Watch produced news coverage of the same story from three different television networks to compare and contrast how the stories were presented. Sheelect coverage that inherently offers different views; an essay that says, "They were all the same" suggests student has not fully understood how to select appropriately.

News means, by definition, what is new. Stories that happened a year ago or 10 years ago are not appropriate.

No celebrity or entertainment industry stories, unless these intersect with a public issues, such as celebrity whose troubles highlight sexual or racial issues.

Do not select editorials and opinion coverage, such as discussion panels. Select stories that involve a reporter out covering a news event.

We are specifically looking at television news coverage; written news articles are not acceptable for this assignment.

Consider the following:

· What was the headline of the news story shown on the screen? How does the headline affect the viewer's perception of the story? Who was the target audience for this story?

· What images were shown on the screen? Was there a reporter live on the scene? Were there other speakers being interviewed? How was the credibility of the speakers established during the story? What social groups did they belong to?

· Was the story reported at face value (see this week's theories for how we can dig deeper and beneath the surface of news reports)? Was there evidence of sensationalism for entertainment value (for example, use of emotional words or shocking images)? What type of ethical considerations were required for the station's coverage of the story? Was there evidence of bias in the coverage?

· Finally, analyze the similarities and differences in the stories you viewed. Applying your knowledge of media-related communication theories, what conclusions can you offer that a smart media consumer should consider as he or she views produced news segments?

Cite at least two peer-reviewed sources other than your textbook, Introducing Communication Theory. Please ask questions if you are not sure what a peer-reviewed reference is.

Cite the news reports in-text and in the reference list using APA style.

Format your assignment according to appropriate course-level APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

Alternatively, you may create a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation, with detailed speaker's notes, that describes the coverage from each source. The speaker's notes must be as complete as the 1000-word paper. You must still use citations in APA style and have a reference list. Let me be frank: The slide shows I have seen have not fulfilled the assignment at a high level of excellence. I removed this option for a while. I received one good PowerPoint last time I taught this course and several poor ones. I am adding an additional option: If you would like to provide audio narration for your PowerPoint slides -- this is completely voluntarily -- I am willing to see what talented students might do with this. You still have to submit your detailed speaker's notes with citations. The rubric is the same; I will adapt it if I need to on a case-by-base basis.

Format your assignment according to appropriate course-level APA guidelines.

NewsRubrictoPost.docx

Grading Criteria for News Analysis Essay (Week 5)

*Content* *60 Points*	Points Earned xx/70	Additional Comments:
All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way. · Paper is 750 to 1050 words in length; I prefer the essay form, excluding title page and reference list. Please include word count at end of essay. · The work is analytical and addresses all the questions asked by the assignment. Checklist: __ Headline, affect on viewer's perception, most likely target audience. __ Images shown on screen? Reporter? Other speakers? How was credibility of speakers established? What social groups did they represent? __ Just the fact or sensationalism for entertainment value? What images and language support your conclusion? __ Ethical considerations for the station's coverage of the story? Evidence of bias in the coverage? __ Analyze the similarities and differences in the reports. Applying your knowledge of media and public communication theories, what conclusions can you offer that a smart media consumer should consider as he or she views produced news segments? · Paper is written in third-person point of view or limited first-person narration.	Be sure these are news reports, not opinion commentaries. The three news reports that you analyze must have APA in-text citations and appear in the reference list with a working link that I can follow. The assignment requires two peer-reviewed sources and a reference to West and Turner (2014). -2 pts for each source that is missing.
Content is comprehensive, accurate, and/or persuasive.
Paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and uses the vocabulary of theory correctly. · All discussion areas are substantively covered. · Terms and concepts are defined or explained accurately as needed.
· Major points are stated clearly and are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis, and the paper includes at least two peer-reviewed citations. · The news reports are cited in the paper using APA style and in the reference list. I MUST HAVE WORKING LINKS to the videos in the reference list. Please check these.

*Organization / Development* *20 Points*	Points Earned xx/15	Additional Comments:
Paper has a structure that is clear, logical, and easy to follow.	Please be sure your paper has an introduction with a thesis. Ideally, the thesis establishes a theory that you will use for your analysis in the concluding paragraph. We often must write the introduction last, after all our conclusions are in place.
Paper develops a central theme or idea, directed toward the appropriate audience.
Introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.
Major points are stated clearly and are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis.
Conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points.
Transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and sections aid in maintaining the flow of thought.
Tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.

*Mechanics* *20 Points*	Points Earned Xx/15	Additional Comments:
The paper, including the title page, reference page, tables, and appendices, follows APA guidelines for format.	Be sure to check your essay for: Spelling Grammar: pronoun agreement of number Grammar: verb tense and verb conjugation Comma after an introductory clause Comma before a coordinating conjunction Title page error In-text references Reference list errors
Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow APA guidelines.
Paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font styles, and white space.
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.
Sentences are complete, clear, concise, and varied.
Spelling is correct.

*Total* *100 Points*	Points Earned xx/100	Additional Comments: