Top 10 of 2010

Time Magazine put out Top 10 lists for "Everything in 2010." What was your favorite movie, song, tv show, game, event (concert, sports), etc...

Check out Time here:


http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2035319,00.html

Read this Article

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/educator-defends-drug-proposals-for-suffolk-1.2550859

Feature Writing

The University of Missouri has a great reminder sheet for Feature Writing. You can find it here:

http://extension.missouri.edu/swregion/news/Publications/Featurewriting.pdf

Please use the tips on both pages when writing your feature story. It is an invaluable resource. Get to work, we will have group topic meetings on Friday.

Please Print Out and Read

http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/opinion-u-s-should-hail-young-scientists-1.2530862

Newsday.com/Editorial Assignment

All content on Newsday.com is available for free until January 7th. Let's start our editorial assignment by looking at Newsday's opinion page from today.


http://www.newsday.com/opinion?qr=1

You need your topic by the end of class today.

Read these articles.

First, read this NY Post account of the Jets loss to the Patriots:

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/jets_crash_burn_in_afc_east_showdown_AGb6Ypv8fIGy4czIWOaPIM


Then, read this article written by Mike Lupica, a well-known New York Sports columnist.

After we read it, I want to talk about paragraphing, the "cut-off test," opinionated language, and style.

The article:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2010/12/07/2010-12-07_jets_outfoxed__outclassed.html

Monday, December 6th

Before editing and revising your articles, I want us all to talk about active voice v. passive voice in our writing.

On your keyboard this morning is a handout entilted "Always Active." We will discuss and complete this worksheet before going back to our articles.

Too Good to Check

A Sunday column from the New York Times that comments on a story we followed last week:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/opinion/17friedman.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

News Blog Project

What should our group be doing?

By this point, everyone is in a news group and should have one designated "blog layout editor." This person is in charge of the blog being created. You may be using blogger, tumblr, or wordpress.

The rest of the group should be collecting past articles, writing new articles, and submitting photos, videos, artwork or anything else that will make your News Blog look as professional as possible. Remember we want this blog as 'hyperlocal' as possible. Think Smithtown, Smithtown, Smithtown!

How do we combine all of our information?

All of this visual and textual content should be digitally passed on to the "blog layout editor" by using Google Docs, the school's public drive or a flash drive. Warning: Anything on the district's public drive will be erased by the next day. So, back up everything placed there.

What types of content do you want on the blog?

Being as local as possible is our goal, but realistically we can't have 10 earth shattering news stories on the blog. So, have some fun. If there is a Pizza sale going on, take a picture and write a short blurb about "DECA has pizza sale." If your English class is acting in class, ask to take a picture and write about it on the blog. Take your writing and reporting seriously but the articles don't have to be so serious.

When is this due?

I know this week has been a bit stop and go, but let's shoot for the end of the class on Friday.

You can do it, I know you can!


How will we be graded?

I will be looking for five qualities in your blog -

1. Clear, Concise Writing
2. Creativity in Layout
3. Knowledge of Audience
4. Variation in articles, content
5. Hard work - Did everyone contribute? Is this 3-4 days of classwork?

Citizen Journalists

This link from yesterday's newspaper goes right along with issues raised in the "News War" documentary. Please read it to see how Yahoo plans on using non-journalists to feed their news sites.

After you read the article, please list in your notebook 3 positives and 3 negatives you see resulting from Yahoo's plan.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/yahoo-seeks-news-from-its-users/?ref=technology

Ethics

We were talking about ethics in Journalism. What's happened to ethics in school?

http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/students-busted-for-cheating-22954742

Critiquing a Photograph

Please print out this handout from the NY Times Learning Network:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/learning/pdf/2010/20100423photocritique.pdf


Then search various news sites for what you consider to be a great journalistic photo.

Some sites you may consider:

http://www.life.com/


The Year in Photos - 2009

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1946595_2010901,00.html

New York Times Lens Blog:


http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/

Newspapers in Decline

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newswar/view/21.html?c=4wm

NEWS WAR

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newswar/view/16.html?c=4wm

Watch This!!!

WATCH THIS!!!

Tips for Interviewing

Do

--research your subject beforehand
--have an opening question prepared
--ask open-ended questions
--ask the 5 W's and H
--listen
--ask follow-up questions
--solicit quotes

Don't

--show up unprepared
--ask closed questions (yes or no)
--talk too much
--take so many notes that you forget to listen
--interrupt
--place obstacles between you and your subject
--be confrontational

Interviewing Techniques

How should you prepare for an interview?

What do you think are some Interviewing Do's and Dont's

Do you know the difference between an open question and a closed question?

This link is from an online textbook from NY Times and discusses Interviewing Techniques:
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/specials/weblines/461.html

Writing the Review

Music Reviews:

http://www1.rollingstone.com/topics/album-reviews

Movie Reviews:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2016836,00.html

Lifestyle/Food/Travel:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/index.html

Friday Morning Scavenger Hunt

NAME___________________________ Journalism 2010
Current Events Scavenger Hunt

Task: The object of this scavenger hunt is to increase your knowledge of current events and the places to find reliable information. Please answer the questions and write down where you found this information.


1. What is the top story in the news today?



2. What is the first advertisement you saw on a news website?



3. What time is Life as We Know it playing at the Sayville Theater today?



4. What day is Global Handwashing Day?



5. Who are Sharron Angle and Harry Reid?



6. Explain the controversy over the Ole Miss (a college) mascot.



7. Who wrote the new book The Warmth of Other Suns?



8. What are the topics of today’s New York Times’ editorials?



9. What Smithtown news made today’s local news?



10. What is the price of a barrel of crude oil?




11. What were yesterday‘s Win Four numbers for New York State?



12. Name one sports columnist for Newsday.



13. What was yesterday’s highest temperature in the US?



14. What was yesterday’s low temperature in Tokyo?



15. Who is the manager of the Texas Rangers?



16. Yesterday, President Obama made a proclamation that this month is _________ heritage month.



17. How much does a cemetery plot cost at the Mt. Hebron cemetery in Flushing?



18. How were 17 people killed on a Moscow train over a three-year period?



19. How much does an electric blue cat wig cost from the website kittywigs.com?



20. What problem is France currently facing?

More Front Pages!

Go to the link below to see front pages from around the world:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/default.asp

Front Page Project

First, please read this article about how a front page is made:

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/how-times-home-page-gets-made


Then, go to the link below to see the front page of today's NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2010/10/13/pageone/scan/index.html


Please leave it on your screen as we discuss the various elements of a front page.

Classwork for Tuesday, October 12th

ACTIVITY #1

You Make the Decision!
News Literacy Activity

You are the editor of a local newspaper. From the following list of available stories, you have to plan your next edition. You do not have unlimited space. You have room to run one large story, or “lead” story, on the front page along with three smaller stories.
Use the graph on the following page to rate each story on level of importance and level of interest to your audience. Then choose your “lead” story, your three secondary stories, and explain why you would give them more attention than the others.
You charge 50 cents a copy and there are three other competing newspapers in the area.

1. Female faculty members at a local university file a landmark sex discrimination suit against the university, alleging that women get paid less than their male counterparts. As evidence, they present the first comparative list of salaries, department by department.
2. The 6 year-old daughter of the local high school principal is reported missing from the campus day-care facility. Police fear a kidnapping and put out an alert for the public’s help. The principal is currently embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her husband.
3. Two-dozen homeless people are arrested after they are discovered behind the town power plant. Advocates say it points to the growing problem of the homeless this winter throughout the area.
4. A local high school senior, who works two jobs after school, wins $5 million dollars in the lottery and announces that he will treat his graduating class to the prom.
5. The current United States president has a new budge proposal that calls for a sharp increase in the interest rate for college loans. Some members of Congress have denounced the change and have urged students to lobby against the measure.
6. Six local students are arrested following a sit-in-by several hundred people at town-square protesting the increasing number of fast-food restaurants and the rise of obesity and diabetes in the town. They want to see more healthy options in restaurants for their town.
7. The local high school basketball team is undefeated and is going to the state championship for the first time.
8. Two students are killed by a drunk driver while walking along an unlit road in town. Residents have complained about this stretch of road for years.
9. Your reporter learns exclusively that The Jonas Brothers have chosen your town to be the kickoff site for their next tour and tickets will go on sale next week.
10. Elections for Mayor are coming up and both candidates will be speaking at the local high school to debate the rising cost of school taxes.




You Make the Decision! News Literacy Activity

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials have:

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some punch.

Four Types of Editorials Will:

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

Writing an Editorial

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side's logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

A Sample Structure

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.

Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)

Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
Additional research may be necessary.

II. Present Your Opposition First.

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.
Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.


III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the arts; however, …).

IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education …)

Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into public television's pocket hurts us all.)

A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source
A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend the interests of children, who will?)

Today's Editorial

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/10/01/social_pressure_to_the_rescue/

Two Editorials

Below are the links to two editorials from yesterday's papers:

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/09/29/2010-09-29_pass_zadroga_bill_today.html


http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/09/30/2010-09-30_freds_global_warming_fix.html

Writing the Editorial

NAME___________________________ Journalism 2010
Editorial Worksheet

Locate the opinion pages from one of today’s newspapers or a news website. Choose one of the opinion pieces and answer the following questions:

1. List the topics that are covered by today’s articles? What are their news pegs?

a.


b.


c.



2. Editorials usually fall into four categories: Explanation, Persuasion, Criticism, and Praise. Of today’s articles what types of opinion pieces are there?

a.


b.


c.


3. Choose one article. What is the thesis of this article?

Article -


Thesis -

Give the supporting reasons for the writer’s position.

Article –

Thesis –

Three Supporting reasons – 1.


2.


3.

The Power of TV News

Go the following link to see the power of TV news:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B-nSTAoJOry3OTIxZDBhODQtYTg5My00MTUxLTljNzYtY2Q5Y2YwMmM4OWIz&hl=en

Where People Get News

Before we discuss TV news further, let's look at where people get their news:

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1725/where-people-get-news-print-online-readership-cable-news-viewers

HW: TV NEWS DECONSTRUCTION

We have talked about deconstructing newspaper articles. next week, we will talk more about TV News. I am asking you to watch the news segment below and to answer questions from your worksheet.

Please finish this by Tuesday. If you don't have internet access available, there will time to watch the segment in class on Monday.

Here is the link to the 60 Minutes news magazine assignment:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4297944n&tag=related;photovideo

Interview with a Reporter

Here are some great tips from a working resporter:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7337

Reporting Basics

At this link, you can find very helpful information for emerging journalists:

http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/Reporting_and_Writing_Basics

What is Newsworthy?

FIVE NEWS DETERMINANTS

Timeliness – News loses value as it ages. The closer a news event is to the publication date, the more news value it has.

Importance/Prominence – Important people are more newsworthy than others. The president of the senior class is more important than a random freshman.

Proximity – News closer to home has more value. A hurricane in the Far East is not as newsworthy as one that hits Smithtown.

Consequence – A story that directly affects your readers is more newsworthy. What is pulling at their wallets? What is affecting their health?

Uniqueness/Emotional Appeal – These types of stories usually involve three factors:
They’re odd, unusual, or out of the ordinary.
They’re about a prominent figure in a conflict (war, game, election)
They’re emotional and possible involve children or animals.

Reliable Sources

We will be analyzing a NY Times article for the sources used by reporters to gain information.

Read the following article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/nyregion/08explode.html?ref=nyregion



Then, complete the worksheet linked below and place it into your digital journalism folder.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AenSTAoJOry3ZGR0c3JoaGtfMTM1NXdydnhmZA&hl=en

Journalism and News Literacy

What is Journalism?
According to Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry:journalism
Function:noun
Date:1828

1 a: the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media b: the public press c: an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium

2 a: writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b: writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation c: writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest

What is up?

Welcome to Introduction to Journalism and News Literacy. This class will help strengthen your skills as both a consumer of news and a producer of news. It is your duty as a citizen of this country and this planet to be aware of how the world around you is evolving every day and to contribute to its development.

We only have half a year, so let's get to work.