Current Events are short two-paragraph essays due twice each quarter to strengthen skills in the areas of reading, writing, summarizing, crafting an opinion with supporting details, and examining multiple perspectives. These reports also encourage students to stay informed of news happening around the world, and be critical researchers in understanding current issues.

Below are instructions students receive for each Current Event. Reports must be typed.

Step One: Choose an article from a reputable news website, making sure to decide on one that is both interesting and challenging to you.

However, you can use articles from other sources, such as www.npr.org, news.bbc.co.uk, www.nytimes.com, www.reuters.com.

Step Two: Read and highlight the article, focusing on the following items:

Who was involved?

What happened?

Where did it happen?

Why did it happen, or why is it an important issue?

How did it come about, or how will people attempt to solve the issue?

Step Three: Type a two-paragraph report.

First paragraph: Your summary/facts of the event or issue

Second paragraph: Summary of your opinion

Your report must be in Arial or Times New Roman, 12 or 14 point font, double space.

Check when done!	Checklist: 4 Items (continued on back)
	1. Header in right-hand corner: Your last name only on top line, page number on second line (To do this, go to “Insert” → “Header”). Make sure you choose sequential pages (1, 2, etc.).
	2. Title of article in quotation marks on the top line with important words capitalized, and name of author or publishing company on the second line (both centered).
	3. First paragraph summary of facts: 6-8 quality, complex sentences that include the who, what, where, when, why and how of what happened. Must also be fully edited.
	4. Second paragraph opinion with supports: 6-8 quality, complex sentences that discuss the perspectives of the people involved in the article AND cover your own opinion. Your opinion must include reasonable support as to why you think the way you do. Must also be fully edited.

Score	Summary	Opinion	Sentence Variety	Editing
5	Summary explains key points in own words	Opinion includes different perspectives as well as own with supportive reasoning	Complex/variety of sentences used in most areas	0-3 editing errors
4	Summary missing 1-2 key points	Opinion includes only ONE perspective AND own opinion	Complex/variety of sentences used 3-4 times throughout report	4-5 editing errors
3	Summary missing 1-2 key points	Opinion includes only one perspective OR own opinion	Complex/variety of sentences used 1-2 times throughout report	6-7 editing errors
2	Summary missing more than 2 key points	Opinion includes only own opinion	Complex/variety of sentences not used in report	8 or more editing errors
1 or 0	Incomplete/missing report