ASSIGNMENT
News Story Project Guide
Modified from:
https://www-tc.pbs.org/now/classroom/acrobat/lesson05.pdf
Use the traditional newspaper templates on words
Step 1:
Work individually to create a list of possible news story topics. These topics should not be identical to the topics found at major media outlets. The article must focus on ONE of the following:
a scientific study conducted on COVID-19
a scientific study detailing the use of immunology for the treatment of cancer
a scientific study examining the anatomical and physiological effects of addiction to opioids.
a scientific study for treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
a scientific study for a cure of HIV
Reminder, the article you write cannot be the exact title of other news articles found on websites. These should be topics that would allow you to interview and investigate as if you are a local reporter would do on the job. Limit your selections to your local community or people you converse with routinely with your phone or computer to ensure you can complete the interviewing process.
Step 2:
Select a topic you will use as the focus of your news story about COVID 19, Immunology and Cancer, Opioid Addiction, Current Advances in Alzheimer’s Treatment, or Current Advances in HIV Cure.
Step 3:
Conduct research using https://matteroffact.tv/tag/coronavirus/ , https://www.nature.com/subjects/cancer-immunotherapy/nrclinonc , or https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis as well as other additional reputable sources. Create a list of questions and then conduct at least one interview with someone you call or are in contact with for your story. The more people you interview, generally the easier it is to write the story.
Step 4:
Organize your news story. Make a list of facts and story-related information, putting the data in order from most to least important.
Step 5:
Write your news story, even if you intend to produce an audio version of it. This will ensure that you include all of the required elements listed below:
Attention getting headline
A strong lead containing 5 W’s and H (who, what, when, where, why, and how)
Quotations (exactly what others have to say about the topic of the story)
True, accurate facts
A strong summary
Information presented from most to least important
Sources were cited at the end of the story for reliability using APA style https://apaformat.org/apa-pdf-citation/
Step 6:
Edit your work, checking to see that all required parts (listed above) are included and verifying that you have used the following in your writing style:
active voice
precise, concise wording
interesting and varied word choices
unbiased reporting
Step 7:
Create your final news story using one of the formats listed below:
a written story that could be printed for others or posted as a text document on a website
an audio version of the news story that could be played or presented as a podcast (must include the written notes as well).
Step 8:
Place your news story in the appropriate dropbox for evaluation using the evaluation worksheet below. Do not plagiarize as your papers will also be evaluated with Trunitin.
News Story Analysis Worksheet
Modified from:
https://www-tc.pbs.org/now/classroom/acrobat/lesson05.pdf
What was the headline for the story?
Effectiveness of the headline in summarizing the story and getting the reader’s attention.
Briefly describe the factual content of the story related to the lead: 5 W’s and the H.
Who:
What:
When:
Where:
Why:
How:
Did the end of the story summarize the main ideas and provide closure for the reader?
Facts in a news story are supposed to be arranged from most to least important. Were they?
Was the writing style: in active voice __________________________, precise with concise wording, __________________, interesting and varied word choices ______________________________, and unbiased____________________________?
Are the facts used in the story accurate? ________ How do you know that the sources used were reliable and accurate?
In what way did the use of quotations….
add to the credibility of the story?
make the story more interesting?
present differing points of view about the topic?
