Paper 1: The Arkansas Gazette's coverage of the Little Rock Central Crisis

200 points, due by 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 15 — NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!

500 words (minimum), typed, double-spaced, turned in in class.

You must staple to your paper copies of the microfilm illustrating the issues you address.


Here is the assignment:

Analyze the Arkansas Gazette's coverage of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School during the 1957-58 school year. Look through issues starting September 1, 1957, paying particular attention to that week and to the week of September 25, 1957. Of course, you can look at other issues through May 1958, and I encourage you to do so. The more material you look at, the better your paper will be.

In your paper, compare the 1957-58 newspaper (media) and society with today's media and society. You might look for color or the lack of, size of type, size of columns, ad content and display, word choice, subject matter, size of headlines, separation of sections, etc. Don't just look at the front page; look all the way through and include your observations. 

Also answer these questions:

• — What role did photography play in this story?

• — Was the Arkansas Gazette objective in its news coverage of LRCHS? Note the difference between news and opinion sections. What was the Gazette's editorial position? How persuasive was it?

You should have an introductory paragraph (3-5 sentences) and then three paragraphs addressing a different topic of comparison (minimum of 5-7 sentences each). For example, one about the comparison of the Gazette in 1957 with today, another about the role of photography and a third about objectivity and the editorial section. Your concluding paragraph (3-5 sentences minimum) should sum up what you found and also include your personal observations. What did you like and dislike about the Gazette's coverage? What can today's media learn from it?

Come see me if you have any questions.