropriate information).
Exemplar Current Event Assignment
Mr. JusticePeriod 08/27/12
“Acid attacks, poison: What Afghan girls risk by going to school” by Allie Torgan discusses the efforts of Razia Jan, a femaleteacher striving to bring education to girls in Deh’Subz, Afghanistan. The blogcenters around Jan and the Zabuli Education Center,a school for Afghan girls constantly threatened by terrorists opposed to the education of women. Since the school was opened in2008, Jan and her staff have been forced to take precautions such as checking water and air quality for poisons. According to thearticle, there were “185 documented attacks on schools and hospitals last year…attributed to armed groups opposed to girls’education” (Torgan). However, Jan continues to keep the doors to her school open in spite of the dangers. Additionally, she hasorganized many volunteer groups to help with events such as the terrorist attacks on September 11 and helping refugees in war-tornareas of Afghanistan. She ultimately believes that the empowerment and education of women benefits the future of Afghan women.
The significance of this article lies in the striking differences between perceptions of education and gender roles around theworld. In Torgan’s blog, Jan emphasizes how many groups in the Middle East believe girls do not deserve education; a privilege suchas this should belong to boys, the “backbone of Afghanistan.” By perpetrating acts such as acid attacks and poisoning water in thesegirls’ schools, terrorists are trying to intimidate women and limit their ability to alter the male-dominated power structure ingovernment and society. However, restricting the education of women will prevent any country from reaching its political oreconomic potential on the global stage. As Bill Gates said to a group of Saudi Arabians seeking to be a country among the Top 10 intechnology by 2010, “if you’re not fully utilizing half the talent in the country, you’re not going to get too close to the Top 10”(Kristof and WuDunn). The unutilized talent refers to women in countries where men in power prohibit the education andadvancement of women. Jan’s school in Afghanistan seeks to reverse this stigma by educating girls and giving them an even footingwith men in society. The promotion of education in Afghanistan, for both boys and girls, would also serve to empower the countrypolitically and economically in global affairs.
This article brings two issues to light: education of women and the effects of terror on public opinion. Clearly the education ofwomen and the work of Razia Jan should be applauded and replicated throughout the country. Education is an equalizer that givespeople opportunities for advancement that may not otherwise be afforded. Moreover, women are certainly capable of working on thelevel of men, as evidenced by women in politics such as Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton. However, acts of terror canintimidate entire groups of people and subjugate them in society. Until terrorists no longer threaten the education of women, schoolssuch as the Zabuli Education Center will struggle to be founded and maintained. By rooting out these terrorist groups and punishingthem accordingly, and by increasing the education of boys AND girls, countries such as Afghanistan can hope to create a brighterfuture for themselves and other countries around the world.
Kristof, Nicholas D., and Sheryl WuDunn."The Women's Crusade."NYTimes.com - Saving the World's Women. 17 Aug. 2009: n.
page. Web. 5 Aug. 2012. <
Torgan, Allie. "Acid attacks, poison: What Afghan girls risk by going to school." CNN.com, 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 5 Aug. 2012. <