Story Ideas 10/23/10

Idea #1

Topic: DREAM Act

Story Idea: About the DREAM Act. Opinion on why the DREAM Act was rejected. Why was it rejected? Benefits and requirements of the Act. How the DREAM Act affects some students. What students should do in response to the rejection of the DREAM Act.

Sources: Mr. O' Brien and students who the DREAM Act directly affects.

Visual: statistics on number of undocumented students in the U.S., number of undocumented students and families living under poverty line (as opposed to the number of U.S. born children from other countries), how much money is earned when someone does or does not have a college diploma.

Sidebar: How can the DREAM Act benefit U.S. economy, universities, or military recruiting

Idea #2

Topic: Stereotypes

Story Idea: How do stereotypes form (social psychology)? What are the effects? Opinion on how people can deal with stereotypes. Why do people engage in stereotypes?

Sources: Students in the school that come from diverse backgrounds and religions.

Visual: Photo of diverse students in our school.

Sidebar: Statistics on the diverse backgrounds and religions of NYC and the U.S. in general

Idea #3

Topic: What it is to be "cute"

Story Idea: What do some students classify as "cute" or "pretty" or "handsome?" What do students classify as "ugly?" How can people's perceptions of what is beautiful and what is ugly have a negative effect on the people who aren't "cute?" How can people avoid these negative effects? Why do people say beauty is on the inside but spend hours trying to look their best for someone/no one? Why is it so good to be pretty?

Sources: Students in the school who look like they take time in their appearence (e.g., girls who spend time doing their hair and makeup) vs. students who don't look like they don't add much to their natural appearance.

Visual: editorial cartoon on "pretty" students vs. "ugly" students

Sidebar: How people's perception of beauty changes over time and what that says about "true beauty."