Journalism Today

Chapter 8: Handling Quotes Fairly and Accurately

Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
Reproducing accurately what people say is a basic journalistic function. In this activity students will read "Delusions of Accuracy" by Ariel Hart, which may help to explain the statement: "100-percent accuracy is a goal, a place to start." Then students will answer questions related to the article.

Lesson Description
In this activity students will explore the ideal of accuracy in journalistic writing.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to recall the content of the article.


2. Students will be able to form their own opinion regarding mistakes in journalism.


3. Students will be able to evaluate the credibility of a piece of journalism and its author.


4. Students will be more comfortable fixing errors in their own work.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Possible answer: According to the author, journalists make mistakes in every piece they write.


2. Answer: The author does not give the name of the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who wrote the most mistake-ridden article he has ever checked. He does, however, cite the author of the most accurate article that he has ever checked: Jeffrey S. Klein, a former Los Angeles Times lawyer.


3. Possible answer: Yes. The author states that he has three years' experience as a freelance fact checker at the Columbia Journalism Review ; therefore he is aware of the number of mistakes made by journalists at that publication. While, according to his article, his experience is limited, he quotes a senior editor from The Atlantic Monthly and an interview on WNYC radio to back up that limited experience.


4. Possible answer: Student answers will vary.

GO TO STUDENT ACTIVITY