Journalism Articles (300-400 word)

Please watch, read, and listen to PBS's multi-media news about recently deceased journalist, Gwen Ifill.

Review from last lesson:

• Introduction (1st paragraph) 3 sentences (your hook, your lead-in, and your thesis). 
• 2nd paragraph (3 sentences): a hook (topic sentence), an example, and a concluding statement summing up sentence 1 & 2. This should connect somehow to your introduction.
• 3rd paragraph (3-4 sentences): 3-4 sentences connected to the 2nd paragraph to further discussion of the topic/thesis of the article. This might be a good place to put your facts, details, etc.
• 4th paragraph (2 sentences): concluding statement & last, but not least, a restatement of your claim (thesis) and perhaps a reason we should care. 

Task #1: after reviewing the form of the 300 word article, please read the following journalism articles:
Writing Tips for News Stories (Scholastic)
Note how these articles stack up:

• Researchers Stumble Upon a Treasure Trove in Black Sea by Kim Bussing
• Florida's Stand Your Ground Law Linked to Increase in Homicides, Study Finds by Emma Margolin
• White Nationalists See Advocate in Steve Bannon by Andrew Kaczynski & Chris Massie
• Lawmakers to Facebook: Don't Let Advertisers Exclude by Race by Eric Umansky
• Choose 1 article from the article menu to your right.

Working in pairs, summarize briefly 3 of the 5 articles. While not all 300 words, how effective do you think is the article? How well written? Give some evidence from the text to support your claims.

After you discuss with your partner the value/writing of 3 articles, please turn in your responses as a group by the end of today's class. Move on to TASK #2 today.

Task #2: Let's add an inch. 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!:

• The RCSD New Releases
• The 2014-2018 Action Plan (district)
• School Supplies & Supply Lists
• ParentConnect Program
• Special Education Services for the District
• NYSED Take Action Against Testing
• The District Budget
• SOTA performance schedule/news
• SOTA Athletics
• Teen Health Issues/Topics
• More Teen Health Issues/Topics
• Teen Entertainment Ideas/Articles
• Food/Nutrition
• Technology in the Classroom
• Education News: New York Times
• Local News (NBC), (ABC), (Fox)
• World News: Democracy Now!; CNN; BBC

Turn in your article by end of class (even if you are not done!) 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)

HOMEWORK: 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?