Here's that paper assignment

Here's your topic:

First, broadly compare the data we collected to the data compiled by Pew about where people get their news.   What do these trends suggest about the audience you'll be seeking to reach in your own work as a journalist:  Who are they?  What defines them? (Age? Race? Income? Education? Gender? Political beliefs? Cultural or athletic interests?) What counts as "credible" and/or "satisfying" to that group?  What are the signs that something is not credible to that group?

Next, choose an example-- a single story or clip of any kind, first published Sept 17, 18, 19, or 20-- that you think typifies the best of what you (a) like to read/watch/hear and/or (b) would like to do yourself.

Then, pick a single thing -- a shot, a quote, a moment-- from within that piece-- that exemplifies the strategy behind it:  who it's for (age, demographics, attitudes, etc.), what it offers them, what makes it stand out.

And then find a second piece that treats the same subject in a different way-- as different ad  (Example: a New York Times story on a speech by President Obama vs. a clip from Glenn Beck.  Describe the audience you think the second piece is addressing. What does it offer that audience?  Again choose an image, a quote, or a moment or a turn of phrase that you think is an especially clear example of what this clip is offering that audience. Describe what makes it effective for them AND describe it's effect on you.

So, your structure is as follows:

1.  Identify the single most interesting comparison between a data point (or points) that we generated and a data point from the Pew study, and describe how the two relate to each other. This is your point of entry.

2.  Analyze the first piece of content you selected-- the one that appeals to you.  First, describe it-- what's the medium, when was it published/broadcast/posted, who made it (both corporate identity-- ABC News-- and individual identity-- like George Stepanopolous), what the headline or lead was, who the sources were, what the angle was.  And what the style is (photo essay?  blog post?  straight news story? interview?  game report?).  Then pick out a single element-- a sentence, a quote, a question, an image-- that you think is especially effective.  (There may be more than one. That's OK. Just pick one of them.)  Describe it in enough detail that your reader can picture it clearly-- feel free to include a link, or to post the picture, or whatever-- and explain what it does:  What's it's function?  What is it accomplishing?  What does it make you think or feel or both?   And finally: What does it say about YOU that you respond to it?  Describe what makes you different from someone who wouldn't respond to it in the same way.

3.  Now, do the same analysis for the second piece of media-- the one that treats the same subject in a completely different manner (and that probably doesn't appeal to you as much).  Describe in detail.  Pick an element and analyze what it does.  Explain who the target audience is and why this story is effective for them.

4.  Write a conclusion that puts together at least some of the pieces you've explored:  your analysis of data from our study and from Pew's; your analysis of a piece of content for which you are the target audience; and your analysis of a piece of content for which you are not the target audience.  What sticks with you?  What seems significant?  Taken together, what do these pieces of analysis suggest?  What questions do they raise?