Name _____________________________________ Date _______________

Editorial Evaluation Monthly Homework Assignment GT

Once each month you will be asked to read and analyze a recent editorial from a newspaper, magazine, or
reputable online resource. Allow yourself enough time to find a quality editorial on a subject in which you are
interested.
Editorials cannot be any older than one month. Cut out or print the editorial and staple it to your evaluation.
Proof-read your work; spelling and grammar errors will hurt your grade. Please write in complete sentences in
the correct format which is outlined below.
1. Your name and date.
2. Bibliography of your source. Examples below:
Magazine:
Authors name, articles title, magazine, date, page(s)

Example: Lavelle, Marianne. Teen tobacco wars US News & World Report 7 Feb. 2005: 14-16.
(If there is no given author, just begin with the title of the article)
Newspaper:
Authors name, articles headline, newspaper, date, pages

Example: Knight, Ridder. Power trip falls short. The Sun 12 Mar. 2005: 1E, 10E.
(If there is no given author, just begin with the title of the article)
Internet:
Authors name, articles headline, website address (URL), date.

Example: Stevenson, Christopher. Baltimore bids for Olympics of 2012.
www.baltimoresun.com. 15 Mar. 2005.
(If there is no given author, just begin with the title of the article)

3. Describe/Explain the general topic or background/situation being discussed in the editorial.
This should be at least 2 sentences.
4. State and explain the authors position or opinion on the topic or situation presented in the editorial.
5. State whether you agree with the author or not. Explain why you feel that way (justify your feelings).
6. Explain how or why the author is demonstrating bias. It is possible that you might think the author is
not bias, but you must still explain why you feel this way.
7. Provide a counter-claim, or an argument, someone would make who disagrees with the author. Be
sure to include the reasoning or explanation the counter-claim might have.
8. Connect the topic of the article, or the authors opinion, to an event or argument in history. This does
not have to be an event we are currently discussing in class.

Remember: Editorials vs. News Stories
New Stories
- Uses facts, not opinions. The author usually keeps their own opinions out of the story.
- Answers; who, what, when, where, why and how
Editorials
- Author gives their opinion on the issue, BUT uses facts or evidence to support their argument
- Sometimes urges readers to think a certain way or take a specific action