n Unit 3, you will be studying the straight news story and then writing one of your own. What I will be specifically looking for in this assignment is as follows:
1. You can follow the inverted pyramid form.
2. You can write an interesting and catchy headline.
3. You can use a summary lead. (Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? answered in the first few sentences.)
4. You are reporting only facts (opinions should be left out).
5. You are using information gained from at least 2 different sources (primary or secondary) in your story.
6. You are attributing the info you gained from the source (giving credit to the source).
7. You are using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling throughout your news story.
8. Your news story is written in a clear and concise manner, avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical language.
9. You are able to present the information in a logical and coherent order, allowing readers to easily follow the story.
10. Your news story is objective and unbiased, presenting all sides of the story when applicable.
11. You are able to engage readers through your writing, keeping them interested and informed.
12. You appropriately use quotes from relevant sources to add credibility and provide additional information.
13. You adhere to proper journalistic ethics, such as ensuring accuracy and making corrections when necessary.
14. You have a solid understanding of the topic you are writing about, allowing you to provide accurate and comprehensive coverage.
15. Your news story is well-organized and structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
16. You are able to meet the word count requirements for the assignment, providing enough information without going overboard.
17. You are able to adapt your writing style to fit the tone and style of a news article, using a professional and objective voice.
18. Your news story is timely and relevant, providing information that is current and important to readers.
19. You are able to effectively communicate complex information in a way that is easily understandable to the target audience.
20. Your news story is original and creative, displaying your own unique voice and perspective.
To complete Unit 3 successfully and meet the given requirements, follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand the inverted pyramid form
- Familiarize yourself with the structure of a straight news story, which follows the inverted pyramid form. This means that the most important information is presented at the beginning, followed by supporting details in descending order of importance.
Step 2: Choose a topic and gather information from multiple sources
- Select a news topic that interests you and has sufficient information available.
- Research the topic using at least two different sources, such as news articles or reports. Ensure that these sources are reliable and credible.
Step 3: Write an interesting and catchy headline
- Craft a headline that succinctly captures the essence of your news story and grabs readers' attention.
Step 4: Use a summary lead
- Start your news story with a summary lead that answers the essential questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Include the most crucial information in the first few sentences to engage readers and provide a concise overview of the story.
Step 5: Report only facts, omit opinions
- Throughout your news story, focus on presenting factual information rather than personal opinions or biases. Stick to the information you have gathered from your sources.
Step 6: Attribute information to your sources
- Properly attribute the information you have gained from your sources by acknowledging and giving credit to them. This helps maintain journalistic integrity and provides transparency to your readers.
Step 7: Revise and edit your news story
- Review your news story for clarity, accuracy, and coherence.
- Edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Step 8: Submit your completed news story
- Once you have followed the above steps and have a well-written news story that meets the given assignment requirements, submit it for evaluation.
To successfully complete this assignment and meet the requirements, here are the steps you can follow:
1. Start by understanding the concept of a straight news story. A straight news story is a type of journalism that focuses on reporting factual information in a concise and objective manner. It typically follows the inverted pyramid structure, where the most important details are presented first, followed by supporting information in descending order of importance.
2. Choose a newsworthy topic that interests you. Ensure that it meets the criteria for a news story, meaning it is recent, relevant, and has significance to a wide range of readers.
3. Research your topic using at least two different sources, such as news articles, interviews, or official reports. Verify the credibility and reliability of the sources to ensure you are using accurate information.
4. Write a catchy headline that accurately summarizes the main point or event of your news story. Remember to keep it concise and engaging to capture readers' attention.
5. Craft a summary lead for your news story. The lead should provide answers to the essential questions of journalism: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? This lead should be concise, clear, and provide the key facts of the story.
6. Structure your news story following the inverted pyramid format. Start with the most critical details in the opening paragraphs, followed by supporting information in subsequent paragraphs. Arrange the information in descending order of importance.
7. Use only facts in your news story, avoiding personal opinions or biases. Fact-check all the information you include to ensure accuracy.
8. Attribute the information you gathered from your sources by citing or acknowledging them within the body of your news story. This gives credit to the individuals or organizations responsible for providing the information and enhances the credibility of your reporting.
Remember to proofread and revise your news story for clarity, accuracy, and adherence to the given requirements. Properly formatting your news story and including any necessary citations or references at the end of your article will also contribute to its overall quality.