This assignment asks students to select a short story and a recent work of journalism that is connected to the themes or issues presented in the story, and to compose an assignment that discusses and interprets the connections between the two texts.

First, you will select one of the following short stories: “The Lottery” by
Shirley Jackson, “Rocket Night” by Alexander Weinstein, “Harrison
Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
by Ursula K. LeGuin, “Escape from Spiderhead” by George Saunders.
Next, you will conduct online research to find a recent work of journalism (a
news article, an op-ed, or an opinion piece) that is connected, in some way, to
the issues the story brings up for readers. The work you settle on should be
credible and from an established media source. In other words, it can
certainly be left- or right-leaning, politically, in its content, but cannot be
obvious misinformation or based on conspiracy theories.
For example, if you chose to write about “The Ones Who Walk Away from
Omelas,” you might locate a news piece on income inequality in a particular
country or region. Or you might find something about utilitarianism in
politics or economics.
Finally, you will compose an assignment that uses the work of journalism to
talk about and interpret the short story.
Your assignment will clearly introduce and summarize both the short story and the
article. Assume you are writing for a general audience that has read neither
one. Your assignment will also clearly explain the connections you see between the
two texts, using quotes from or paraphrasing of both.