Homework Assignment due in class on Thursday, Sept. 13

Use your composition book to summarize two current news stories that really interest you. Choose one story from the USA and one story from the world (anywhere outside of the USA).

This time, challenge yourself by summarizing news stories that are spoken rather than written.  Look for news stories on the television or the radio.  You might also want to look for spoken news stories that can be listened to over the Internet.  Some possible places you can go to hear the news over the Internet:

• http://www.voanews.com/
• http://www.npr.org/
• http://www.cnn.com/video/

For both stories, the entries in your composition book should follow the outline below:

1. Summarize the story in your own words. Who or what is the story about? Where, when, and how did it take place? Why is it important enough to be on the news?
2. Voice your opinion about what happened. What might be wrong with the situation and how might you change it?
3. Write two discussion questions about the story for your classmates. Try to write open-ended questions that will generate discussion and debate; avoid yes/no questions.

I will collect your composition books with your news stories in class on Monday. Be prepared to share at least one of your stories!