Cameron Krakowiak

Senior Project: CR #1

4/14/20

 

My essential question: “How do news journalists and sports journalists shape the stories they tell to a large audience? How do they approach storytelling- especially distinguishing hard news versus opinion such as that on a round table talk show or podcast discussion? ADD, (March 31st): How can I translate my critical thinking skills to the traits and tools of a quality journalist?”

 

What do I know? 

1. Explain what you already know about your essential question.

I know the fundamentals of my question about how journalists write to an audience and how to portray two sides to a story within journalism.  I know how I can apply that to my own podcasts, how to start podcasting to a wider audience by reporting news and interviewing journalists with relevant information.  I know how to distinguish hard news from opinion, however, it’s hard to identify that within a podcast forum in which I’m doing it. 

1. Explain why the topic is important to you, and what is motivating your inquiry.

I want to become a journalist or a broadcaster/correspondent if I’m able to interview journalists on a small High School Project maybe I can learn to do this for a living.   I just want to perfect something that I already have an interest in. 

1. What understandings and experiences are you bringing with you as you start this research process?

I’ve fallen in love with journalism and media as I frequently help my dad, who is a Director of Photography, on news shoots.  I’ve also watched my mom at ABC News for years. Being able to watch reporting firsthand has truly been a blessing. I have a real passion for sports writing and media as well.  I became editor of the LREI school newspaper at the end of 9th grade and continue to write about sports. I’ve traveled with my Dad for ESPN a lot recently to gain exposure even if it’s on the production side and not on the editorial side. 

1. How has the outside source (assignment from last week) informed your understanding of your essential question?

Well, a lot of what I’ve read from All The Presidents Men is that news has changed a lot.  However, a lot of the basic principles are still there and needed in news today. Walking door to door to get information and using primary sources are essential. 

What don’t I know?

1. Why is it important for you to find out more about this question. Tell what you want to know about your essential question?

For me to be able to perfect or get better at my final achievement of being a journalist, I need to get better at the fundamentals. 

1. What are the areas of inquiry that you think need to be explored?

I think I need to know how to use my voice better and form sentences easier in my brain.  I should stop using filler words and be able to better myself in journalism. I also have to become better at questioning. 

1. What are the other questions that are lurking just beneath the surface of your guiding essential question?

What are some of the steps to becoming a better journalist?