Research and Report on a Famous Journalist

Choose a pair of journalists from the list below and create a PowerPoint presentation on his/her life. Be sure to include all elements from the requirements list below. You will need 5 slides for each of the journalists. Use the Website Evaluation Checklist before taking notes. Please ask if you have any questions. Journalists:
Christiane Amanpour and Jessica Savitch Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodard Walter Cronkite and Howard Cosell Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman) and Matthew Brady Katie Couric and Matt Laurer

Mike Wallace and Ed Bradley

David Brinkley and Hugh Downs

Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer

William Randolph Hearst Elijah Lovejoy and Charles and Edward R. Murrow Kuralt

Katharine Graham and Ethel Payne and Margaret Bourke - White Ben Bradlee
Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw Walter Winchell and Ernie Pyle Jacob Riis and John Peter Zenger

Ida Tarbell and Margaret Fuller

Requirements: For each person have the following information listed in bullet form Slide 1 the name of the person, a picture and the date of their birth and death if applicable Slide 2 Where did the person go to college and what was the first news company they worked for? Slide 3 What was a famous story they covered/reported? Were they ever involved in any controversy? What are/were their views on politics/war? Slide 4 - Did they receive any awards for their work? Are any awards named after them? Have they published any books or what books have been written about them? Slide 5 Is the person alive or dead? If alive what are they currently doing? If dead where are they buried? Describe their family and anything else that you found interesting or unusual. Make sure your slides are easy to read not too busy! If you find a movie clip with the journalist you may include that too. Be ready to present when finished.

Website Evaluation Checklist

1. What is the title of the web page? 2. What is the URL address of the web page? 3. Is it clear who wrote the information? Author an individual or an organization? Who is it?

Name:______________________

4. Who sponsors the web site or page? Is there a way to contact the author or organization e-mail or phone number?

5. Is the purpose of the site clear? What is the purpose? Who is the intended audience? What information does it give?

6. Is the site relevant for what you are working on? If so, see if you can list five things to find out from the site.

7. Can the information be checked or verified? What are the authors qualifications? Has anyone else said the same things somewhere else? If the information is new, is there any proof? 8. Is the site up to date? Does the site have a date for its last update?

9. Do all the links (if any) work on the page? 10. Is there any advertising on this page? If yes, can you tell what is advertising and what is information content?

11. Is the information biased in any way? Does it try to get you to think one way or another? Does it provide balanced information for all points of view on your topic or does it give only one opinion?

12. Does the site offer the reader choices? Does the site give you advice? Does it tell you about other ideas? 13. Do YOU feel the information on the site is reliable? Explain why or why not. 14. What are your general viewpoints regarding this site? Could you use it for your research purposes or would it be better for personal use? Would you recommend it to others?