Though the Information Age has created many new forms of journalism, the Internet’s constant stream of information has led some to take advantage of audiences through the use of fake news practices. It’s important to remember that the term fake news doesn’t just refer to news that is made up. The use of half-truths, misleading or lacking evidence, sensational or “loaded” language, and extreme claims are all part of the same category of issues facing journalists (and audiences!) today.
The article below is an example of news with questionable qualities. Read through the complete article, which appeared in a local newspaper before a scheduled vote to get rid of recess for elementary school students. Then respond to the questions in complete sentences. Once finished, you can compare your own responses to our answers.
Wild Creatures Tear Apart Elementary School Campus
It’s 10:15. A small line of teachers wobbles nervously in a row just outside the school playground. Like something out of a zombie movie, the little monsters begin to flood out the side entrance of the school, ripping, clawing, and snarling. Hundreds of tiny, light-up sneakers stomp the gravel, the grass, feet, hands, and heads. If not for the sound—a kind of crazed, communal cry—you would assume these wild beasts were fleeing from extinction.
But no. It’s just recess.
Every morning, for the same 20 minutes, the calm and order established by your hard-working elementary school staff is shattered by a crazy and archaic tradition taking place on the outdoor basketball course, slides, and jungle gym. Students who—not 15 minutes earlier—replied with a courteous “Yes, ma’am,” now communicate with a sequence of grunts and squeals. An octopus of limbs screams and clambers for each monkey bar when they had just politely passed the paint in art class. Contraband like gum and Pokémon cards slip from the sleeves of the older kids amidst the chaos, setting the foundation for their future criminal behavior.
Those of you who are fighting the elimination of recess don’t see the damage it does to the rest of your students’ school days. Rivalries and brawls that take place on the gravel make it impossible for these wildlings to focus on their multiplication tables. Monkeys that thrash violently on the swings keep on kicking, even once they’re back in their chairs. One young girl who emerged from this morning’s madness with a black eye could hardly see through her own tears to read her poem to the class.
The experts side with us: recess hurts learning and hurts kids— quite literally! Do your kids’ teachers a favor and eliminate recess. Down with the concrete jungle (gym)!
Would the headline of the article be considered an example of sensationalized news? Why or why not?
What type of loaded or strongly connotative language does the author use most often?
Does the loaded or strongly connotative language help the author achieve her purpose? Why or why not?
What evidence does the article include in support of its claim?
What types of evidence would help support the author’s claim, if it were added to the article?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
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Yes—the language is dramatic, and it also misrepresents the truth of what occurred. The “wild creatures” are in fact elementary-school students, and the tearing apart probably refers to regular wear and tear of the playground. |
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Much of the most strongly connotative language in the article is meant to show the uncontrolled and violent nature of the elementary school kids as they play. Words like tear apart, ripping, clawing, snarling, crazed, wild, beasts, shattered, screams, clambers, chaos, brawls, and thrash all paint a biased, vicious picture. |
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The language constructs an image of the schoolchildren as a pack of relentless, chaotic animals who are a potential danger to themselves and their teachers. The sensational language would help appeal to an audience’s emotions, particularly fear. To a more media literate reader, however, the loaded language may present too strong and emotional of a bias to create the impression that the news is accurate. |
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Though the article seems to come from the firsthand account of a teacher at the elementary school, there is no author listed and no way of figuring out whether the writer’s accounts are true. She cites “experts” who agree, but does not link or reference any studies or other articles. Lastly, her evidence seems very one-sided, never acknowledging the perspective of the other side. |
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The last paragraph suggests that recess “hurts learning” and “hurts kids,” and adding research or data to back that up would help. An acknowledgement of the opposing side would also help her article be far more credible. |
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