Minds On

New developments

Imagine there is a news item announcing that your hometown is getting one of the following:

You get to choose. Explore the images as needed to help you make a decison.

Brainstorm and record independently, or with a partner, if possible, what other information you would like to know in a news report (article and/or radio podcast) about one of these news items. Select a brainstorming organizer of your choosing.

In this learning activity, you will learn about the features and elements of a news report.

Action

Headlines and the news

What information did you want to know while imagining the news for your hometown in the Minds On section?

The 5Ws + 1H format gives us the information that people want to know. Some Ws are more relevant or of higher interest in the news, such as: When is this happening? What are the details? Who will benefit from this?

The following are typical features found in a news report.

Headline

The most interesting or relevant kind of information is usually used as a news headline to immediately catch the audience’s attention. Typically, headlines include titles that answer the questions: What happened? What will be happening? Who was involved?

Subheading

The subheading builds on and includes more relevant information to add to what is in the headline.

Byline

States who wrote or authored the report.

Lead paragraph

In the actual news report, more specific details about what happened or will be happening, when, where and then who is involved are provided. The how and the why (if it is known) may appear in the Explanation.

Explanation

In our Minds On section news scenario, information to answer questions like “Who is in charge and is making the decisions? How will this process unfold? How did this come about?” may or may not be included later in the (article or radio) news report. This is also where the reporter tries to answer any possible questions the readers may have after reading the headline, sub headline, and lead paragraph. It can also include quotes from witnesses or interviewed sources (people).

Additional information

This is where any extra information that is less important goes. This section may get edited out in the publishing stage of the newspaper or news report.

Conventions of a news report

  • Written in third person, in passive voice
  • Includes quotation marks
  • The first time a person is mentioned, the news report includes their first and last name and a brief title or description of how they are relevant to the report. Any following mention of the person in the report uses only their last name.

Task 1

Conduct some research on your own and find two news reports or media recordings. Identify the parts of the news report/recording. Examine the headline, subheading, and lead paragraph and identify which of the 5Ws + 1H it includes.

Examine the following:

The style of reporting provides some descriptions and details but the information is generally to the point (concise) and the sentences are not too complex or lengthy.

Quotation marks “ ” are used to indicate the exact words that a person who was interviewed stated.

The introduction of a person’s name in the article uses their complete name (first and last name) along with a brief title or description of how they are relevant to the report. Any mention of that same person afterwards only uses their last name.

Brainstorm

Task 2

Select a news report or other media source- it can be an article or from the radio.

  • Examine the headline and identify which of the 5Ws + 1H it includes.
  • Record what information it includes in the report.
  • Examine the language used in the news report. How are the facts presented?
  • Notice the use of adjectives, adverbs, and adjective phrases. Do they convey a positive or negative impression about the facts?
  • Does the news report perpetuate any negative stereotypes?

Create a list of words that are used in the news report or audio recording that contribute to a bias.

Repeat the same exercise by searching again for the same story but this time from another media source.

Compare how the two news reports present the facts about the same news story or news issue.

Select a familiar organizer to record your findings such as a table, Venn diagram, Carroll chart, audio or video recording, or use a list.

Consolidation

Your turn!

Create a news report for an event near you

Working independently or with a partner search for a scoop. Consider events that are happening in your school community or neighbourhood. This could be a sporting event, a play, seasonal concert, or outdoor festival. Select one that you are interested in and learn more about the event or organizers.

Record the 5Ws + 1H. Keep your news story short and concise (communicate all the necessary information in fewer words). Try to keep your own personal opinions out of your news report.

Your news report should include:

Self or peer edit, searching for correct spelling and correct use of: who, which, whenever, because, although.

If possible, conference with your teacher before writing your final draft.

Complete News Report Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

News Report Organizer

Press the Activity button to access the News Report Organizer.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next 4 sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

Task 1

With a partner or small group, form your own media news station (for radio or audio-visual) or newspaper. Each member will search for a community news story and create their own news report to publish in your news station or newspaper.

Task 2

Some news reports are called "opinion pieces" or "editorials," where the columnist or writer provides their own opinion formed by presenting an evaluation or analysis based on facts. Based on the scoop you reported on in, write an editorial (opinion piece) to connect that story to a bigger issue like stewardship/environment, global warming, making a positive difference (social justice, equity and/or inclusion). Follow the writing process of writing a draft, revising for content, style and language conventions before writing a final draft. Publish your editorial in your group’s news station or newspaper.

In the next learning activity, let’s consider author and style. You will develop your writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing skills as you write a narrative. Reflect on which writing strategies have proven most helpful to you so far.