Pop Culture Presentation

Task: Students will be divided into five groups. Each group will be given a decade in which to examine in respect to pop culture (1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s). The presentation will be conducted using the smartboard and will aim to highlight the popular interests of the people of the decade.

The Pop Culture Examination will include:

-Music -What was popular? What different styles existed? Sales?
-Movies –What films were people watching? Award winners? Technology in film?
-Television -Popular shows? Characters?
-Inventions -Important products/gadgets?
-Toys/Hobbies -Children’s toys? Sports?


Students may wish to divide the workload amongst each other (i.e. one person gets music, one gets television). The presentation should also include visuals and examples to support what the group verbally presents. For example if the group is talking about music of the decade they should give an audio example to support their findings.

Students are expected to go beyond just naming what was popular at the time. They should examine why these things represent the pop culture of the times, and what influence they had over a generation. Examine ratings, awards, sales, etc. The assignment is marked heavily on content.

Students should end the presentation with a works cited page noting the sources of their research.

The presentation will be at least 30 minutes in length and will be expected to include examples, visuals, audio, etc. It will be marked out of 40.

Presentations will take place on December 10th, 11th, 14th, and 15th.

Editorial Assignment

Editorial Assignment

Part A:

Looking at online newspapers choose three editorials on various topics. For each editorial answer the following:

a) What is the topic of the editorial? (Also state the title and the newspaper)
b) What information does the author use to back up their argument?
c) Do you agree with the author? Why or why not?

Two marks per question. Total /18


Part B:

Now that you have become experts on editorials it is time to write your own. Your task is to choose a problem at Cobourg West and take a side of the argument. Your editorial will need to:
-give a brief introduction to the problem.
-clearly state your opinion.
-use facts or expert opinion.
-find other students to back you up and use quotes from them.

Your editorial is expected to be 300 words in length.

This task will be marked out of 20.

Content /10 -follows editorial format.
-includes all the necessary components.

Style/Mechanics /10 -is proofread.
-free from grammar/spelling mistakes.

Both Parts A and B are due on Thursday November 19th

Online News Assignment Part C

Online News Assignment Part C

Choose a popular news story in the press today. Examine how this news story is presented in three different newspapers. The three newspapers that you choose should be from different cities or even countries. Answer the following:

1) In a few sentences describe the event being covered. What are the 5 w's of this event.


2) What are the three different headlines used for this story? Which one do you believe is most effective


3) What experts/witnesses do the articles interview/reference? Do they use any of the same sources?


4) What are the major similarities and differences between the three articles?


5) After reading these three articles are all questions answered about this event? What do we not yet know?

Online News Assignment

Part A: Examine the websites of three different major newspapers and answer the following for each. (Consider the following newspapers: The New York Times, The Toronto Sun, The Globe and Mail, The Washington Post, LA Times, The Toronto Star)

1) How does the website use advertising? (pop-ups, banners, etc.) What are they advertising? Is the advertising distracting/intrusive?

2) Does the newspaper use fear-inducing headlines/topics to get readership? Comment on the stories being presented by the newspaper. Is there a common theme? Which newspaper do you think aims to scare readers more?

3) Which of your chosen newspaper websites do you find to the best? Why? Which one do you find to be the worst? Why?


Part B: Using Google News Search complete the following.

1) Choose two subjects to search. What are the first three headlines that appear?

2) Google News Search “Cobourg” and search through the news stories for one that catches your attention. Summarize the story in a brief paragraph (5 w’s).