Here are your goals for this assignment: Analyze the use of statistics in newspaper ads
Analyze and evaluate a newspaper's use of space for various purposes

Statistics. Clip ten ads from newspapers and magazines that use statistics to sell a product.

1. Mount each ad on a piece of paper.
2. Write an analysis of the use (or misuse) of statistics by the copywriter.
3. Draw a conclusion for each one as to whether the statistics were used fairly.

Show the completed work to your teacher.

The Content of Newspapers. Make a chart that shows the number of column inches (a column inch equals the width of a single newspaper column by one inch deep) the paper devotes to each type of material listed below. Be aware that some papers have special sections one day a week to cover religious news, entertainment, or other special-interest material. They may also include extra sections weekly or occasionally for local sports or business in addition to the daily sports and business sections.

a. local news
b. national and international news
c. editorial opinion
d. religious news
e. sports
f. entertainment (art, music, movies, books, etc.)
g. features (comics, syndicated columns, recipes, etc.)
h. society news and gossip
i. filler material
j. advertising

Do you think the balance is a fair one? Write a paragraph about your findings and what you think should be changed.

Remember to document your newspaper source properly, using MLA format. Click here to review the MLA Style Guide.