Paper #2 Assignment—Theories of News
The Assignment
Your assignment is to write a paper to explain and present a critical perspective on an important theory of news. Choose among our readings of: Jürgen Habermas, Michael Schudson, Noam Chomsky and Edward Herrmann, Stuart Hall, Benedict Anderson, or Lauren Berlin.
The first part will sound simple enough: to explain implies you will present the theory at hand with your own words using selected quotations and examples from the author. The second part—present a critical perspective—is a bit more complex. This might include: pointing out some problems with the theory, highlighting the implications of the theory, comparing the argument with historical examples presented elsewhere (say in Bill Kovarik), comparing the theory to other theories of news, or analyzing a particular primary source in light of this idea.
Your goal is to develop an interesting, not obvious, argument about a particular theory of news.
Some Guidelines
- Length: 3 to 5 pages
- Format & citations: follow the guidelines in the Sample Short Paper. For citations, use Chicago-style footnotes with precise references, following the examples in Mary Lynn Rampolla as explained in the Sample Paper
- Upload paper in pdf format to Moodle assignment
Criteria
- Does it show a mastery of the theory of news?
- Does it present an interesting and relevant critical perspective?
- Does it present a strong thesis?
- Does it deliver this thesis with well-chosen examples and strong analysis?
- Is it well organized (with a strong structure and well-organized paragraphs)?
- Is it well written (in clear, precise, direct prose)?
- Is it free of errors of grammar or spelling?
- Is it formatted correctly?
- Is it interesting?