Vietnam: Search for the Truth

1954–1975

The shock of the Tet Offensive, the revelation of the My Lai massacre, and Walter Cronkite’s sober assessment that the war couldn’t be won gradually changed many people’s minds about America’s involvement. How did journalism help to tell the story of what was happening in Vietnam?

Create Your Own Story

In this final activity, you will have the opportunity to create your own front-page news story in response to the role journalism played during the Vietnam War.

Directions:

  1. Choose one of the images from the carousel to use in response to the following question: How did journalism help tell the story of the Vietnam War?
  2. Read two or three articles online about your topic (using reliable news sources that you have used in class or your teacher recommends) that will support your argument.
  3. Write a short summary in response to the question based on your research and other ideas you have learned about in this case study.
  4. Don’t forget to tie your argument back to the image from the carousel—be creative!

As you write your article, keep the following in mind:

  1. Length: 2–3 paragraphs.
  2. Include basic facts (who, what, where, when, why, how).
  3. Tie your piece back to a specific idea from one of the images provided in the carousel below.
  4. Decide which news format you would like to use, newspaper or website.
  5. Give your article a title and add a headline (a good headline catches the reader’s attention in some way).


Please select your media type.

Volume IIV
November 22, 2024
Issue 001

Your Title

Select Image

Your Subheading

Your Copy

Journalism Matters is part of the Teaching with Primary Sources Partner Program.
Supported by a grant from the Library of Congress