Journalistic
English
(Revised
Winter of 2007)
Course Description:
Journalistic English is an elective credit
offering that is designed to introduce students to varied aspects of journalism
as well as to provide the opportunity for students to create journalistic
models through the production of materials, including the school annual. The
student is expected to pursue excellence in communication skills and is given
the opportunity to use the latest technology in production and design. The
student will understand the role mass media plays in the community and in our
society.
Course Outcomes:
1.
Students will
demonstrate effective and creative communication skills.
2.
Students will
demonstrate the ability to solve problems in a production setting.
3.
Students will
demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with other students/production teams.
4.
Students will utilize
current technology in production of materials and will incorporate other
technologies as they become available, all the while understanding its
influence on the media.
5.
Students will develop an
appreciation for journalistic ethics and will utilize those standards in
production.
6.
Students will understand
the varying roles of journalism and the mass media in our school and society.
Objectives:
Literature:
1.
Evaluate changing
elements in communication
2.
Read and evaluate models
to identify main ideas
3.
Examine, identify and
analyze the diction and styles of various writers
4.
Examine other students’
writing in a collaborative effort to prepare for publication
5.
Read and analyze style
to recognize varying techniques, usage and effective styles
6.
Read and discuss
writing/media “pieces” from a variety of sources (television, radio, print,
etc.)
7.
Identify the purpose and
construction of story leads
8.
Evaluate effectiveness
of the structure of written materials and demonstrate a flexibility in
selecting appropriate structure
9.
Study a variety of
literary examples as illustrations of varied types of writing
10.
Study a variety of model
types to identify varied types of writing
11.
Consult sources of
information for research
12.
Analyze models or methods
of effective research
13.
Analyze various
publication formats to identify acceptable content balance
14.
Trace and recognize
propaganda, yellow journalism, and sensational journalism in print and
electronic media
15.
Criticize various codes
of ethics currently in use in print and electronic media
16.
Analyze the information
needs of a community and plan mass communication to fill those needs
Language:
1.
Discuss the changes in
vocabulary and structure of language to control meaning
2.
Identify and consider
the levels of language (audience) in models and student writing
3.
Experiment with sentence
structure and variety, transitional devices, and point of view
4.
Employ standard English
usage in appropriate situations, especially as part of the revision process
5.
Analyze diction and
syntax which create a shift in tone
6.
Revise writing to
correct weaknesses
7.
Review the essentials of
sentence structure, word order, grammar, and mechanics
8.
Learn journalistic style
to prepare writing for publication
9.
Develop proofreading and
copy editing skills as applied to various models of writing
10.
Identify different types
of leads
11.
Identify lead structure
and vocabulary used for effect
12.
Identify various story
structures
13.
Arrange story details
according to story structure
14.
Discuss and select
vocabulary appropriate to each mode of writing
15.
Achieve coherence by
organization, proper transition, and relevance
16.
Distinguish and discuss
features of proper research
17.
Take accurate research
notes
18.
Formulate and ask
evocative questions
19.
Work in small groups to
organize content
20.
Compare and / or
contrast effectiveness of various selections
21.
Analyze and discuss
style
22.
Determine how
vocabulary, syntax, and diction affect meaning
23.
Analyze personal style
for effectiveness
Composition:
1.
Employ the process of
writing: prewriting, drafting, revising and polishing
2.
Participate in
activities to generate ideas
3.
Create drafts, revise
appropriately and polish
4.
Develop main ideas into
an effective introduction
5.
Write in a consistent
point of view & tense
6.
Arrange information in a
logical order
7.
Develop coherence
through a variety of methods
8.
Edit and revise
selections of personal and peer writing to fit journalistic style
9.
Employ appropriate style
and usage rules in writing
10.
Practice variety in
writing leads for stories suitable for publication
11.
Follow a pattern of
organization that fits journalistic style
12.
Demonstrate the ability
to develop a story in journalistic style
13.
Transfer notes into a
story
14.
Write for specific
audience, purpose, and occasion
15.
Summarize research
16.
Use quotes
17.
Provide accurate,
adequate attribution
18.
Express opinion
supported by research
19.
Use research skills to
draft stories
20.
Proofread and revise
stories for print
21.
Proofread and correct
stories for publication
22.
Design page lay-outs and
create pages
23.
Evaluate the final
product
24.
Write evocative
interview questions
25.
Select logical order and
transition