AP GOV & POL CURRENT EVENT ASSIGNMENT



WEEKLY CURRENT EVENT ASSIGNMENT

Instructions: Select an article of at least 300 words or more from a newspaper, news magazine, or Internet site.

After carefully reading the article, complete the following questions and attach a copy of the article to the back of the assignment sheet. Be prepared to present your article to the class. One current event analysis is due each week. The current event may only be from the current week. Older articles are no longer “current.” When selecting a current event, you must be sure that they relate to one of the following themes:

• THE PRESIDENT

• US CONGRESS (HOUSE, SENATE OR BOTH)

• US SUPREME COURT

• POLITICAL PARITES OR INTEREST GROUPS

• STATE GOVERNMENT (NY STATE)

• DOMESTIC, ECONOMIC, OR FOREIGN POLICY

FORMAT:

1. Use a separate sheet of paper, typed, double-spaced.

2. At the top left corner of the paper along with your heading, include

Topic Choice:

Title:

Author:

Source:

STEPS:

1. Include all bibliographic information in MLA format. Use the following sites to help put your bibliographic information in MLA format: or

2. General Summary and/or thesis argument of the author: (is this a report of the news or an editorial/opinion piece?)

3. Constructing support: (what are 2-3 pieces of evidence based on the information presented?)

4. Logical Analysis: (What conclusions/generalizations can be drawn from this article? Is this an editorial? If so, is the argument logical or does the author resort to using logical fallacies?)

5. Abstracting: (Of the themes listed above, what would the current event fit under and why? Explain.)

6. Analyzing Perspective: (What do you think about this issue/info? Also, do you think it has a subjective (opinionated) bias or is it objective reporting of the news? Given this, is the author credible? Why or why not? How do you know? What perspective is it? Think about the nuanced ‘labels’ – e.g. neo-conservative, neo-liberal, social conservative, social liberal.)

7. Critical Thinking Questions: (Think outside of the box!! I ask questions in front of you all the time.)

PART II: POLITICAL CARTOON ASSIGNMENT

Directions: Locate a current and RELEVANT political cartoon from a newspaper, news magazine, online news source or book. The cartoon should be from at least 4 weeks prior to the due date to count as current.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Choose a current and RELEVANT political cartoon from a news source.

2) Topics should revolve around topics or controversies from the following chapters:

• THE PRESIDENT

• US CONGRESS (HOUSE, SENATE OR BOTH)

• US SUPREME COURT

• POLITICAL PARITES OR INTEREST GROUPS

• STATE GOVERNMENT (NY STATE)

• DOMESTIC, ECONOMIC, OR FOREIGN POLICY

3) Search for political cartoons relating to the aforementioned topics/themes. You can also use the GOV MEDIA LIST that I gave you at the beginning of the year to find others:































4) At the top left corner of the paper along with your heading, include

Topic Choice:

Title:

Author:

Source:

5) No points will be given to political cartoons over 4 weeks old, or if the article is off topic (meaning it is not related to one of the assigned themes).

Name/Class ___________________________

EXAMPLE ONLY—You need to find your own cartoon

Cartoon Analysis Guide

Use this guide to identify the persuasive techniques used in political cartoons.

Symbolism—Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends

each symbol to stand for.

Exaggeration—Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly

exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

Labeling—Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object clearer?

Analogy—An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point clearer to you.

Irony—Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?

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FORMAT

1. Include all bibliographic information in MLA format. Use the following sites to help put your bibliographic information in MLA format: or

2. Summary/what is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon? (4-5 sentences) Make sure to attach cartoon you find to your submission.

3. Are there any real people or places in the cartoon? List who these people are. If not, what images are portrayed in the cartoon?

4. Identify the specific artistic techniques used in the cartoon (i.e., symbolism, analogy, exaggeration, labeling, and irony). What is the artist trying to show the reader by using these techniques?

5. What is the cartoonist's bias or point of view about the topic portrayed in the cartoon? Give examples to support your interpretation, e.g. are they criticizing a liberal/conservative? How do you know?

6. Which unit(s) would this cartoon fit under and why? Explain.

7. How does this affect you as a citizen? (3-4 sentences).

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