Please turn in your homework (the Teen Huffington Post assignment)!
(Teen Huffington Post
Task #1: 300-400 word article #2
(Teen Huffington Post
Using the link above, read and surf this site for ideas for our own News Blog Site for SOTA Students. Choose 1 article from this site to review. In a paragraph or two explain: a). summarize the article (include title and author), b). what is the journalist function of the article? and c). what is your opinion of the article?)
Task #1: 300-400 word article #2
Write an article that you feel would appeal to the readers of a school newspaper. Research one of the the following topics or brainstorm a topic of your own to write about. Use the links below to help you research, compile notes/sources, and write an article of 300-400 words that serves as one of the functions of journalism. Keep ethics and the news template in mind as you write!:
- New school district policies: Code of Conduct
- State of Our Schools (district)
- The 2014-2018 Action Plan (district)
- School Supplies & Supply Lists
- School Transportation/Buses
- ParentConnect Program
- Special Education Services for the District
- RTA Files Grievance against Cynthia Elliot
- NYSED Ed Meeting
- NYSED Take Action Against Testing
- The District Budget
- Renovations in the district
- SOTA performance schedule/news
- Flu Clinic at SOTA (see left side of menu)
- The 2015-2016 SOTA Student/Faculty Handbook
- SOTA Culture/Climate Plan (see left side of menu)
- Seniors Going to Camp Cory (see me)
- SOTA Athletics
- New SOTA Staff (see me)
- Teen Health Issues/Topics
- More Teen Health Issues/Topics
- Teen Entertainment Ideas/Articles
- Food/Nutrition
- Technology in the Classroom
- Rate My Teacher.Com
- Local News (NBC), (ABC), (Fox)
- World News: Democracy Now!; CNN; BBC
Turn in your article by end of class! Note: please use single-space and two columns for your article. You may also fully justify your text. (full justify as opposed to left justify)
If you finish early, please feel free to gain extra credit by writing a 3rd article on another topic (or use the NY Times list)
If you finish early, please feel free to gain extra credit by writing a 3rd article on another topic (or use the NY Times list)
Task #2: Read the instructions/details below. Examine 3 news journalism articles from any of these sites. For each article, identify the kind of lead used. Turn in your assessment by end of class today. Make sure you indicate what article you read and who the author was.
Site One: The Washington Post
Site Two: The San Francisco Globe
Site Three: (your choice--find a news article on the web and review 1 article)
Site One: The Washington Post
Site Two: The San Francisco Globe
Site Three: (your choice--find a news article on the web and review 1 article)
EQ: What is a lead and how to write it?
ACTIVITIES: Writing leads exercise
Work on newspaper articles for October newspaper
MINI-LESSON:
Writing leads:
WHY LEADS ARE VITAL: Don Frey, noted writing teacher, puts it well: The lead to a story "grabs the reader, informs the reader, and teaches the reader how to read the rest of the story." Author John McPhee says the lead is the "flashlight that shines into a story." One other key point: A newspaper reader is likely to spend only a few seconds deciding whether to read a story. If the lead does not grab the reader, the writer's work is in vain.
TYPES OF LEADS: There are two types of leads: direct (hard) and indirect (soft).
Generally, use the direct lead for news stories, and the indirect lead for features. However, this is only a guideline. Whatever the form, the reader is looking for news; don't delay it long.
There are other kinds of leads:
They all have their places, but use these hooks/openers sparingly.
Article Advice:
START EARLY: While covering an event or interviewing a person, think about what is important. Strive to focus a story as your report it. Circle key elements in your notebook. As you return to the office, talk to yourself about the story and block out a lead in your mind.
SWEAT IT: Rewrite the lead until it's right, or at least the best that you can produce on deadline. Hang loose. Play with the words and the ideas. You can always rely on the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why), but can you be more imaginative?
BE HONEST: You want to hook the reader, but don't hype the lead, promising more than you deliver. "The lead is a contract with the reader," says Don Murray, a writing coach. "The story must document the lead."
KEEP IT TIGHT: Short leads are more likely to snag a reader. If your lead is over 35 words, it probably is too long. Review the lead. Are you packing too much into it?
WHEN STUCK: Sometimes, the lead refuses to be born. Don't panic. Try some of these tricks:
• Review the basics. What, in simple, ABC terms, is the story about? What is the main news angle? If you were telling the story to a friend, how would you start it?
• Write an imperfect lead, give the piece a sense of direction, and repair the lead later. This ploy can work well.
ACTIVITIES: Writing leads exercise
Work on newspaper articles for October newspaper
MINI-LESSON:
Writing leads:
WHY LEADS ARE VITAL: Don Frey, noted writing teacher, puts it well: The lead to a story "grabs the reader, informs the reader, and teaches the reader how to read the rest of the story." Author John McPhee says the lead is the "flashlight that shines into a story." One other key point: A newspaper reader is likely to spend only a few seconds deciding whether to read a story. If the lead does not grab the reader, the writer's work is in vain.
TYPES OF LEADS: There are two types of leads: direct (hard) and indirect (soft).
Generally, use the direct lead for news stories, and the indirect lead for features. However, this is only a guideline. Whatever the form, the reader is looking for news; don't delay it long.
There are other kinds of leads:
- the question,
- the quote,
- the one-word,
- the anecdote (made popular by the Wall Street Journal)
They all have their places, but use these hooks/openers sparingly.
Article Advice:
START EARLY: While covering an event or interviewing a person, think about what is important. Strive to focus a story as your report it. Circle key elements in your notebook. As you return to the office, talk to yourself about the story and block out a lead in your mind.
SWEAT IT: Rewrite the lead until it's right, or at least the best that you can produce on deadline. Hang loose. Play with the words and the ideas. You can always rely on the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why), but can you be more imaginative?
BE HONEST: You want to hook the reader, but don't hype the lead, promising more than you deliver. "The lead is a contract with the reader," says Don Murray, a writing coach. "The story must document the lead."
KEEP IT TIGHT: Short leads are more likely to snag a reader. If your lead is over 35 words, it probably is too long. Review the lead. Are you packing too much into it?
WHEN STUCK: Sometimes, the lead refuses to be born. Don't panic. Try some of these tricks:
• Review the basics. What, in simple, ABC terms, is the story about? What is the main news angle? If you were telling the story to a friend, how would you start it?
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