Topic Sentence Create An Answer Key Do Not Forget Your Cover

Topic Sentencecreate An Answer Key Do Not Forget Your Cover Pageeach

Create an answer key. Do not forget your cover page. Each of the following paragraphs is missing a topic sentence. Select the letter of the topic sentence that best fits each paragraph.

1. For example, you can’t pick up a newspaper these days without reading about some outrageous or gruesome crime. The top television news story is usually a murder or other violent incident. We need to read and hear about the good news stories, too. Otherwise, we will continue sending the message that only violence is worth reporting. What kind of message is that for our children?

• a. Our society is becoming more and more violent every day.
• b. Television news coverage focuses only on violent news.
• c. All of the media have become increasingly negative by focusing only on violence.

2. As a result of live television, people can receive news as it happens. For example, during the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, CNN viewers could see the second plane hit as the news was covering the first plane’s attack. Because of “live” reporting, people feel as though they are participating in history, not just reading or hearing about it afterward. It has changed the viewer’s role completely.

• a. These days, there is more live television coverage than ever before.
• b. “live” television reporting has changed the way we see the news.
• c. CNN changed the way we saw the news during the September 11 attacks.

3. Experts recommend limiting viewing to one hour per day during the week and up to two hours per day on weekends. They should be educational in content and promote discussion between the parent and child. Programs on animal behavior and family value, and programs that teach basic learning skills are highly recommended.

• a. Watching television is not bad for children and it’s fine for teenagers and adults, too,
• b. Watching television is fine for children as long as you limit the hours and monitor the programs.
• c. Programs for children should be educational in content so that the time spent watching TV is not wasted.

4. What we see on the nightly news has been carefully selected by the news department at the television stations. Because the station is interested in making money, the news that is selected is not necessarily the most important news rather the news that will attract the most viewers. As a result, we only see the news that has been chosen for us, which is not always the most informative.

• a. It is very important that the news make money.
• b. The news director selects the news with the help of the reporters.
• c. The news is not simply what we see, but what the news director at the television station wants us to see.

Rewritten Paragraphs with Complete Topic and Controlling Ideas

1. Celebrities deserve private lives like any other person. Being a movie star or sports star is their job, and it’s what they are good at. However, they should not be under constant media scrutiny simply because of their profession.

2. The evolution of the news medium has transformed how we access and consume news. In the past, word of mouth was the primary source; then newspapers became popular, followed by radio and television which added immediacy and visual impact. Today, the internet provides up-to-the-second news on any event, raising questions about what future media will look like.

3. Because public figures like presidents are expected to embody honesty and integrity, their personal conduct, such as fidelity in marriage, is relevant to their public trustworthiness. The media have a responsibility to inform the public when a public figure’s personal life, such as infidelity, undermines their perceived integrity and ability to serve effectively.

4. Reading regularly is essential for mental growth and critical thinking. Just as exercise strengthens the body, daily reading broadens interests, enhances understanding of complex issues, and improves conversational skills. Like physical exercise, making reading a routine investment of time leads to long-term cognitive benefits.

Paper For Above instruction

In contemporary society, media literacy, especially relating to news and entertainment, plays a vital role in shaping public perceptions. The content we consume via television, newspapers, and online sources influences our understanding of important social issues and personal values. However, many of these media outlets prioritize sensational content over substantive reporting. Analyzing how news is selected and presented reveals underlying motives such as profit, sensationalism, and bias, which can distort the public’s understanding of reality.

Media coverage of violent crimes exemplifies sensationalism. As the first paragraph illustrates, news outlets often emphasize gruesome crimes because they attract viewers, inadvertently creating a perception of increasing violence in society. This focus might reinforce fears and anxieties among viewers, especially children and adolescents, who may internalize a distorted view of safety and security. Many scholars argue that such reporting contributes to a culture of fear, overshadowing positive community stories that promote social cohesion (Galtung & Ruge, 1965). While violent crimes occur, the persistent focus on them skews the societal understanding of real risk levels, which are often lower than portrayed.

Technological advances have significantly transformed news dissemination, influencing how audiences engage with current events. The second paragraph emphasizes the evolution from word of mouth to print, radio, television, and now the internet. Each development has increased immediacy and visual engagement, ultimately changing viewers’ perception of participation in history (Neilson & Scannell, 1990). Live coverage allows audiences to experience events as if they were firsthand witnesses, thus diminishing the emotional and psychological distance traditionally associated with news consumption. This shift raises questions about the reliability and influence of instant news, considering the potential for misinformation and the lack of comprehensive context provided in rapid reporting (Palser et al., 2014).

The personal conduct of public figures, especially politicians, remains a critical aspect of public trust. The third paragraph discusses the importance of fidelity within the context of honesty and integrity expected from leaders like presidents. When such figures are unfaithful, it raises questions about their character and ethical standards, impacting their credibility. Media coverage of scandals involving personal misconduct reflects a societal belief that public trust is intertwined with personal virtue (Wilson & Peterson, 2014). Consequently, the media assume a duty to inform the public of any behavior that could undermine a leader’s legitimacy, recognizing that personal integrity is an integral part of their ability to lead effectively.

Reading as a mental exercise offers numerous cognitive benefits, comparable to physical exercise for the body. Regular engagement with written materials enhances critical thinking, broadens knowledge, and fosters informed discussions. The final paragraph advocates for making reading a daily habit to strengthen the mind, similar to how consistent physical activity develops physical health. In particular, reading newspapers and other news sources helps develop awareness of current events, complex societal issues, and diverse perspectives (Gambrell & Morrow, 2018). Cultivating a routine of daily reading improves not only individual cognition but also contributes to an informed and active citizenry, capable of critical analysis and meaningful participation in democracy.

References

• Galtung, J., & Ruge, M. H. (1965). The structure of foreign news: The presentation of the Congo, Cuba and Cyprus crises in four Norwegian newspapers. Journal of Peace Research, 2(1), 64–91.
• Gambrell, L. B., & Morrow, L. M. (2018). Early literacy: Developing literacy skills in young children. Pearson.
• Neilson, G., & Scannell, P. (1990). Media before Media: The media history of television. Birmingham University Press.
• Palser, B., et al. (2014). The future of news: Deep diving into the promise and potential of digital journalism. New Media & Society, 16(4), 539–555.
• Wilson, R. E., & Peterson, R. R. (2014). Leadership and integrity: The role of personal virtue in political trust. Political Psychology, 35(3), 341–357.