Opening Activity:
1. Each day you will get your notebook
2. You will read and respond to a news article posted on this blog.
Daily Readings:
The New York Times:
http://eedition.nytimes.com
ID and Password: 200276996
www.turnitin.com
Password: 6766448
period 2
Welcome
Welcome to Journalism I
The purpose of this class is to discover the truth, express your voice, and share your discoveries with others through the medium of print journalism.
This year, we will be exploring many aspects of print journalism and its influence on society.
Students will begin by taking a walk back into history to learn about the foundation of journalism.
During this journey, we will be dealing with many of the following topics:
-Journalism History
-The First Amendment
-Libel-Famous contributors to the world of journalism
-Modern journalists: Dan Rather, Anderson Cooper, Barbara Walters, Katie Couric. Next we will learn to write news stories, ask questions, expand facts and inform others, investigate our community/ country/ world
Daily Readings:
New York Times:
The Times Leader
Internet story linked on blog
Resources:
Textbook: Journalism Today
by Donald L. Fergueson
Jim Patten
Bradley Wilson
Quizzes
http://www.newsroom101.com/
Grading:
-All assignments must be turned in on time
-You are responsible for meeting ALL deadlines. This is a journalism class. The success of this program is dependant on your contributions.
-All assignments will be graded.
(Partial homework or classwork assignments will receive a "0" with no make-ups)
(You MUST learn to be responsible in this class!!)
Journalism I Syllabus
News Writing
077
Contact Information
Instructor: Mrs. Christian
Email Address: tchristian@berwucjsd.org
Web Address: www.mycooljournalism.blogspot.com
Planning Period: Second period
Text and Resource Materials
Required Text: Journalism Today, Donald L. Ferguson, (NTC, 5th Edition)
Course Description:
This year, students will be exploring many aspects of print journalism and its influence on society.
The purpose of this class is to discover the truth, express one’s voice, and share one’s discoveries with others through the medium of print journalism.
*This course will help students build a foundation for writing various types of essays.
*Students will study Composition/Language Study- essays of various types.
*Peer Editing Skills
*Interview and Presentation skills
Prerequisites As stated in the Enrollment Book
PA Academic Standards
1.1.11H Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of nonfiction
1.2.11B - use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of material produced
1.1. Learning to Read Independently
1.2. Reading Critically in All Content Areas
1.3. Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
1.4. Types of Writing
1.5. Quality of Writing
1.6. Speaking and Listening
1.7. Characteristics and Function of the English Language
1.8. Research
For additional information visit
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/
Academic Expectations:
Students will participate in class discussions in a meaningful way. Students will complete all assignments on time and be responsible for obtaining assignments given in their absence. Students will be punctual and take responsibility for their own actions.
Students are encouraged to avoid extended absences as these often result in academic difficulties and poor performance on assessments. Failure to meet established deadlines will result in academic penalties.
Learning Objectives Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Students will understand how definitions of news have changed over time.
2. Students will read local, national and international newspapers.
3. Students will study basic grammar throughout their written assignments.
2. Students will be able to measure news value by audience, interest and need
3. Students will learn how to conduct an effective interview, including how to research and the questions.
4. Students will understand the basic elements of writing for print media. They will explore lead writing, the inverted pyramid, and AP style. As a result, students will be able to construct various types of news stories, understand its structure, incorporate transitions, appropriate language and research. Students will understand news-story structures other than the inverted pyramid.
5. Students will understand the need for precision in quotes. Students will know the appropriate uses of direct quotes, partial quotes and paraphrased quotes. Students will know how to handle attribution.
6. Students will write the following types of articles: news, features, sports, columns, and editorials.
7. Students will explore the history of print journalism and its influence on the modern media.
Course Outline
**Students will be studying the indicated topics below. However, they will be continually write throughout the year.
Marking Period One: What is News? Students will be introduced to basic news writing • Measuring news value
• Recognizing classic elements of news; Timeliness, proximity, prominence, consequence, human interest, and conflict
• Learning to generate ideas by brainstorming
• Learning interviewing techniques
• Understanding the elements of lead writing, the inverted pyramid, and AP style
• Students will be able to construct a news story held together with appropriate transitions
*Students will explore the history of journalism
Marking Period Two:
-Libel-Famous contributors to the world of journalism
-Modern journalists: Dan Rather, Anderson Cooper, Barbara Walters, Katie Couric. Next
we will learn to write news stories, ask questions, expand facts and inform others,
investigate our community/ country/ world
Students will explore In-depth reporting
-Students will become familiar with the issues that deserve in-depth treatment by student journalists
-Students will be able to construct in-depth stories by writing an introduction, a nut graph, a body and an ending
-Students will understand the difference between a routine story and and in-depth story
Marking Period Three: Students will explore Features writing, sports writing and editorials
• Know the difference between a features story and a straight-news story
• Recognize the types of topics often covered in features stories
• Understand the increased, but limited, latitude features writers have compared to straight news writers
• Write feature stories and various types of columns
• Understand the format of sports writing
• Recognize and avoid using trite expressions in sports writing
• Learn to write sports stories without being a cheerleader
• Learn how to write clear and lively pregame, game and post game stories
• Understand the opinion function of a newspaper and the various ways in which it is expressed
• Write editorials for a variety of purposes
• Understand various types of columns
Marking Period Four: Students will explore careers in journalism Students will learn to write headlines
Explore various careers in journalism
• Explore the media’s influence on society
• Understand various types of headlines and how to write them
• Understand the role of copy editors
• Copy editing will be conducted throughout the year
Assessments: Several forms of assessment will be utilized throughout the year:
Small groups; class discussion; teacher conferences; tests; quizzes; peer evaluations; self evaluations; teacher evaluations; rubrics and score sheets.
Grading Policy and Classroom Procedures:
Grades for each evaluation will be based on points, not percentages. At the conclusion of a marking period, the total number of points earned will be divided by the total number of possible points to determine the student`s percentage and report card grade.
Homework will occasionally be given and graded. There will occasional opportunities offered to all students to earn extra credit.
Class Expectations:
-All assignments must be turned in on time
-You are responsible for meeting ALL deadlines. This is a journalism class. The success of this program is dependent on your contributions.
-All assignments will be graded.
(Partial homework or class work assignments will receive a "0" with no make-ups)
(You MUST learn to be responsible in this class!!)
-The final exam will be weighted.
Student expectations
1. Arrive on time.
2. Be prepared to learn. Bring books, pencils, paper, agenda, homework and anything you may need for class.
3. Be respectful of others.
4. Follow directions the first time they are given.
Closure Activity:
Each day you will be required to complete a closure activity.
1. This is a graded activity
2. You will use the comment link below
3. Be sure to include your FULL NAME, CLASS PERIOD, AND DATE on each entry
4. The entries must be completed on the assigned day
Today's closure: In a few short sentences, please indicate what types of articles you read in the newspaper
