Cities are different, and so are newspapers. Good newspapers strive to serve the needs and interests of their readers. Corporate ownership can lead to homogenization, but newspapers still tend to reflect the personalities of their cities. Or, at least, they strive to reflect their editors’ perception of their cities’ character.

These perceptions are reflected in, among other things, the look of the newspaper and in decisions of what stories to cover.

Your homework assignment is to analyze three of the front pages in this gallery of newspaper front pages. The pages are all from Thursday, Feb. 2.

Choose any three newspapers (except the Chicago Daily News – I posted it merely as an example of what a magaziney tabloid looks like).

Compare the stories. Compare how the stories are played – do all three papers lead with the same story or are the lead stories all different? Are most stories staff written or are they wire reports? Is the front page dominated by local, national or international stories?

Some newspapers, such as the New York Times, are somber and serious. This is because the readership is highly educated and cares about world affairs and social issues.

Some newspapers want to be your friend. They use bright colors. The pages are airy, with fewer stories and lots of white space. Stories are written in a familiar, more casual style.

Tell me what elements, either in the look or the writing, communicates the paper’s personality.

You can’t read the stories on these front page reproductions, but you are free to go beyond the minimum requirements of the assignment. Call up stories online and compare writing styles, if you like. (Just be sure to compare only stories that appear on the front pages in the gallery I posted.)

If you wonder why one paper played Don Cornelius’ death on the front page while others didn’t, you are free to read up on Cornelius to see if he has a connection to the city that might account for this.

If you wonder why one story on the Los Angeles Times’ front is labeled “Column One” and has orange accents, you are free to research it.

As you can see, there is lots of leeway. What’s important is that you carefully examine these pages, think about them and consider why they look and feel the way they do.

The assignment is due by 9 a.m. Wednesday. It would be smart to at least think about the assignment over the weekend. Monday would be a good time to ask questions and seek clarification.

Your essay must be a minimum of 500 words. This is one of the four assignments this semester that, together, comprise 60 percent of your grade. Don’t blow it off. Don’t wait until the last minute to knock it out.

Please don’t pad your writing. If you find yourself struggling to reach 500 words, it means you’re not looking at the pages and thinking about them hard enough. Each sentence should say something important.

Pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation. I will deduct points for sloppy writing and bad presentation.

Good luck.