Current events are news stories that have happened recently or will happen soon. In your journal, you will write a summary of one such story each week. Your goal is to learn how to read, think about, and write about these events in the broader context of U.S. History and to develop your research, writing, and editing skills.
When choosing a news article, be sure that it is from a reputable source. Avoid blogs and other personal websites, since these are often influenced by biases or opinions. The best news articles are those from a major newspaper or website. Acceptable newspapers include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other national papers. Do not use local or free morning newspapers handed out on subway trains as these are not considered a good source.
Associated Press (AP) style is the standard for most news writing. This style is easy to read and is used in many publications. Using this style will help your readers understand the topic and will also make your paper look more professional. You should also follow general grammar rules. For example, spell out numbers 1 through 9. You should also use proper capitalization and punctuation.
Magazines are another source of information about current events. They provide interviews, opinions, facts and descriptions, and analysis. A few examples are The Advocate, The Economist, and Time. To find magazines on the topics you are interested in, go to the Find Current Magazine Articles page.