Final answer:
To understand election periods, students can review public opinion polls which impact media coverage and campaign information that includes strategies and targeting of potential voters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand election periods, students can turn to two key resources: public opinion polls and campaign information. Public opinion polls play a crucial role before and during elections, showing how people feel about issues and projecting potential winners. These polls often shape media coverage by highlighting which candidates are leading in the race, making them subject to more interviews and media scrutiny. Campaign information, on the other hand, is disseminated by the candidates, parties, and their campaigns to persuade voters. This includes a variety of strategies to target potential supporters, especially those who are most likely to vote based on influence factors such as age, education, and income. Campaigns must also adapt funding and messaging to the ever-changing landscape of voter demographics and preferences. Lastly, understanding the effects of incumbency and how congressional elections can become nationalized is important for grasping the full picture of election periods.