Newspaper

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/newspaper

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the historical precursors?Ancient Roman 'acta diurna' (public notices) and medieval newsletters
2. What is the key technological enablers?Movable type printing, steam-powered rotary presses, telegraphy, and digital publishing technologies
3. What is a newspaper and where did it start?A newspaper is a printed paper that shares stories from around the world. It began in Europe in the early 17th century after the invention of movable type by Gutenberg. It started as weekly news sheets and grew into daily papers.
4. Why are newspapers important for democracy?Newspapers act as the 'fourth estate', checking government and company power. They expose problems and help people discuss important topics. This keeps society informed and engaged.

Fourth Estate: A term for the press or journalism as a vital institution in a democratic society.
Investigative Journalism: A form of journalism where reporters deeply investigate a single topic of importance.
Media Convergence: The merging of traditional media with digital communication technologies.