Current Events Project

Purpose:
To become a more well informed and well-rounded citizen of the United States you will conduct
research about current events going on in the U.S. and around the world. The current events
will cover a variety of topics including politics, sports, and weather.

Directions:
You will research a topic each day and write a summary about the article you read. Your
summaries should be a minimum of 2 paragraphs and follow one of two writing formats. Please
follow the 2 part rules below:

Part 1: Writing Format

You will choose between 2 writing formats for each of your summaries:
1. Expository:
a. In this format you will explain the article you read.
b. Pro tip: think about who, what, where, when, and why for your article.
2. Persuasive:
a. In this format you will chose a stance about the article and persuade others to:
i. agree with the article or the viewpoint, or
ii. disagree with the article or the viewpoint, or
iii. call to action (vote for someone, donate to a charity, etc.…)

***You must do 6 expository and 6 persuasive summaries.***

Part 2: Topic Choice

There are certain topics you will be required to cover, but you can find any story related to that
topic. You have 10 assigned topics and 2 free choices, meaning you can write about any topic a
maximum of 3 times.

Politics Weathe Sports Entertainment Technology

Free Choice
(Republican) r
Politics Health World Global U.S.
Free Choice
(Democrat) Economics Economics

You will utilize credible websites to research your topics. Some recommended websites are Reuters, ABC
News, NPR, BBC, Politico, USA Today, ESPN, and Yahoo.

You will research the topic at the end of each class period and every student will present their research
the following day at the beginning of class. You must be prepared to share your research with the rest of
the class each day.
 Current Events Project
Use these boxes to keep track of your articles. I recommend you cross out each
format and topic after you use it.

Expository Expository Expository Expository Expository Expository

Persuasive Persuasive Persuasive Persuasive Persuasive Persuasive

Politics
Weather Sports Entertainmen Technology Free Choice
(Republican)
t
Politics Global U.S.
Health World Free Choice
(Democrat) Economics Economics

For each of your 12 essays, follow this rubric:

Rubric:
Appropriate Effort and length ____/10pts
Correct Format (Expository or Persuasive) ____/5pts
Appropriate Research Topic (Sports, etc.) ____/5pts

Total: _____/20pts