Mini-Project: The Importance of Courageous Reporting by Peter Gerard Connolly

Group A: Ida Tarbell and Standard Oil

Group B: Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and the Meatpacking Industry

Group C: Seymore Hersh and the My Lai Massacre and Cover-up

Group D: Woodward and Bernstein and the Watergate break-in

GOAL:

The goal of your presentation is to share your research and explain the role the journalist played in securing our democracy.

All members must contribute to the project, including speaking during the presentation.

You will post your project onto a Padlet. I will send you a link.

THE INTRODUCTION:

The group presentation must have a clear introduction that explains what your talk will be about.

“In October 1963, President John F. Kennedy was so furious with David Halberstam’s reporting from Saigon that he urged The New York Times, to transfer Halberstam out of Vietnam. Halberstram persisted and it had a profound effect on the country and set a high standard for American journalists that still resonates today.”

Your main points and thesis should be clear.

THE BODY OF THE PRESENTATION:

The supporting evidence for the thesis presented in your introduction must be clearly organized and carefully and explicitly (if briefly) explained.

Background on journalist
Background on event
Explain how the event played out
Reception by the public (Pros and Cons)
Effect it had on the field/society/public policy

Tell the audience why this story is important in American journalism and the influence it had on the American government and its citizens.

Assume that your audience is completely unfamiliar with your topic.

THE CONCLUSION:

Your group should reiterate the key points of your presentation.
Your group should discuss the effect this had on the field of journalism and more importantly on securing our democracy.
Your group should come up with a clear, structured ending.

VISUAL AIDS:

Do not forget that what is clear and simple to you will likely be complex and confusing to your audience; your audience may benefit from a visual aid.
Make sure all aids looked “expert.”

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