Journal Articles Assignment
The Journal Articles Assignment is a research project geared to have you explore current and newsworthy events pertaining to the print industry itself, not just articles that are located in print, but are related to how the print industry itself works or how the industries are adjusting to current and newer competition This includes the newspaper, magazine, and/or book industries. There will be one of these assignments due during the semester.
The assignment will require you to find two (2) articles on the same subject (can be from the same publication or Internet) as long as they are on different dates and are related articles. Any periodical, newspaper, or Internet based articles are accepted as long as they are current (within six (6) months or less). You will combine the two articles into one summary, then form their own conclusion and opinion as the final portion of the paper.
To properly answer the questions for this and subsequent projects, you should have a minimum of three to five pages typed with size 12 font in either Arial or Time New Roman style. For more detailed information and requirements to complete this project successfully, refer to the “Assignments” folder in the class Website.
JOURNAL ARTICLES ASSIGNMENT
Mass Media in Modern Society
Purpose of assignment:
• To become familiar with various print and/or magazine publications.
• To become familiar with current issues in the various types of print media.
• To learn more about the aspect of the print media and their role in society.
HOW TO COMPLETE THE JOURNAL ARTICLE ASSIGNMENT:
1. Visit the magazine section of the school or public library, or utilize the Internet.
2. Pick from any periodical or use any current newspaper to gather your information.
3. Suggestions for newspapers/magazines include but are not limited to:
OC Register LA Times Wireless Broadcast & Cable
NY Times Time Wired U.S News/World Report
Newsweek USA Today Business Week Wall Street Journal
These are suggested, but you can use any publication or the Web that
includes relevant information pertaining to the print industry in the media.
4. You should not use tabloid style papers or gossip periodicals for this
assignment. (No Enquirer, Star or Globe articles!)
5. Choose an article of interest from one of the publications. Articles should not be over six
months old.
6. Choose another article on the same subject from another publication, or from
another edition of the same publication.
7. Read and review each article thoroughly. What is the main statement of each article? How
do they relate to your subject?
8. Write a summary of the articles which reviews the facts and essential
information they contain. Begin your response with a good introductory sentence or
paragraph. (This means to begin your summary as if the person reading it has no
knowledge of the material).
9. Write a final paragraph in which you state your opinion about the subject
of the articles.
10. Submit online in Microsoft Word or an .rtf file via Blackboard on the announced due date.
11. If you don’t have a word processor to use, go to the free Google site for forms:
http://docs.google.com
12. The length should be between 3-5 pages, double-spaced using Times
New Roman, Ariel, or Courier font in size 12 type.
JOURNAL ARTICLES ASSIGNMENT
Mass Media in Modern Society
Purpose of assignment:
• To become familiar with various print and/or magazine publications.
• To become familiar with current issues in the various types of print media.
• To learn more about the aspect of the print media and their role in society.
HOW TO COMPLETE THE JOURNAL ARTICLE ASSIGNMENT:
1. Visit the magazine section of the school or public library, or utilize the Internet.
2. Pick from any periodical or use any current newspaper to gather your information.
3. Suggestions for newspapers/magazines include but are not limited to:
OC Register LA Times Wireless Broadcast & Cable
NY Times Time Wired U.S News/World Report
Newsweek USA Today Business Week Wall Street Journal
These are suggested, but you can use any publication or the Web that
includes relevant information pertaining to the print industry in the media.
4. You should not use tabloid style papers or gossip periodicals for this
assignment. (No Enquirer, Star or Globe articles!)
5. Choose an article of interest from one of the publications. Articles should not be over six
months old.
6. Choose another article on the same subject from another publication, or from
another edition of the same publication.
7. Read and review each article thoroughly. What is the main statement of each article? How
do they relate to your subject?
8. Write a summary of the articles which reviews the facts and essential
information they contain. Begin your response with a good introductory sentence or
paragraph. (This means to begin your summary as if the person reading it has no
knowledge of the material).
9. Write a final paragraph in which you state your opinion about the subject
of the articles.
10. Submit online in Microsoft Word or an .rtf file via Blackboard on the announced due date.
11. If you don’t have a word processor to use, go to the free Google site for forms:
http://docs.google.com
12. The length should be between 3-5 pages, double-spaced using Times
New Roman, Ariel, or Courier font in size 12 type.
EVALUATION of Journal Articles (50 points possible)
Acceptable articles and summaries must meet following criteria:
– Articles must relate directly to course content, and not more than six months old.
– The summary must be written in your own words, and must be typed.
– The opinion paragraph should state what impact this has or will have on the media
– The typed summary must be in the appropriate format. (SEE ATTACHED
FORMAT SHEET)
REASONS WHY A SUMMARY WILL GET A GOOD GRADE:
• Typed with no errors in grammar, spelling, or sentence structure
• Neat, professional appearance without noticeable errors or erasures
• Using the proper format sheet
• Use of proper font, font size, and double spaced
• Two related articles summarized together, then given a summary and opinion
• Relevant, recent material on technology
• Length of typed portion a minimum of three pages
REASONS WHY A SUMMARY WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED, OR WOULD HAVE POINTS
DEDUCTED FROM THE TOTAL:
• Summary is not typewritten
• Journal article is not current (over six months old)
• Journal article is about an area that is not within the scope of the course.
• An article that is not an article, but a list or advertisement
• An article is an opinion piece, rather than factual information
• The summary is poorly written with spelling and grammatical errors.
• Half credit maximum given for work presented within one week of due date
• Work turned in over one week past due date will not be given credit
• Not using required font and type size
• Not following the format sheet
(SEE NEXT PAGE FOR TYPED FORMAT INSTRUCTIONS)
FORMAT FOR SUMMARY OF JOURNAL ARTICLES
Name: (This is an example of your first page – no cover sheets needed)
Date:
Course: Comm233
Subject: Newspaper Circulation Continues to Slide
Journals: Time Magazine, 6/20/08 (pp. 25-28)
MSMBC, www.msnbc.com/8.10.08)
Orange County Register, 7/7/08 (Business, pp. 10-11)
SAMPLE SUMMARY OF JOURNAL ARTICLES (double space all your typed work)
Despite efforts of the major metropolitan newspapers around the country, they are all facing
serious setbacks due to a ongoing decline in circulation. Recently, the LA Times laid off a good
portion of their staff while other major market papers are rethinking their own methods to trim the
overhead.
OPINIONS / IMPRESSIONS
Fee free to express your opinion or impression of the summary after stating the facts of the two
articles in your typed response. Your opinion section should be at least one page and at the end of
the typed summary. Do not express your opinion in the article summary section, as that summary
should only deal with the facts stated in the journal articles.
SOURCES.
Include the sources for your material under the ‘subject’ heading as shown above. Your
sources should have page number references, and if you are using a Web based article, include the
URL (address for the article. Any sentences or paragraphs taken verbatim (that is, copied exacted
as written from articles) must have credit information as to the author or publisher of the material
footnoted within the paper. If there is no mention of credit for material used, the assignment
will be considered plagiarized and will not receive credit.
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