I. The Headline
Line on top of the story that gives central focus of article
Catches reader's attention
II. The Lead
The beginning of the article
The "hook" that tells the reader what the story is all about
Usually written in one sentence; no more than 35 words
Summarizes main points: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Ex.) A Northwestern University professor of hearing sciences was shot and seriously wounded in a university parking lot Thursday.
III. Body of story
Elaborates on 5 W's & H
Backup/nut graph: Second paragraph in article, right after lead; states central focus of article.
Ex.) A University of Florida law student suffering from amensia after mysteriously disappearing in July has recalled her abduction under hypnosis, authorities said.
Elizabeth "Libby" Morris, 32, slowly has regained memory of her life before her disappearance from the Oaks Mall parking lot but has never consciously remembered what occurred during the five days she was missing, said Lt. Spencer Mann, a spokesman with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
Written in small paragraphs (no more than 3 sentences each)
Contains transitions
Uses quotes, background information, and straight facts to elaborate on lead
INVERTED PYRAMID!
IV. End of article
Contains least important information
Could be a quote
Ex.) An article on the dangers of texting and driving might end with someone being quoted as saying, "This behavior has to stop."
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Brainstorming Sites
Long Island Press
Newsday (you can't get the full stories here, but you can browse the story previews to generate ideas)
Smithtown East Library Databases (Look under "Magazines/Newspapers/Periodicals")
Newsday (you can't get the full stories here, but you can browse the story previews to generate ideas)
Smithtown East Library Databases (Look under "Magazines/Newspapers/Periodicals")
Hard News
For the rest of the quarter, you will have a weekly assignment to complete on your blog. Once a week, you will be required to find and post the link to an article that catches your attention. It could be any type of news except for entertainment.
After posting this article to your blog, you must do the following:
1.) Summarize the main points of the article.
2.) Why is this article newsworthy?
3.) Do you spot any bias in this article? If so, where?
4.) If you were writing this article, what would you have done differently? Why?
You must write in complete sentences and answer thoughtfully; you have an entire week to do one post. Posts will be due on the Monday of each week. If you are not staying up to par with the requirements, I will comment on your entries to let you know.
Your first post is due this Monday, October 4th.
After posting this article to your blog, you must do the following:
1.) Summarize the main points of the article.
2.) Why is this article newsworthy?
3.) Do you spot any bias in this article? If so, where?
4.) If you were writing this article, what would you have done differently? Why?
You must write in complete sentences and answer thoughtfully; you have an entire week to do one post. Posts will be due on the Monday of each week. If you are not staying up to par with the requirements, I will comment on your entries to let you know.
Your first post is due this Monday, October 4th.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Types of News Project
Today, you will be researching one of five types of news that we will be exploring throughout this semester (you will be writing a satire piece as well, but we'll save that for later). With your group, you are going to find information about your assigned type of news and organize that information into a brief powerpoint presentation to share with the class tomorrow.
Your powerpoint should be structured as follows:
Slide #1: What are some characteristics of this news? Where might you find it in the newspaper? What type of people might read this news?
Slide #2: Two specific examples of this type of news (links to articles). Be prepared to share what it is about that article, specifically, that qualifies it as your category of news.
Slide #3: Works Cited slide (list of websites as to where you got all of your information)
The powerpoint itself should be created on one computer, but everyone should be participating in the process. I suggest having one person make the presentation, and the other 2 or 3 doing the research and telling the powerpoint person what to write.
Here are some helpful links for research depending on what type of news you were assigned. However, you are welcome to use other sites as well.
Hard News
Features
Editorials
Reviews
Sports
And something for all groups:
General
You will have the rest of today's class to start working on this, and about 15 minutes of tomorrow's class to finish it up. You will present tomorrow. Your group will be graded as follows:
Requirements met: 25 pts.
Effort: 15 pts.
Your individual class work/presentation: 10 pts.
Your powerpoint should be structured as follows:
Slide #1: What are some characteristics of this news? Where might you find it in the newspaper? What type of people might read this news?
Slide #2: Two specific examples of this type of news (links to articles). Be prepared to share what it is about that article, specifically, that qualifies it as your category of news.
Slide #3: Works Cited slide (list of websites as to where you got all of your information)
The powerpoint itself should be created on one computer, but everyone should be participating in the process. I suggest having one person make the presentation, and the other 2 or 3 doing the research and telling the powerpoint person what to write.
Here are some helpful links for research depending on what type of news you were assigned. However, you are welcome to use other sites as well.
Hard News
Features
Editorials
Reviews
Sports
And something for all groups:
General
You will have the rest of today's class to start working on this, and about 15 minutes of tomorrow's class to finish it up. You will present tomorrow. Your group will be graded as follows:
Requirements met: 25 pts.
Effort: 15 pts.
Your individual class work/presentation: 10 pts.
Friday, September 24, 2010
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