How to write a
news article (�straight� news or �hard� news)
Description: This lesson provides
students with a basic method for writing news articles, understanding objective
informational writing, and organizing factual information in a style used for
news writing. The exercise also is effective for checking for reading
comprehension on the part of the student.
Objectives: This lesson is designed
for grade level 8. The learner will evaluate information for detail, relevant
facts and organization and research and organize information to achieve purpose
(competency goal 2.02); use knowledge of language structure and literary or
media techniques (4.02); apply conventions of grammar and language usage by
punctuating properly and avoiding sentence fragments and run-ons (6.01); and
produce finished writing that demonstrates accurate spelling and the correct
use of punctuation, capitalization and format (6.02).
����������� This lesson would complement the
study of the novel The Outsiders.
Goals: Students will understand
what correct news writing is, recognize it as a literary form (from
newspapers), and be able to write an article in the correct style.
Materials: Current newspapers;
overhead projector; pencils; handouts and transparencies of handouts, copies of
the novel The Outsiders.
Time needed: 15 minutes.
Procedure:
����������� Display �Writing a Newspaper Article� on overhead and discuss the
individual steps. Ask the students, �How is this writing like the writing
you�ve done before? How is it different? [Wait
for responses.]
��Newspaper
writing is not like writing an essay, or like a persuasive argument, in which
you try to justify your opinions. But it is like a report. It�s very factual.
It also follows a specific format.� Go through �Writing a Newspaper Article�
again and highlight the steps.
Show
them transparency example of article
about Ponyboy after the rescue of the children
from the church fire. Examine the article and ask students if it followed the
format we�ve discussed.
[Mention that if this had been a �real� news
story, then a few salient details about Dally and his police record would have
been tacked onto the end of the story. Also, this article would have been
better with some direct quotations, but I tried to be absolutely true to the
novel when writing it. I might have added comments from other characters if I�d
fictionalized a little.
Also, explain to the
students that today, news stories may not always be so objective and factual. A
�soft news� lead is sometimes used in news stories today, especially local
news, and� there
may be a slant to the story � a little bit of opinion or persuasion may be
inferred.]
�But
for today�s lesson, let�s use straight �hard� news style. Think about other
events from The Outsiders that might merit a news story: the murder of
Bob, or the police murder of Dally. Let�s look at one of those topics and
organize how we�d write a news article about it.�
Show
students transparency of inverted
pyramid and explain that news stories tell the most important information first
(in the lead) and dwindle down to the least significant information at the end.
�The
lead is the first one or two paragraphs of a news story. It contains the
essential elements of the story � who, what, where, when, and why. Use these
steps for writing a good lead:
1. Select a strong subject and
an active verb.
2. Add a time reference.
3. Add some descriptive words
or phrases that emphasis the importance of the news.
4. Delete unnecessary words.�
�
�Let�s look again at �Writing a Newspaper Article� and begin organizing how our article will be written.��
On the transparency, jot down student suggestions for headline, lead, and supporting ideas. Have students copy them onto their handouts, to use as an organizer for writing their articles. Assign as homework the writing of the articles.
Time permitting, hand out current issues (or news sections) of newspaper (one per group of 4 students), and allow them to find news stories and decide if they followed this format correctly. Or, ask students to bring in samples of �hard� news stories from home and be prepared to share with class how the story is organized.�� �����
Have
students complete their news articles about The Outsiders for homework.
Another day, have students read their articles aloud to the class. (The completed
articles can be compiled into a short newspaper, complete with editorials about
gang problems, prejudice, police brutality, etc., or with feature stories about
some of the secondary characters in the book.)