Reading and Writing Workshop

Journalism Review
Introduction to Journalism
Objective: Understand the role and importance of journalism in society.
Review Questions:

• What is journalism, and what roles does it play in a democratic society?
• Identify and define at least three different types of journalism.
• How has journalism evolved with the rise of digital media?
• What are the “5 W’s and H” in journalism, and why are they essential?
• What ethical dilemmas might a journalist face in reporting?

Writing News Articles
Objective: Learn how to structure and write a basic news article.
Review Questions:

• What is the “inverted pyramid” style of writing, and why is it used in news articles?
• What makes a strong headline? What makes a strong lede?
• Why is fact-checking important in journalism?
• What are effective techniques for conducting interviews?
• Explain why objectivity and conciseness are important in news writing.

Feature Writing
Objective: Explore storytelling techniques used in feature journalism.
Review Questions:

• How does a feature article differ from a straight news article?
• What are some common types of feature stories?
• What does it mean to “develop an angle” for a feature?
• How can quotes and descriptive language enhance a feature story?
• What are effective ways to make a profile or human-interest story compelling?

Opinion and Editorial Writing
Objective: Learn how to express and support personal viewpoints in writing.
Review Questions:

• What are the key elements of a persuasive opinion or editorial piece?
• How should you structure an argument in an editorial?
• What is the difference between a well-supported opinion and a biased rant?
• Why is it important to include opposing viewpoints in opinion writing?
• How do editorial ethics apply when writing about controversial issues?

Journalism Ethics
Objective: Understand ethical standards in journalism and the role of media in society.
Review Questions:

• Define the following ethical principles in journalism: accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and plagiarism.
• What protections does the First Amendment provide for the press?
• What is sensationalism, and why is it considered unethical?
• Give an example of a real-life journalistic ethical dilemma and explain what was at stake.
• How can journalists recognize and address bias in their reporting?

Photography and Multimedia in Journalism
Objective: Learn the basics of visual storytelling and multimedia journalism.
Review Questions:

• What are the basic principles of photography that make a compelling image?
• How can images and video enhance a news or feature story?
• What are best practices for using social media platforms for journalism?
• Name two digital tools that can help create multimedia content.
• What are some challenges of combining text, images, and video in one story?

Layout and Design for Print and Digital Media
​Objective: Understand the basics of designing a publication.
Review Questions:

• What are the key elements of good layout design in a print or digital publication?
• Why is white space important in design?
• How does typography impact readability and tone?
• What should you consider when designing a school newspaper or blog?
• Name a software tool used for layout and design. What features make it useful?