This document provides instructions for a student assignment to find and summarize a current news article or event. Students are told to choose an article from the past two weeks from local newspapers, magazines, or online sources. They should fill out an organizer with the article name, source and date, and a summary of the main points. Then they should write a paragraph summarizing the article and explaining why it is important and why they chose it. The instructions emphasize keeping summaries brief and focused on key details, and having an adult proofread their work before submitting.

1. Name: ___________________ # _____ Date: ____________________
October 25, 2010
Current Event:
You Choose
This week you will be looking for a current event that interests you either in the subject
that it talks about, the opinion that it gives, or the way it makes you feel. This week you will
choose the type of article you find and write about. Remember to choose an article that is
no more than 2 weeks old. Great places to look would be the Benicia Herald, the Vallejo
Times Herald, online like Scholastic News, or even in magazines. Many newspapers have online
versions that they update daily if you do not subscribe to a newspaper. Another great place
to look is the public library. They subscribe to many of the local newspapers and also have
internet access available.
After you have chosen your story, complete the form on the back of this page to help
you organize your thoughts. Your writing will need to include a summary of the article, explain
why the article is important or who it will affect, and tell about why you chose this story. After
filling in the organizer on the back, you will need to rewrite your information into a paragraph.
Your summary and other information about the article should be included in the paragraph.
Your final copy should be written in ink or typed. Have fun and happy current event hunting!
Remember:
• A summary is a paragraph that includes only the main details of the article. Only
include the information that is the most important and leave out the smaller details.
• The story or article you choose must be current! You cannot choose a story that is
more than 2 weeks old.
• Your current events are due Friday. When you turn them in they should include a
completed back page, the article or story / information about the news program, and a
final copy of your information that is written in ink or typed.
• Have a parent proofread your writing to check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

2. Name of Newspaper or Other Source: ______________________________________________
Date of Article or Story: ___________________________________________________________
Title of Article or Story: ___________________________________________________________
Summary (remember to just include the main points!): __________________________________
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You can attach another sheet of paper if you need more space.
Why was this story important and who will it affect the most? ___________________________
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Why did this story interest you? ____________________________________________________
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• Make sure a parent or other adult proofreads your work before you do your final copy!