8th Grade – Honors - Political Party Assessment/Analysis/Essay 2014
1. Overview. Students will be presented with information concerning the two major political parties of the U.S. government in class. Students will then apply this knowledge with their own beliefs to form analysis and opinions of material presented by our news media. The activity will culminate with an essay where students declare themselves most aligned with one of the major political parties based on the issues.
2. News media review requirements. These are to be documented in your notebook and will be heavily weighted. To successfully complete this project, you will summarize and analyze at least six television news programs. At least three will be from MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, or CNNand three will be from FOX News Channel. You may choose from syndicated shows or top of the hour news reporting shows. Since MSNBC does not do top of the hour news you may obtain these from NBC, ABC, CBS or CNN. Examples of syndicated shows and top the hour news shows are listed below. Of the three you MUST include at least one syndicated show. You are required to only watch and summarize the first 15 minutes of each show (which hopefully will include the lead story). You MUST watch opposing networks on the same day so that you can best analyze the reporting.
- Summary – in a paragraph (4 to 5 sentences), summarize what you observed on television for each show. (please use the attached form).
- Analysis – in a paragraph explain the similarities and differences, media bias if any, which side did the media bias favor, which network do you think was more accurate/non bias in their reporting? Why?Were the same stories covered? Why/why not?
c. Examples of Syndicated News Shows:
(1) MSNBC – Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, and Chris Hayes
(2) Fox News Channel – Bill O’Reilly, Megyn Kelly, and Greta Van Susteren
d. Examples of top of the hour world news shows:
(1) ABC (Diane Sawyer), NBC (Brian Williams), CBS (Scott Pelley), CNN (Jake Tapper)
(2) Fox News Channel - Shepard Smith, Brett Baier, and Neil Cavuto
3. Political Party Essay. 100 points. Using data compiled in your viewings of the news media, teacher handouts, discussions with responsible adults (your parents) and any research conducted on your own, you are to write a: 1.5 to 2.5 page, 1.5 spacing, size 12 font, five (5) paragraph essay explaining your political party preference. You must justify your position based on your analysis of three issues of your choice. You must includeBOTH party views of the issue. Then you must justify your position on the issue (Republican or Democrat) with justification. You must include an introduction paragraph and a conclusion paragraph. You should have three or more body paragraphs. Each new idea/issue should have its own separate paragraph. Please see the attached teacher scoring rubric.
4. Due dates:
a. News media review requirement (put in Notebook)– ______
b. Political Party Essay - ______
5. Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I write about an issue in my essay that was NOT reported when I was viewing the news (i.e.; abortion)? Yes
2. What should I do if I do not have access to a television or Fox News Channel? You may use on line sources. All of the major television news networks offer their major news sources on line.