History

How to Write the Current Event Paper

 The current event must come from a daily newspaper article – either from a printed newspaper or an on-line news source (Yahoo news, CNN news, etc.). Monthly magazines, foreign-language materials, and/or articles that cannot be linked to issues that DIRECTLY LINK to the United States will not be accepted so please don’t ask to be the exception to the rule.

 The Current Event must have occurred within one week of the date the assignment is due.

 All work must be at least 2-pages (not more than 3 pages) , typed and double- spaced.

 On the top of the paper type your name and the date on the upper left side. Then, centered on the paper, type the title and the author of the article. If no author is noted, type the news source (AP/UPI, Reuters, etc).

 How to do this: first, read the entire article, then read it again to make sure you understand it. Afterward, type, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, what the article is about. Only quote from the article if the author says something SO COMPELLING that you can’t say it any better. Otherwise, there is no need to quote.

 Next, relate the article directly to some aspect of the history of the United States in the 20th Century by doing a little research. First, look in the index of the Boyer book to see if any key words from the article jump out at you in the index. If you don’t see anything in the index that you can relate, go on the

internet and perform a key word search. After you do this research, write, IN YOUR OWN WORDS how you believe the article relates to the study of U.S. history in the 20th Century– relating the past to the present.

 Finally, offer a clear explanation about what you think of the article. What is your own opinion of the article? Do you think the author is correct in her/his thinking? Can you offer a different way of looking at things? What kind of impact do you think this article will have (or not have) on the lives of people today? Also, be sure to CITE YOUR RESEARCH (either from Boyer or other sources) at the end of the paper.

 After you’ve done the writing, attach the article to a separate sheet of paper and staple together with the written work showing first (Be neat about this! You would not believe what some people turn in as “college -level” work!).

Writing Hints:

 Do not write, “The article says…” instead use the author’s name.

 Note the difference between: “their” (their papers); “there” (over there)

 Proof-read! I cannot emphasize this enough and it’s a good habit to get into. Best is to let someone else read/edit, or, read it out loud to yourself!

 The assignment should be 2 FULL PAGES.