Journalism Assignments

Students produce the school paper and the yearbook out of this class. They learn styles of journalistic writing, photography, publication layout and design, and skills in project management. Students have the opportunity to take on a variety of responsibilities tied to the production of both the paper and yearbook. As the term evolves, many of the day-to-day activities and work required to produce the two publications becomes student directed.

Journalism Resources:

Register Guard eEdition

Click here to log in: http://services.registerguard.com/

*Your Email: 8606BCaly@rgnie.com
*Your Password: NIE12345
 

Shots and Angles Photography Assignment

*Use iPads, cameras, and/or phones

Students learn camera basics, and basic photographic technique by taking a variety of prescribed pictures. Students use a printed guide that demonstrated 5 camera shots and 6 camera angles. Students use cameras or smart devices to take the series of images. Images are then peer reviewed, approved, and then complied for presentation using iMovie. Movies must have a screen title, images labeled, and accompanying soundtrack.

Students are graded on having successfully demonstrated and presented the 5 shots and 5 angles in the iMovie format. Finished work is uploaded to Vimeo or Youtube and then the link is uploaded to Google Classroom.

Links to the Shots and angles examples is HERE

22 Points

A 3 part reflection is included as part of the grade – it can be a separate Google Doc Uploaded to Google Classroom with the movie or the movie link can be included in the Google Doc Reflection

3 Points

20 Points

3 Writing Style Abstracts – (may be assigned as 1 or all three styles 5 pts. apiece) Optional Assignment

Students are given examples of editorials, human interest stories, and reviews through lecture and handouts. This is an introductory lesson and assignment in writing styles they will complete with much greater detail. Students use both print newspapers and online news websites to find an example of each of the types of journalistic writing styles. A copy of the pieces is included Cut out or web URL reference) with a short abstract describing what the article was about, if it was clearly written, the author’s intent, and whether it succeeded in it’s purpose/reached the target audience.

15 Points

Writing Style Assignment #1 – Editorial Piece

Students research editorial writing style using the links below, discuss editorial style through lecture and discussion, use past examples of student editorial writing in The Zinger, and other example as a basis for this assignment. Students brainstorm topics, get their topic approved, then research relevant facts and other information to create an outline/idea map. They use the outline/map as their guide to write a 400 word editorial Editorials are peer edited, then fiinal copy submitted for grading as PDFs on their ePortfolios

Editorial Topic Ideas

  • Ill Effects of Junk Food
  • Malnutrition in Third World
  • Benefits of Organic Food Consumption
  • Obesity Problems in Developed Countries
  • Health Education
  • Bioterrorism
  • Food Safety
  • Dealing with Problems of Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Natural Gas Cars Pros and Cons
  • Future of Nuclear Weapons
  • Health Information Technology (HIT)
  • Trends in the Mobile Phone Industry
  • Internet Safety
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell for Cars
  • Nanotechnology
  • Is it Possible to Inhabit Mars
  • Future of the Smartphone Industry
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Is Money the Biggest Motivator in Life
  • The right to protest
  • Corporate advertising on NASA Space Ships and Suits
  • Teen Sports Injuries
  • Drones
  • #metoo movement
  • Plastic pollution

5 Points – Mind/Idea Map, 15 Points – Rough Draft, 5 Points – Final Copy = 25 Total Points. PDF of Final uploaded to assignment page on ePortfolio, hard copy packet turned in, in this order top to bottom: 1. Final copy, 2. Rough Draft with 2 initialed peer edits minimum, 3. Mind/Idea Map

Guides links below:

3 Ways to Write a Notable Editorial

How to write and editorial – tips 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuD_thI_Y4

NY Times Editor Tips

Editorial Writing Steps and Idea Map

Writing Style Assignment #2 – Human Interest Story

Students review the concept of the Human Interest writing style; what constitutes a human interest story. Link to Human Interest writing guide HERE!

Part A – On the Human Interest Assignment ePortfolio page, find three (3) examples of Human Interest stories/articles and list them with a brief abstract of what the article is about. Include The Article Title, the publication and date, and URL link to the article.

10 Points

Sample Human Interest Articles (Find Your Own for Part A): 5G Technology, Australia’s Wildfires, St. Maarten History and Culture, Harry and Megan Leaving the Royal Family, Earthquake that will Devastate the Pacific Northwest – The Big One, Is Bigfoot For Real?

Part B – Students use the 5-3-1 model for possible topics to write about – you can use TOPICS associated with your Part A – post them on their ePortfolio for review with the teacher. Approved topic from 5-3-1 is then researched, reference 2-3 sources/citations in an attached bibliography, use the idea map to generate an outline, then write a 300-400 word draft for peer review. Final copies are posted to their ePortfolios, a hard copy packet with the map, draft with peer edits and final copy get turned in.

20 Points

Writing Style Assignment #3 – Review Piece (Movie, Book, Event, Performance, etc.)

Students review tenets of how to write reviews (resource links below); about a movie, book, TV series, event, etc. Students may use a template they find or model a format from the type of review they choose. Review drafts are peer edited, with a final copy being uploaded to their ePortfolio. Reviews can range from 200-400 words.

15 Points

Link to How to Write a Movie Review

InDesign Publishing Tutorial Exercise

Students use the InDesign beginning layout and function tutorial – step by step packet available, tutorial files needed to loaded to their files1 server – available below.

In Design files on Flash Drive from Schiff

15 Points

10 Newsletter/Zine Cover Assignment – Click here for specifics and example: Newsletter/Zine Cover Assignment

Students fulfill requirements listed in the linked “Zine Cover Assignment”

20 Points

Zinger Filler – 3 Fun Filler Pieces for the Zinger

Students find 3 separate “Filler” pieces, modify, or create their own that will be used for the Zinger publications. Examples include Recipes, Fun Facts, Crazy Laws, Top Tens – albums,  “How to Draw” step-by-steps, Horoscopes, Interviews, etc. Look at past Zingers for “Fun Stuff Fillers”. Pieces need to be saved as Docs and PDFs and shown on ePortfolios on a page titled Zinger Filler Assignment.

15 Points

Personal Zine (Using InDesign)

Students create a themed 4 page “Zine” using InDesign. Students will be graded on their overall page layout and presentation (5pts), cover design (5pts), content development and placement (10pts)

20 Points

Extra Credit – Yearbook Work:

Yearbook Cover Design Poster (Not Spring Term) (5pts)

Yearbook Cover Design Artwork (5pts)

Yearbook Page Layout Mock-Up (5pts)

Photography (5-10pts)

 

 

 

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Cal Young Technology, Journalism, and Leadership