How has the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address been framed by each of these media organizations? Are there any differences or similarities in framing among the three dominant cable news networks? Why?
POLS 150: AMERICAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Due: Submit the day of your final exam, printed, in class
Assignment
One of the ways political scientists analyze media coverage is to look at how political issues are framed by the different media outlets. Conduct your own analysis of the content on the webpages of the three dominant cable news channels about the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. These articles shape the national dialogue and are an important part of understanding public opinion and political behavior.
Review the content and coverage of this story and analyze the webpages below for Fox News, CNN, and NBC. How does each of these frame this issue? What are the similarities? What are the differences? Using theories about the media from your text and/or lecture, why do you think these similarities and/or differences exist?
How has the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address been framed by each of these media organizations? Are there any differences or similarities in framing among the three dominant cable news networks? Why?
• Have a strong thesis statement in the beginning of your essay.
o For this essay, your thesis is about why you think the differences or similarities in framing exist. This will be based on one of the factors that affect news coverage in your text from the chapter on the media or a factor we talked about in lecture. Choose one of these factors to explain why these differences/similarities exist.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the term framing.
o Clearly identify the definition of framing.
• Analyze the framing of this issue on each webpage. What is the general theme of the story about this event? Things to consider when analyzing framing:
o The length of the article comparatively (is the article short or long?)
o The verbiage used to describe the event (Is it hostile? friendly? serious? sarcastic?)
o Quotations used (who is quoted in the article? What did their choice of using those quotes tell us about this issue? )
o Tone of coverage (Is the coverage positive or negative?)
o Visuals on the webpage about the story (are there any visuals/videos associated with the story? Why are they there? How do they contribute to framing?)
• Compare the three articles about the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.
o How does Fox News frame this issue? Is it the same as NBC and/or CNN?
o How does NBC frame this issue? Is it the same as Fox News and/or CNN?
o How does CNN frame this issue? Is it the same as NBC and/or Fox News?
• State why you think these framing differences and/or similarities exist.
o Why do these outlets cover the same story differently or similarly?
o Think about what motivates media coverage based on what you learned in your text about “what affects news coverage” and in lecture. Be sure to support your conclusion about this with evidence from the text or lecture.
Your opinion about this event and whether you agree with the framing choices is not the focus of this essay. Instead, focus on analyzing the way the story is covered by these three outlets and a theoretical explanation.
Sources to use for this paper:
Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/19/ceremony-will-mark-150th-anniversary-gettysburg-address/
NBC: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53592436/ns/us_news/t/lincolns-gettysburg-address-powerful-second-act-author/#.UoumIcSkq5I
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/19/us/gettysburg-address-quotable-facebook/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
NOTE: Printed versions of each story are available on CI Learn but they are lacking many of the important factors that contribute to framing. Only use the printed versions on CI Learn if the links cannot be accessed.
Formatting
Your essay should:
• Be typed, double-spaced, normal margins, in a normal font
• Have, at minimum, two full pages (not 1 ½ pages)
• Have your name in top left hand corner (no cover page needed)
• Have page numbers
• Have a references page for any sources used. This includes the articles and your text.
• Be turned in by the day of your scheduled final. Print your paper and bring a copy to your scheduled final exam.
Outlines and Rough Drafts
I will accept outlines through Monday, December 2, by noon, submitted as an attachment (in either .doc, .docx, or .rtf format), from your school email, with a subject line of “paper outline.” If you send an outline after December 2, I cannot guarantee I will get it back to you before the essay is due.
General Writing Advice:
Thesis Statement:
o Every essay should have a clear thesis statement that answers the posted question. This thesis statement should be included in the beginning of your essay, usually at the end of your introduction.
o The thesis is often no more than one or two sentences.
o For this paper, your thesis is about why you think the differences or similarities in framing exist based on a factor from lecture or from the section in your text about “what affects news coverage.”
o You may find it helpful to write or clarify your thesis once your thought process and your initial outline are completed. I often found myself writing my introduction after most of my essay was already written. This made it easier to provide a clear and concise thesis.
Sources and References:
o There are no outside sources required for this essay, except for the links to the articles above. You should cite the news articles and your text book. Proper referencing takes practice and with just a few references, this is a good way to practice.
o I do not care which style (APA, MLA, etc.) you use for references. For more information on proper citation see http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/citations.html.
o If you choose to use an outside reference, make sure it is academic (not Wikipedia or most of the information found on the Internet) and properly cited and referenced.
o Do not use “copy/paste” without quotation marks and a reference.
o I check for instances of plagiarism on all essays.
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