Name: _______________________
News Article Analysis Worksheet
Over the summer break you should be aware of the various news stories that are breaking
around the world. Over the course of the summer, you should find a total of three news articles
that are interesting to you. One article must be dated from the week of June 29-July 5, one
article must be dated from July 13-19, and one article must be dated from July 27-August 2.
Read these three articles, and complete the following analysis sheet for all three. If you have
any questions you will be able to reach me at Kristin.lefebvre@timberlane.net. Have a great
summer!
Newspaper/Electronic Source: __________________________ Pages: _______
Name of article: _______________________________Date: _________________
1. What do you already know about that topic?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Comprehensiveness of Information
A. The 5 "W's" and "H"
1. Who? ____________________________________________________________
2. What? ___________________________________________________________
3. When? __________________________________________________________
4. Where? ___________________________________________________________
5. Why? ____________________________________________________________
6. How? ____________________________________________________________
B. Were all the 5 "W's" and "H" answered? ____________________________
C. Of all the 5 "W's" and "H", star the one you think is the most important.
Tell why.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Magnitude of the event in story
A. Is it international, national, or local?
Name: _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________
B. What is its impact? How many people were affected by it?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. Reliability of Sources
A. Is there an author's name ____________________________________________
B. Did the article come from a wire service? _____________________________
C. Who are the sources in the article itself? (Examples: lawyer, doctor,
neighbor, police officer, forensics expert)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Personal Reaction
What do you think of this article? (Discuss in at least five complete sentences)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________
Skill Proficient - 4 Effective - 3 Emerging - 2 Novice - 1
Assessed
Content Use of content terms Use of content terms Use of content terms Use of content terms
demonstrates an in depth demonstrates an demonstrates an demonstrates an
and effective understanding of the understanding of the incomplete or inaccurate
understanding of the topic. There is use of topic but leaves some understanding of the
topic. There is a facts that are aspects unaddressed. topic. Minimal use of facts
substantial use of facts connected to the Limited facts that are vaguely connection to the
that are strongly activity. somewhat connection activity.
connected to the activity. to the activity.
Analysis Clearly logical response Response that Response that Response that has little
that includes worthwhile includes worthwhile includes some worthwhile information
information that is information that information that and addresses the
connected to and addresses the partially addresses essential question in a
effectively answers the essential question. the essential limited way.
essential question. question.
Synthesis Student uses most if not Student uses some Student uses a limited Student uses minimal key
all of the key terms the key words and the number of key words words and response has
response has an effective response has an and the response has an ineffective or simplistic
structure. appropriate structure. a confusing structure. structure.
Competency Student evaluation Student evaluation Student evaluation Student evaluation
demonstrates an effective demonstrates a grasp demonstrates a demonstrates a confused
grasp of the target of the target limited grasp of the or inaccurate grasp of the
competency. competency. target competency. target competencies.
