Investigative journalism involves researching and reporting a story that someone is trying to hide from the public. Writers often investigate and report information to create change in the world. Investigative reporters are behind many of the changes that we see today in our society due to their reporting the "truth".
The Internet, for example, is full of citizen writers or reporters who take it upon themselves to write about the "truth"--usually something that a company or institution is trying to hide. For a few examples please look here. These are investigative reporters who have won or were finalists for Pulitzer Prizes.
To be a good investigative reporter, a writer needs to conduct research, gain knowledge from interviews or articles on-line or in print, investigate an issue, and observe. Sometimes writers also have to risk their lives to get the story. Good investigative and research skills, determination, and a keen sense of skepticism are important qualities to have if you want to be an investigative reporter. It also helps to know the law and have a social conscience. That is, you should care about people and our society.
Lab Task: Research one of the journalists from the link above (either finalists or prize winners). Select a journalist and sign up on the sign up sheet. Indicate who you chose and who the reporter is. If your selection has already been taken, please select another.
In your research (from the site and also from the internet) find out who the writer/journalist is/was, what year they won their Pulitzer and find out why. You may wish to dive into your research by checking other sources or internet sites about the author(s). Take notes that you can share with classmates next class. Please take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete this task.
Chew On This is a type of investigative journalism. It's novel length, but includes a lot of research and fact finding. Its purpose is to report information to the public in an entertaining way--a task many authors try to accomplish.
In small groups please retire next door in small groups of 4-5 and discuss how far the members of your group have read in the book so far (see the handout sheet). Answer the questions together and turn in for participation credit.
HOMEWORK: Continue reading Chew On This. Continue to examine how the author uses facts, historical information, reports, interviews, photographs, etc. to report "the truth" about the fast-food industry. Consider who the audience for this book is exactly, and why it may have been published. Why does the media want us to see this message now?
The Internet, for example, is full of citizen writers or reporters who take it upon themselves to write about the "truth"--usually something that a company or institution is trying to hide. For a few examples please look here. These are investigative reporters who have won or were finalists for Pulitzer Prizes.
To be a good investigative reporter, a writer needs to conduct research, gain knowledge from interviews or articles on-line or in print, investigate an issue, and observe. Sometimes writers also have to risk their lives to get the story. Good investigative and research skills, determination, and a keen sense of skepticism are important qualities to have if you want to be an investigative reporter. It also helps to know the law and have a social conscience. That is, you should care about people and our society.
Lab Task: Research one of the journalists from the link above (either finalists or prize winners). Select a journalist and sign up on the sign up sheet. Indicate who you chose and who the reporter is. If your selection has already been taken, please select another.
In your research (from the site and also from the internet) find out who the writer/journalist is/was, what year they won their Pulitzer and find out why. You may wish to dive into your research by checking other sources or internet sites about the author(s). Take notes that you can share with classmates next class. Please take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete this task.
Chew On This is a type of investigative journalism. It's novel length, but includes a lot of research and fact finding. Its purpose is to report information to the public in an entertaining way--a task many authors try to accomplish.
In small groups please retire next door in small groups of 4-5 and discuss how far the members of your group have read in the book so far (see the handout sheet). Answer the questions together and turn in for participation credit.
HOMEWORK: Continue reading Chew On This. Continue to examine how the author uses facts, historical information, reports, interviews, photographs, etc. to report "the truth" about the fast-food industry. Consider who the audience for this book is exactly, and why it may have been published. Why does the media want us to see this message now?
