Q:Q: “What in the world will we be “What in the world will we be

writing about?”writing about?”

A:A: NEWSNEWS

So … So … What is News?What is News?

““Ever notice that no matter what Ever notice that no matter what happens in one day, it exactly fits in the happens in one day, it exactly fits in the

newspaper?” newspaper?” – – Jerry Seinfeld, comedianJerry Seinfeld, comedian

• News is all of the following:o Information, especially information you

haven’t heard before,o Something interesting or important to

you,o Something that has or will have an

impact on you or others,o Stories about interesting people doing

interesting things

• People, events and information that are newsworthy share common characteristics.

The characteristics of news are:o Timelinesso Prominenceo Proximityo Conflicto Impacto Human Interest

• Timeliness is a characteristic of a news story about an event that is reported as soon as it happens.o An accident, a fire, the signing of a peace

treaty or the result of an election is news when it happens.

o Many stories only run, or appear in the media, one day – the day they happen.

o Others continue to be timely news as long as there is new information to add and the audience is interested in knowing more about the topic.

• Prominence is a characteristic of a news story about someone whose name or job (such as the President of the United States) is well known and easily recognized by the public

• Every community has prominent persons. The mayor, the police chief, local radio or television personalities, and business leaders are good examples.

• Conflict involves opposing forces and the tension and suspense that is created when two sides meet.

• The extreme and classical conflict is war.

• A common example of conflict is an election.

• Stories about contests, debates, peace negotiations between nations, contract negotiations between teachers and board of education, and fights in the school parking lot are all based on conflict.

• Impact is the effect or consequence a story has on the audience.

• Readers’ interests are directly related to the degree of impact the subject of the story will have on their lives.

• Human interest is a characteristic of a news story about people, usually those involved in emotional struggle.

• Front Page News & News/Academicso Changes in school policyo Special events or activitieso Hard news, such as vandalismo School-wide projectso Honors and prizeso Newsworthy topics that have people talking

What TYPES OF news STORIES ARE THERE?

Features

• Profiles• In depth

issues• Secondary

news that is less timely

Centerspread

• In depth coverage on a single topic with lots of graphical treatments

• Surveys and Polls• Photo stories and montages• Fun stuff

Sports

• Schedules• Overviews of teams and

seasons• Profiles of athletes• Columns• Sidebar sports-related topics

Arts & Entertainment

• TV, Movie, Music, Book, Play Reviews• Entertainment profiles• Places to go, things to do

Opinions

• Reviews• Letters to the editor• Advice• Updates on club

activities• Calendar

What TYPES OF news STORIES ARE THERE?

o Everywhere!o Nose for newso Meet people every dayo Ask questionso Be curiouso Be aware of what’s happening around youo Don’t take things for what’s on the surface …

look deeper!o Bring your ideas to the pitch meeting & fight

for them!o Keep a journal of story ideas

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

A journalist gets stories from …

ClubsActivitiesCurriculumCodes of ConductTechnologySportsStudent CouncilAwardsPolicy ChangesEducational StandardsCounselingImprovements to FacilitiesNoteworthy Individuals

LunchNew StudentsPast StudentsSocial EventsGetting InvolvedTips to SuccessEditorialsSeasonalLockersAttendanceFashionWhat’s hotParkingSafetyMyth vs. RealitySurveys and Polls

IDEAS … IDEAS … IDEAS … IDEAS

ALSO…

CommunityLawsCommunity ConcernsEntertainmentCivic Duty ProjectsLocal Youth ProgramsJob OpportunitiesVolunteer OrganizationsNoteworthy Individuals

National/World Issues

Close-up coverage of wider concerns as they directly relate to students in our school and our community

• What’s the most important thing to remember when finding a news story?

o Your audience!o Will this story IMPACT MY AUDIENCE!o If so, write about it. If not, keep looking!o Who is your audience? Other students at

HPMS and MIS.o If it interests you, it will probably interest

them! o Have your eyes and ears openo Be self-aware!

Story JournalStory Journal• Lets begin getting in the habit of being self-

aware, being curious, having a nose for news• Lets do this by looking at what happens around

us that is interesting or leaves us with questions, and write those things down

• Lets keep a journal of these observations - because they can be story ideas

• This will be your story journal

Story JournalStory Journal• Your objective is to keep your story journal through

the semester in your binder• Write down at least one story idea per week• Write a brief paragraph explaining your story idea:

o The topic, o Sources o Type of story, o Who it would interest or why it is interesting and

newsworthy• Turn in your story journal idea each Monday for a

completion grade (include your name)• You can use these story ideas for your articles in this

class• HINT: Look for news and features to write about

Story Journal ExampleStory Journal Example• Mr. Cappotelli Story Journal Idea 1

Sept. 9• There is a dog on the HPMS campus. He is here

every day. His name is Bailey and he works with some of the teachers on campus to try and help with students. He is called a “therapy dog.” I am interested in finding out how long he’s been here, what a therapy dog does, and what the teachers and students who know Bailey have to say about him. I also would like to introduce Bailey by including a photo with my story. It’s a cool human interest feature story that the HPMS faculty and student body will find informative.