For this short paper, you will undertake an analysis of eitheragenda-setting, framing, gatekeeping, or spiral of silencewith a focus on how a storyevent or set of candidates, political actors is/are presented indifferent ways by two different media sources.
Any source from the media. Online sources (rather than print versions of newspapers) might be easier to access, but any two sources covering a contemporary political matter will be fine.
This activity is designed to have you engage with the following general competencies:
• Describe a theory briefly, highlighting its main components
• Identify how each source handles the story differently and infer why they might do this, with reference to elements of your chosen theory
• Evaluate how the real-world event that is being reported differs depending on how each source has handled it
In your response you should provide a brief description of your chosen theory there is no set number of citations needed, but the textbook or suggested readings as appropriate and again do not cite my lecture videos as a source here. Next, you should respond to the prompt as you see fit - how you respond will depend on both the story/event you select and the theory you are using. However, you decide to write your paper, ensure that you cover the following
Clearly identify what topic you are covering. This may be an event, or a story. The original plan for this essay was to focus on coverage of the most recent presidential debate, so this is a good topic if you do not have another you wish to look at. If you look at the debate, covering the whole debate is too much for this size paper, so focus on one issue within in. This should explain the "reality" of the issue, before looking at how your media sources present it differently.
Clearly identify what the two sides are that you are looking at. This might be two positions on an issue, or in the case of the presidential debate, the two candidates. It will be harder to concisely describe how your chosen media sources treat each side if you don't make clear who or what they are.
Briefly describe each of your two media sources - one favoring one side/person, the second favoring the other side/person - and explain, with reference to your chosen theory, how each treats your sides or people differently.
Your short paper should be 1-2 pages long, Size 12, Times New Roman font, meaning that it must fill at least a single page entirely, and should not extend beyond 2.5 pages be double-spaced without additional blank lines between paragraphs; 1 inch margins; and use APA formatting.