PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS AND RESEARCH GUIDE Instructions
Choose a current event or news story that interests you. Once you have decided on an interesting piece of news, you will need to choose two sources that have covered the event. Choose one mainstream news source and one independent news source. In the essay box below, compare and contrast the different news sources' coverage of the event.

Sections 2 and 3 contain materials that will help you succeed in this project. Read through these sections, and then return here to complete your report.

Remember to document your sources according to MLA format (or the format assigned by your teacher).

Research Guide
Here are some helpful questions to help you in writing your report.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using an independent news source to learn more about this event?

Pros Cons

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a mainstream news source to learn more about this event?

Pros Cons

Compare the two sources. What information does one source include that the other source does not?

Write a paragraph answering the questions below:

What is the bias/slant of the first news article? Does this bias make the article less valid?

Find out who wrote or published the document
What else has the writer written about? Do these other articles reveal a bias?
What kind of commentary does the writer make?
Is it obvious what he or she thinks about the event?
Does she directly state an opinion?
Write a second paragraph answering the questions below:

What is the bias/slant of the second news article?

Does this bias make the article less valid?

Find out who published your document
Compare this news piece to other news pieces about the same thing
What is left out?
What is added?
How is the language different?
Do some research about the publisher or corporation.
What do they sell?
Who do they associate with?
What sorts of sponsors do they have?
Do these sponsors have special interests? Are they shown in the article?
The length of the two paragraphs should be at least 250 words.