History of Baseball Venn Diagram

Thesis

Similar, yet different

Informational Text Comparison

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The History of Baseball

Baseball: America's Pasttime

Key Supporting Ideas

Evidence

Multimodal Elements

Text Structure

Thesis

Key Supporting Ideas

Evidence

Multimodal Elements

Text Structure

These two text, while being very different in structure, communicate very similar messages. Both the article and the timeline convey the message that baseball has been extremely important in American history. The information in both pieces about how baseball has helped the country during times of intense tragedy, like war, and brought it together during times of social tension demonstrate how the sport is woven into the fabric of America. Where they differ is how they communicate this information. For example, "The History of Baseball" is a straightforward article that communicates purely through words and language. The timeline, on the other hand, communicates by allowing readers to see events in relation to each other and interact with the information by clicking on dates to find out more. Both are powerful pieces that are helpful to anyone who is remotely interested in baseball.

Baseball has a rich and varied story that began in the 18th century and is deeply and emotionally connected to many aspects of American history.

Baseball began to take root in the 18th century. Baseball has played a role in American History in unique ways. Its history runs deep in our veins.

This article is organized chronologically to help the reader easily see the beautiful history of baseball and how it has mirrored American history.

Baseball began to take root in the 18th century. Baseball is a combination of two English games called "Rounders" and "Cricket," both of which involved hitting balls with bats and running bases. The first major league team, the New York Knickerbockers, was founded in 1845. It is popular because everyone can play it - from kids on the playground all the way up to grown men using it as bonding experiences. Baseball has played a role in American History in unique ways. When Civil War soldiers needed a break, playing baseball was a welcome diversion. During WWII, the president urged baseball to continue because the people needed something good in their lives, thus the birth of the women's pro league. Historical events like Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier have forever changed the make-up of this country. As recently as 9/11/2001 and the Boston Marathon bombing, baseball was again a respite from the ugliness in the world. Its history runs deep in our veins. Dr. Gerald Early once said, "There are three things that America will be known for 2,000 years from now: the Constitution, jazz music, and baseball. They're the most beautifully designed things this culture's ever produced."

This is a traditional article, so it contains no multimodal elements to support it. Personally, I would like to have seen a visual timeline to help the readers keep the events straight in their heads.

The story of baseball mirrors the story of America, overlapping its history of war, peace, social tension, cultural changes, and everything in between.

Baseball began in its truest form in the mid-1800s. Baseball was a key player in helping to relieve tensions during many times of tension in the United States. Due to its deep emotional connections to this country's history, baseball became America's pasttime.

This is an interactive timeline. The readers can visualize the events in order because they are linearly displayed on a numeric timeline; they can also click on any event to see more information about that event, key players, and images.

Baseball began in its truest form in the mid-1800s. Abner Doubleday invented modern baseball in 1839, and the official rules followed in 1845. The New York Knickerbockers played the first official game in 1846, and the Cincinnati Red Stockings played for the first time in 1869. By 1900, both the National and American leagues had been created. Baseball was a key player in helping to relieve tensions during many times of tension in the United States. In 1907, before women could even vote, the first woman played professional baseball. The Negro league was a huge success in 1923, and the color barrier was eventually broken in 1947 by Jackie Robisnson. Baseball continued to be played through both WWI and II to give the country something to enjoy. Due to its deep emotional connections to this country's history, baseball became America's pasttime. Weeks after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, President Bush threw out the first ball in a World Series game in Yankee Stadium with millions watching.

Numeric timeline - makes it easy for readers to visualize events in comparison to others Interactivitiy - allows readers to click on each event to learn more specific information Images - allows readers to see what these people and places looked like