The 10-Minute Press Conference
By Linda Donald Harris

Overview

Public speaking, research, analytical and organizational skills, and imagination are all tested in this historical role playing activity that includes the entire class at every stage.  After a brief, teacher-led discussion of press conferences, students will view a variety of these while taking guided notes.  After the student has received the assignment sheet, he or she will select an individual to portray at the press conference.  The student will research that individual's background, paying particular attention to the special event or situation that resulted in the "press conference."   The student will then field questions from the "classmate journalists" who have taken notes during the press conference. This lesson may be used with students of varying ability levels in grades 8 through 12.

Objectives

Students will:

  • Compare and contrast press conferences that are aimed at individuals from other groups (entertainment, sports, etc.) and press conferences held in the political arena.
  • Research one particular event in regard to his or her subject and become the "expert" on that topic.
  • Explain the actions taken by his or her subject by responding to student-generated questions.
  • Write and ask questions of all other presenters.

Time required

One class period will be needed to introduce the lesson, view  press conferences, and discuss.  Additional time will be needed depending on the number of students who will be giving press conferences.  At the conclusion of all press conferences, a short quiz will be given.

Materials

Initial Motivation

Show videotapes of one press conference dealing with an individual in politics and one dealing with someone in another field such as sports or entertainment.

Procedures

1.  Introduction

  1. Teacher will need to tape several press conferences to show students.
  2. Teacher will give students a "Guided Notes" (handout #1).
  3. Teacher and students will go over questions to answer as students watch the press conferences.
  4. Show students a political press conference while they take notes.
  5. Show students a sports/entertainment press conference while they take notes.
  6. Class discussion based on guided note questions.  While no consensus need be reached, students should demonstrate a basic understanding of the dynamic of a press conference.
  7. Teacher will hand out assignment sheet (handout #2) and explain.
  8. Students select subject and topic.  While 20 topics are suggested, additional topics could easily be created.  Teachers can create press conferences by individuals on different sides of the same issue to be presented on the same day, or by individuals involved in the same issue at different times in history.

2.  Oral Presentations

  1. Student gives a 5 minute statement followed by 5 minutes of questions and answers.
  2. Students acting as journalists will take notes and ask questions.
  3. Students may use these notes during concluding quiz.

3.  Additional Activities

  1. Video tape press conferences.
  2. Write newspaper articles based on press conferences.
  3. Prepare cover and cover story for news magazine format.

Assessment

  • Teacher will assess the oral presentations based on historical accuracy, content, and the student's role-playing.
  • Quiz prepared by teacher based on press conference material

Additional Resources

As a complement to this lesson, students might watch a political debate and compare and contrast the two types of media coverage

Interdisciplinary Connections

 Aside from the obvious connections to Speech, Drama, Video, Journalism courses, press conferences could be assigned to characters in literature commenting on events of their times.  The Great Gatsby, Hiroshima, Deerslayer, Uncle Tom's Cabin, All Quiet on the Western Front, A Man Without A Country, and so many others lend themselves to this type of interdisciplinary format.

Linda Donald Harris teaches AP U.S. History, American Government and Law at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California.

Handout #1

GUIDED NOTES

As you watch the press conferences, think about the following questions:

1.  For what reason has the press conference been called?

2.  Describe the physical environment as well as the appearance of the individuals speaking

3.  How many questions were asked?

4.  What was the nature of those questions?

5.  Describe the appearance of the subject of the press conference

6. Is there someone presiding over the press conference?

7.  How are the interviewers selected?

8.  What difference, if any, do you see in the two press conferences?  Why do you think  there are these differences?

9.  In your opinion, what are the best questions?  Why?

10.  What question(s) would you have asked?

Handout #2

THE 10-MINUTE PRESS CONFERENCE

 After viewing a number of recorded press conferences, we will identify the characteristics of such events.  Following a discussion of the format of the program, the location, the physical environment, the appearance of the interviewers and interviewee(s), the manner of speaking, and the type of questions asked, you will be asked to select a president, vice-president, or first lady that you will portray at a future press conference to be held at ___________ High School.  Your classmates will act as the reporters and journalists who will be posing questions after you have completed your prepared statement.  Since you will not know what questions will be asked of you, you must be well versed in the background and life of the individual you are portraying.

In addition to selecting the individual, you will select a specific time period or event that played an important role in the life of your individual.   You will present your information in a statement to the press.  You will be allowed to have five (5) 3X5" cards with you for the presentation.  Speaking from the podium, you will become that person and present key ideas, reactions and even emotions when questioned by the "press."   You should plan to dress and speak in the appropriate manner of your individual.  After your presentation, the "press" will ask you questions that may or may not pertain to the topic you presented.

The following is a sampling of possibilities from which you might choose:  (You are not limited to this list)

Andrew Jackson after the Battle of New Orleans
Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House
Thomas Jefferson at the time of the Louisiana Purchase
Abraham Lincoln the day he announced the Emancipation Proclamation
George Washington at Valley Forge
Abigail Adams after her first year in the official president's residence
Teddy Roosevelt as a Rough Rider in the Spanish-American War
Mary Todd Lincoln one year after Lincoln's assassination
Harriet Beecher Stowe after meeting Lincoln
Franklin Roosevelt the day after his Quarantine Speech
Jimmy Carter on the eve of the attempted rescue of hostages in Iran
Aaron Burr after killing Hamilton in a duel
Andrew Jackson reacting to the "Eaten Malaria"
William Henry Harrison upon the birth of his tenth child
Eleanor Roosevelt after announcing her departure from the DAR
James Buchanan on the Ostend Manifesto
Dwight D. Eisenhower learning of the Soviet's Sputnik I
Harry S Truman after the first atom bomb has been dropped on Hiroshima
Franklin Roosevelt and the order to intern Japanese Americans on the west coast
Lyndon Johnson immediately after the assassination of President John Kennedy

THESE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE GIVEN BEGINNING ON  ______.  NO WRITTEN WORK WILL BE SUBMITTED.  YOUR GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED BY YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION ONLY.