Holiday assignments

Newspaper Class - 10th graders

Write a task 1 essay based on the listening passage from class. You will have the prompt and the multiple choice questions to help.

Make sure that you keep up with your current events analysis.

Keep to your independent reading as well as when we return you will be writing an literary analysis paper due January 25th.

Newspaper club -
Make sure to come back to school with at least one article complete as well as ideas for another one.

Those of you who have completed one article already... please come back to school with a second article completed.

Tonight's homework- Newspaper class

Welcome to your new time folks... 3rd period. I'm hoping this improves lateness issues and fatigue.

Tonight for homework, I'd like you to prepare a new draft based on the peer conferences and conference with me.

Make sure to have both drafts in class tomorrow.

If you come unprepared, please make sure that you have other work to do to make sure you are staying on task.

Peer revision

Peer Revision Guide

These are questions to ask yourself after reading a paper (someone else’s or your own). If you cannot answer a question, the paper probably needs some revision.

1. Who is the audience?
 Who is the writer writing for? Is it a teacher, a friend, a newspaper editor?

2. Is the language and information in the paper appropriate for the audience?
 Is there a lot of slang that isn’t appropriate for a teacher, or is there information that a stranger would not understand without more explanation?

3. What is the writer’s purpose; i.e., what is the writer trying to do?
 Is the purpose to tell a story about a time something happened, or is it to explain how something works, etc.

4. What is the main idea? What is the paper about?
 If the paper is about a lot of different subjects, then it could be confusing.

5. Is the paper written on the correct topic?

6. Is there elaboration?
 Elaboration means that the writer has given details to make the information in the paper clearer. If you wonder “What do you mean?” or want to say “Tell me more,” then the paper needs more elaboration.

7. Is there any information that doesn’t belong in the paper?
 If there is information in the paper that does not help explain the main idea, it should come out.

8. Is the paper organized?
 Does the writer jump from one idea to another idea in a confusing way? Are some ideas repeated? If so, the paper has organization problems and needs revision. Maybe an outline would help.

9. Is there a sense of conclusion and completeness by the end of the paper?
 If the paper just seems to stop and leave you hanging, or if you feel that something is missing, some additional information is necessary.

10. Has the writer used the right words that mean what he/she wants to mean?
 If you don’t know what a word means, look it up. And be careful to use it correctly.

11. Are there better, more specific, words to use to make the writing clearer?

Reminder - First drafts of articles are due tomorrow

Please bring in a typed draft of your article to class tomorrow to work on revision in class for peer revision.

Next Collection of Current Events will be due on January 18th

Make sure that all articles are attached to analysis.

You should have at least 12 articles and as many as 20 (remember 3-5 per week)

Keep in mind what we worked on for analysis... look at lots of different kinds of articles

Do NOT use only the Daily News... try to use different newspapers as well.

Homework for the weekend

Please make sure to have the first draft of your articles completed... the list of what you've been assigned is in an earlier post. (If you don't remember).

Monday we will be working on revision, so please come prepared.

Have a nice weekend. Stay warm.

Ms. S

Summary/Analysis homework

Please complete the packet from class citing the differences between summary and analysis based on today's class discussion....

Reminder:

Class will meet in room 330B tomorrow morning NOT in the pub lab.

Summary vs Analysis homework

Literature and the Writing Process:

taken from: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/english/wwwroot2/TA/hyperteach/PDFs/lit_poetry.pdf

Summary & Description vs. Analysis & ArgumentSummary: tells what is happening; summarizes plot; basically paraphrases
the poem in plain (nonpoetic) language

Ex: The speaker in “The Flea” compares having sex to the bloodmingling
bite of a flea, in order to convince his beloved that sex would
not be a big deal.

Description: may take note of particular poetic devices, but makes no
argumentative comment on those devices

Ex: Donne creates an extended metaphor by comparing the mingling of
bodies in sex to the mingling of blood in a flea bite. He also uses
religious imagery by comparing the flea to a “temple” in which the
speaker and the beloved are “cloistered.”

What is missing? --any ANALYSIS of HOW these poetic devices function in
the poem and so of WHY the author might have chosen to use them

Analysis: asks and answers how poetic devices function in the poem, what
they signify or mean

Ex: By creating an extended metaphor in which the bite of a flea
represents the act of sex, the speaker suggests to his beloved that sex
is as insignificant, harmless, and sinless as the tiny flea bite. He also
suggests that the holiness of their physical union is already contained in
the flea, for he refers to it as a “temple” in which they are “cloistered.”

Argument: uses analytical points to make an arguable claim about the poem
as a whole

Ex: In John Donne’s “The Flea,” the speaker tries to convince his
beloved to have sex with him by comparing the act of sex to the
insignificant, sinless bite of a flea. But the speaker tries to have it both
ways: at the same time that he uses the flea as a symbol of sinless
insignificance, he also tries to convince his beloved that their union
would be as grand and holy as the flea, which he compares to a
“temple.”

Holiday assignments

You will have to write a task 1 essay based on the listening passage done in class. It should be typed and ready to turn in on the Tuesday we return to school.

You should keep a writer's notebook for new story ideas.

You should continue working on Current Events

You should continue to read your independent reading books.

You should gather up story ideas for your next article.

Assignment Due Dates

Newspaper class - your first draft of new articles are due on Monday, 12/17 - it must be in your hand in class on Monday.

Tuesday, you will need a revision of that first draft with a copy of the first draft as well.

Thursday you will need to have a final draft with all other drafts attached

Story Assignments for the second issue

News section -

Field trips - 7th grade - Tessa Horn
Regents Follow up - Claudia
Testing in the middle school - Divya
Rube Goldberg - Daniel (6th grade)
Student harassment - Kaitlin (6th grade)
Penny Harvest - Ariana (6th grade)
Canned food drive - Franchesca (8th grade)

Feature -

Water pollution - Billy Poulos
Winter activies - Paula
Inquiring photographer - Divya

Investigative feature

teens tattoos - Divya
teens drugs - Claudia
Gangs - Freddie

Entertainment

Casey Calvert - Stephany
Style - Jonathan

Sports/Sports feature

superbowl - Stephany
Boxing - Qwany
Basketball - Josue
Soccer - Travis

Op/Ed

School climate - Katherine
Resolutions - Monica

Monday Morning Newspaper Club - Cancelled

I won't be in tomorrow. Please don't show up early. As far as I can see, I will be in on Tuesday, so the club will resume then... make SURE YOU HAVE a PIECE OF SAMPLE writing by that time.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Ms. S

Field Trip Changes

Please make sure to get to school no later than 7:25 as we need to leave to get to the LIRR by 7:45 to make an 8:01 train.

You will need to bring $15 for LIRR train fare.

Please come fully dressed in your uniform OR YOU WON'T BE COMING

Newspaper Club -

please bring in first drafts of articles on Monday, 12/10... I need to conference to see your writing.

Due to the field trip tomorrow, (Friday, 12/7) we won't have class at 7:30

English Regent Rubric and Exemplars

http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/engre/1rg-807.pdf - ELA Regents Rubric with exemplars... to be discussed in class

Regents exams - English - Overview

http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/engre/regenteng.html - link to some past tests to see the prompts and multiple choice questions

Regents Comprehensive Examination in English

Part 1: Listening and writing for information and understanding, as assessed by:
- a written response to a speech
- multiple choice questions on key ideas


Part 2: Reading and writing for information and understanding, as assessed by:
- a written response to a text and related visual
- multiple-choice questions on basic comprehension


Part 3: Reading and writing for literary response, as assessed by:
- a written response to two paired literary texts
- multiple-choice questions on key ideas, details, and vocabulary


Part 4: Reading and writing for critical analysis, as assessed by:
- a written response to two works of literature read in class

Newspaper Class Reminder for class tomorrow

Your current events assignment is due - (6 -10 articles analyzing author's craft and effectiveness)

No excuses.

Make sure to bring your writer's notebook to class as we will be addressing Regents tomorrow...

Newspaper Club

Tomorrow morning we will meet at 7:30. If you were invited to come on the field trip make sure that you bring in your permission slip tomorrow... or you will be uninvited.

Also make sure that you have written a first draft of a NEWS article to hand in so that I can see how you write. I would like to start getting people paired up and we can start conferencing on your writing.

By the end of the club tomorrow I want to get a sense of what you'd like to be writing for the next issue.

Because of the trip on Friday... unless you are joining us on the trip, there will be no meeting.

Thanks,
Ms. S

Tonight's homework

Come to class with 5 suggestions for stories for the next issue... each idea should suit a different section as discussed in class.

Tonight's homework

Come to class with 5 suggestions for stories for the next issue... each idea should suit a different section as discussed in class.

Newspaper Club - Tomorrow morning at 7:30

Good afternoon all,

It was so great to see the interest in our newspaper... tomorrow morning we will reconvene and discuss our next issue.

I want to hear your ideas for news stories, feature stories, entertainment and sports...

I also want to see your writing... everyone is going to have to understand the conventions of news writing before they can move on to the "fun" stuff. It is a necessity.

So here are a few news tips:

• Headlines should be active titles that directly get to the point of your article - objectively
  
• strong leads should be present - (a lead is the first sentence or paragraph, no more than 35 words) - address the main points (as many of the 5 ws and h as possible)
  
• paragraphs should be kept short and should be organized in the inverted pyramid format (i.e. the most important details go first and then less important ones follow) there is no formal conclusion in this kind of writing as we should be able to chop your article at the bottom for space without losing any important info
  
• simple journalistic language should be the rule... this isn't a literary magazine... language should be simple and easy to understand unencumbered by excessive adjectives and florid language.
  
• Be objective - there is no place for your opinion in news writing...
  
• it should be written in a third person voice addressing the audience formally not as "you"
  
• there should be many direct and indirect quotes for information taken from people you've interview (direct is in quotation marks and represent the person's exact words... indirect is a paraphrase but still offers proper attribution (credit to the speaker)
  
• there should be an objective understanding that cuts out all unimportant information...
  
• notice the trend of objectivity written throughout... you are writing news NOT a persuasive essay...
  
  can't wait to see what everyone has to offer.
  
  Ms. S

Section definitions

News section - usually section 1 in most newspapers - objective writing - strict structure (inverted pyramid, strong lead, complete attribution, direct/indirect quotes, NO subjectivity from the writer... you just report, you don't analyze)

• different papers have different ideas of what news is... what do we think news should be? Remember, news is anything that an audience wants to know about... but there is a clear distinction between hard news and soft news


• see earlier posts for specifics on news writing and/or websites to help with good examples. I will see what I can do about posting student articles as exemplars.
• Kinds of articles - anything going on in school, community (strictly from a 5 ws and h standpoint... we are here to inform)

Feature section - softer news - it could take hard news but from a different angle. It needs an angle and depth. These articles should concentrate on one idea within a subject

Entertainment section - soft news - movie or bookor music reviews - can be subjective, but still balanced and researched - we can put our comics, art, and creative "stuff" here.

Investigative feature - these are researched articles - this is where you'll do surveys, find research and poll a lot of people. It takes feature to the next level and it usually can be carried on for more than one article/angle/issue.

Editorial/opinion - Here's where you can use your opinion. Editorials are usually unsigned and represent the whole paper. Opinion pieces are signed. Both of these writings are based on opinion, however subjective, they must be based in fact. They need to be balanced and accurate even if based on an opinion.

Sports/Sports feature sections - like feature, only focused on sports... they can use narratives or they can be like straight news focused on a particular event.

Sports feature is usually about people and/or sports related ideas like nutrition or body enhancing drugs

Sports news can be about a game, a preview to an event or it can be about professional sports.

Presenting ideas for the next issue

With the club helping out now and everyone having to get into the habit of editing for particular sections, I'd like everyone to start thinking about the kind of writing they'd like to be doing.

We will need the following positions:
(position descriptions are listed in earlier post)
editor-in-chief
news editor
photo editor
feature editor
entertainment editor
sports editor
op/ed editor
investigative feature editor

each section requires something different (even if similar to something else)\\

for sports we need to consider reporting on outside sports as we don't really have school sports to report on yet... however, clubs, intramurals and other sport related activities would be good.

ENEWS class - Friday - 8:40

Good morning everyone,

I had a family emergency to tend to with my son. I've spoken to Divya and Mrs. Moreno and they will make sure that class runs as it should.

All final drafts are due electronically in class on Friday. Email me at mssackstein@yahoo.com with the final drafts for both stories.

If you don't turn things in tomorrow, you will not get into the issue and you will receive a zero on the assignment and won't be able to make it up. (new policy is that once a week goes by and your assignments are still late, you are no longer able to make up the work... only 1 week grace periods.)

Divya will make sure that I get copy of the pdf files of the layouts.

Thanks for your cooperation. I apologize for the inconvenience... the excuse that I am not there is not acceptable. You should email me... no later than 9:40 tomorrow morning.

Ms. S

tomorrow there will be NO newspaper club

I have a family emergency to deal with, so I will see everyone at 7:30 on Monday morning.

Thanks,
Ms. S

Feel free to post your ideas to the blog.

Copy editing - for self and staff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_copy-edit
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=5441

http://members.aol.com/nancyds/wfw-jou.html

http://journalism.about.com/od/copyessentials/ht/copyedit.htm

http://www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=2

http://www.bucks.edu/~rogerst/jour275.html

http://www.barbarabrabec.com/writing_publishing/editing_checklist.htm

Other good websites for writing skills

Feature writing:

http://www.anthologiesonline.com/Articles/12%20Point%20Checklist%20for%20Writing%20Feature%20Articles.htm

http://www.spawn.org/editing/writefeatures.htm

http://www.marketingpower.com/content25752.php

News writing:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/write-news.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/news/

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/broadcast_news/news_article_formula.cfm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2002073_write-newspaper-article.html

Feature Writing Review

Taken from: http://www.econnect.com.au/pdf/quicktips/writing_features.pdf

Top tips for writing feature articles

A feature story differs from a straight news story in one respect – its intent. A news story provides information about an event, idea or situation.

The feature does a bit more –

it may also interpret news, add depth and colour to a story, instruct or entertain.

Structure :
· The introduction is the most important part - entice your reader, hook them in. Use
drama, emotion, quotations, questions, descriptions
· The body of the article needs to keep any promises or answe r any questions raised in
the introduction - try and maintain an "atmosphere" throughout the writing
· While the introduction draws the reader in, the conclusion should be written to help the
reader remember the story - use a strong punchline

Some points to keep in mind:
· Focus on human interest - the feel and emotion you put into the article are critical. Don't
think about writing a "science" story - think about writing a "human interest" story.
· Be clear about why you are writing the article. Is it to inform, persuade, observe,
evaluate, or evoke emotion?
· Write in the active voice. In active writing, people do things. Passive sentences often
have the person doing the action at the end of the sentence or things being done “by”
someone.
· Accuracy is important - you can interpret and embroider but not fudge.
· Keep your audience clearly in mind - what are their desires, what really matters to them?
· Avoid clichés (cutting edge, world beating, revolutionary ) and sentimental statements -
especially at the end of your article.
· Interviews for features usually need to be in-depth and in person rather than over the
phone - this enables you to add in colour and detail.
· Use anecdotes and direct quotes to tell the story - try not to use too many of your own
words.
· Talk to more than one person to provide a more complete picture – but don’t just add in
sources to show how much work you’ve done. Be ruthless about who you put in and who
you leave out!
· Don't rely on the computer spell-checker - especially those with a U.S. dictionary.
· Decide on the ‘tense' of your story at the start and stick to it. Present tense usually works
best.
· Avoid lengthy, complex paragraphs. Your article will appear in columns, so one or two
sentences equals a paragraph.
· Ideas come from everywhere - watch, read, listen, keep up to date, take notes. Talk to
people outside the field of science to find out what interests and concerns them.
Getting your feature articles published
· READ the publication you want to write for (a surprising number of writers don’t and it
shows)
· Give a proposal rather than full article
· Include good examples of your previously published work
· Write what the editor wants to publish, not what you want to write. How do you find out?
Study the editorial and staff writers' pieces - they are aimed precisely at the publication's
target audience
· Select your market - list six magazines that could buy your article and study them. The
articles, advertising and letters to the editor will give vital clues to the interests and
demographics of the audience
· A picture sells the story - offer good quality images as prints, transparencies or digital
files. Check with the editor for the preferred option
· Obtain a style sheet for the publication
· Submit your story typed and double-spaced.
· Let the relevant person (editor/deputy editor) in the print media outlet know you are
sending them an article. Follow this up with a phone call a week or so later
· Send your article to only one print media outlet initially. If they don't want to use it within a
set time period, send it elsewhere.
©Econnect Communication, 2002

a note about headlines

Although they are titles in one right, they aren't like book titles... they are active and direct...

don't mislead your readers...


• HEADLINES - taken from http://web.ku.edu/~edit/heads.html

Making an impact — accurately
Apply the following rules when writing headlines. The best way to write a good headline is to keep it simple and direct. Be clever only when being clever is called for. Puns are good, but only on “punny” stories. (For examples of the good, the bad and the ugly, go to Good headlines and Problem headlines after you read these tips on “Writing Effective Headlines.”)

• Use the active voice: Effective headlines usually involve logical sentence structure, active voice and strong present-tense verbs. They do not include “headlinese.” As with any good writing, good headlines are driven by good verbs.
  
• A “capital” idea: The first word in the head should be capitalized as should all proper nouns. Most headline words appear in lower-case letters. Do not capitalize every word. (Some publications do capitalize the first letter of every word; the Kansan and most other publications do not.) In most cases, do capitalize the first word after a colon. (In some cases, when only one word follows the colon, the word would not be capitalized. Use your best judgment.)
• Number, please: Numbers often go against AP style in headlines. For example, you may start a sentence with a number and, even though that number is below 10, you do not have to spell it out. (Note: For best results, please view in the full-width of your computer screen.)
  Example:
  3 die in crash
  However, whenever possible, follow AP and Kansan style rules.
  To the left: Write all headlines flush left unless told otherwise.
  

Newspaper Club

Beginning tomorrow, I will be running a newspaper club for the rest of the school. It's an opportunity to start helping students get involved as well as a way to start training younger grades in how to write journalistically.

If you are available, please join us at 7:30 in the pub lab.

Newspaper Field Trip to Baruch College

We will be going to Baruch College for a newspaper conference on Friday, Dec. 7th. We will be traveling by public transportation - so get to school by 7:30.

You need to wear your full uniform including blazer.

This will be a beneficial newspaper conference.

Permission slips will be due NO LATER than Thursday, Dec. 6th

Current Events for the second trimester

Since we are all starting fresh... first rounds of current events articles will be due on December 6th (Thursday) This will count for the second trimester.

You should have at least 6 articles (keeping in the 3-5 per week)... they should be current. If you've submitted articles for the first trimester, you can't use them again.

Review the blog for the assignment if you have forgotten what is expected.

Tonight's homework

Post your ideas for new feature stories.... make sure you have at least 2 ideas to write stories about. You will be committed to these ideas, so please make sure you are interested in your choices...

We will also need news stories for the second issues, so lets keep up with what's going on at school.

New Trimester, New day

Good afternoon all,

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I just wanted to share some encouraging words as we embark on our new trimester.

Remember that everyone starts out with 100 as a grade... keeping the 100 is admittedly difficult, but I want to invite everyone to try.

Make a commitment to getting work in on time and doing your best on everything... from do nows and classwork to homework and projects.

Let's make the second trimester a successful one for everyone.

see you tomorrow,
Ms. S

1st issue

For the first issue - Ashley, Monica and Divya will be our acting editors-in-chief... they will be your go to people...

Here are the story assignments -
Paula - Latin/Independent Reading
- Early Bird/extended day

Claudia - Channel 1
- pedaphile (with Divya)

Monica - Regents
- PSATs
- Fieldwork

Divya - Study habits
- PSAT
- Pedaphile (with Claudia)
- Teacher profiles

Qwany - Kanye West

Stephany - Gay/Lesbians
- band

Ashley - Beginning of school
- portfolio

Freddie - Sports and clubs

Gabii - Uniforms
- Detention (with Danielle)

Katherine - Lateness
- Talent Show

Danielle - Fashion
- Detention (with Gabii)

Josue - Clubs
- Gym

Jonathan - Cell phones

News Writing Reminders...

Remember your headlines and leads... we aren't writing essays here, we are writing news.

Make sure you follow the inverted pyramid... decide what your story is about and plan top down from there.

Make sure you have many direct/indirect quotes
Make sure all your facts are attributed to someone/something
Make sure all opinions are other people's and not yours...

Looking forward to seeing more of your finished work on Thursday...

Remember we will be in room 330B not the Pub lab.

Current Events Assignment... reminder

Current Events/News Writing Analysis Reflection – ongoing assignments

Each week you should be looking through the newspaper and finding 3-5 articles of relevance. They can be on whatever topic you deem of interest. You will be expected to keep a clipping of the article as well as an analysis and reflection about it.

The format:
The headline and date –
Section of the paper the article appeared in
Brief summary
Analysis of the writer’s technique and style (it would be interesting if you watched one author for more than one article)
Technique and style can include, but doesn’t have to be limited to:
· Analysis of the lead… what kind of lead is it? is it effective?
· Language used
· Word choice
· Paragraph length
· Depending on the kind of article – how persuasive it is
· Does it get its point across
· How many different people are quoted in either direct or indirect ways –
· Flow of the article and use of transition

Your reflection should then think critically about the news worthiness of the topic and how well the article was executed.
What did the article make you think about?
Did it make you want to know more?
In what ways can you use what you saw in your own writing?


These assignments will be checked monthly and can be used later for your portfolio

Newspaper Crashcourse

We are working toward putting out the first issue which will be in the next two weeks. Please come to school and class with whatever you need to produce your two articles.



We will be typing articles, sending them to Ms. Sackstein via email and then getting ready to put the work into InDesign.



Homework will be:

Continue work on independent reading

Continue work on missing work

Continue work on current events



The first trimester ends on November 21st...

Weekend homework

In preparing for our first issue, I need everyone to start finishing their articles... please make sure that you type your news articles and either send them to me electronically or put them on thumb drive to bring to school next week. I'd like to start laying out the first issue and the only way we can do that is if we the articles...

We need pictures... please bring your cameras to school on Monday/Wednesday and take pictures for the following articles:

Lunch
lateness (maybe kids coming in and getting late passes)
a picture of students around their lockers in the morning or afternoon for school culture/attitude
gym class
and/or any others that you think would be beneficial to the paper.

Scarlet Ibis Obituary

Read "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst and write an obituary for Doodle using the text.

Use the handout from class to articulate how the article should be written. Use the rubric to know how to get a good grade.

http://www.dixon.troyhigh.com/ibis.pdf - here is a copy of the story if you misplaced yours...

This is due at the end of class on Thursday, 11/1... the sub will be collecting it.

writing feature story links

http://www.milforded.org/schools/foran/turtola/feature.ppt
http://www.ypp.net/pdfs_writersguide/unit4.pdf

http://www.econnect.com.au/pdf/quicktips/writing_features.pdf

7 types of Feature Stories

1. News feature
2. Interpretive feature
3. Straight feature
4. Personality feature
5. Interview feature
6. Human-interest feature
7. Brites

How is feature different than news? - see class notes from today...

Tonight's homework

Brainstorm 5 stories and at least 1 person you would interview for each story to be discussed in class on Thursday

Weekend Homework

Please work on your revisions as well as make up work. You will also need to start working on new news stories discussed in class yesterday.

Make up work

Students should be working on making up work... if we are going to put out an issue, we need to have material. It can't just be three people making up the paper... please take these classes and assignments seriously.

I plan on moving into feature next week.

preparing our first paper...

As we enter the second half of our first trimester, we must consider what will be going into the first issue...

I'd like to have everyone's contribution at least be the first news article you have been working on...

Perhaps we can also make a PSAT article in the past tense as far as following up on the experience.

I'd like to look into writing possible articles that have to do with discipline at school, course and club offerings, the sports program (fred I know you were working on this).

We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Reviewing leads, organization and writing, oh my!

Today in class we reviewed leads again... what makes a good lead, what makes a weak lead...

For homework tonight you will finish the packets given out in class today and in so study for the test tomorrow. Get to class on time... you will not be granted more time at the end of the test.

I will collect the assignment tomorrow so please make sure it is done.

News Basics Test on Friday, October 12

Good morning all,
After reviewing another round of news writing assignments, I've decided to give a test on news writing basics...

Be able to write an active headline
Be able to identify and write a lead
Understand the inverted pyramid and how to write with it -
http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11178/171/pyramid.htm
Know the difference between a direct and indirect quote
Know how to attribute quotes properly
Be able to identify the difference between fact and opinion... be objective

http://www.newsu.org/

Long Weekend work

Please revise your news article (the first one)
Put together a draft of a PSAT article

Come to class prepared on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend.

Homework

Reflect on the many situations discussed in class - How are we going to deal with potentially libelous or ethical issues?

Finish your "COA" news articles due on Thursday...

Homework and outlook for the week

Laws, Ethics and Standards of journalism... what are we are looking at... what kinds of issues does a new school come up against when starting a paper?

Tonight's homework is to continue work on your "COA" news article. Continue with independent reading

Student Work... Divya's Lady or the Tiger

Divya Desai Friday, September, 27th, 2007
Newspaper
Homework: The Lady or the Tiger.
…And love was supposed to be Giving
A young man lost his life yesterday, in the semi-barbaric King’s brutal judgment arena. His crime, loving the king’s daughter. Neither the Princess, nor the Young Man denied these claims, but accepted them as facts. Yet the King would hear none. He decreed that the matter would be decided in the Judgment Arena. Either way the Young Man would be disposed of. If he chose the one door he would be faced with a brutal tiger, if he chose the other, he would face a maiden to whom he would instantly be married to.
The Princess, with a soul as fervent as her father’s,
chose not to sit ideally, she found out which door had the Tiger and which the Lady. Something which even the King didn’t know.
With this knowledge she led the Young man to his brutal death. While all the eyes, in the court were on the Young Man, his eyes were on the Princess. He signaled “Which?” to the Princess with a scratch. She in turn responded with a movement of her arm. With this she gesture to the right door. And out came the Tiger.
The Princess’s love was more demanding then giving, she couldn’t bear to see her love, with another. Instead of giving her love his life, she took it instead.

Current Events

I think we should talk about current events, but we need to be informed... where do you get your news?

What are you reading?

http://bookloversforum.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in being a part of this blog... comment on the this post... and I will add you to the member list.

Homework reminders

Tonight you should be revising your news articles and they should come to me revised on Monday with the first draft.

You will be receiving an assignment in class today on the "COA" that will be due on Thursday, October 4th...
It will use the same rubric as before.

Have a great weekend.

Ms. Sackstein

Consistent Rubrics for all grading...

In order to be consistent with the rest of school, we will be going on a 1-4 rubric for now on...
4 - exceeds the standards
3- meets the standards
2- approaching the standards
1 - needs improvement
0- not handed in

Good news writing links to improve your work...

Good writing tips, leads and easy improvements...
http://www.northernstar.info/nina/highschool/write.html

Great overall journalism link:
http://www.poynter.org/

A good breakdown of news with examples:
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/journalism/news.htmv

More good tips:
http://www.education-medias.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/toolkit_resources/tipsheets/writing_news_story.cfm

Practice your skills at:
http://www.newsu.org/

Excellent scholastic journalism site:
http://www.highschooljournalism.org/

Homework for Thursday night to have ready for class on Friday

Read Poe's "Cask of the Amontillado"

http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/amontillado.html

Revise your news story to be handed in again on Monday, October 1

position descriptions

Position Descriptions

• Editor-in-Chief: Individuals are responsible for managing all elements of the high school newspaper. Drafting layouts
and planning ahead for the entire academic year, as well as constructing the ad pages. He/she should feel comfortable
using the appropriate technology and training other staff members to use the required technology. Journalistic style
should be “second nature.” Strong leadership skills are a must, not to mention a positive outlook and motivating
attitude.

• Associate Editor: In addition to designing a section of the newspaper, he/she works with other associate editors and
provides support for the editor-in-chief. They follow-up with reporters to see that interviews are being conducted and
stories written. Associate editors are responsible for the timely production of the newspaper. The board may contribute
to the editorial section. They should be skillful managers, editors, and leaders.

• Page editors:Individuals are responsible for brainstorming, story assignments, editing, headline and cutline writing, as
well as proofreading and contributing stories for each issue. Page editors should know the basics of newspaper design
and how to use Indesign and Photoshop on Apple computers. They must also know how to scan and download
pictures.

• Staff Writer/Reporter: Individuals are responsible for brainstorming and writing assigned stories. He/she must be able
to write for a variety of sections. In addition, staff writers should be motivated to learn other aspects of newspaper
production.

• Photographer: Individuals are responsible for shooting requested photographs for each issue. He/she must be able to
manage a system for photo requests. In addition, he/she should have a positive and flexible attitude. Must know how
to download photographs and save on the shared network. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

• Art Editors: Individuals are responsible for creating requested art for each issue. He/she must be able to manage a
system for requesting art. In addition, he/she should have a positive and flexible attitude. Must know how to scan
images and save on the shared network. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

• Technical Editor: Individuals are responsible for the operation of the computer lab. He/she must be able to multi-task
and address issues concerning all aspects of the operating systems, external devices, and applications. Specifically,
he/she must be fluent in Indesign and Photoshop, MAC OS X, and file sharing. Should be able to write copy for the newspaper if needed.

Newspaper Positions
If you are interested in an associate editor’s position, you must also choose a page-editing position.
First Choice Second Choice
Editor-in-Chief ____________ ____________
Associate Editor ____________ ____________
Around Town Editor ____________ ____________
Entertainment Editor ____________ ____________
Features Editor ____________ ____________
In-depth Editor ____________ ____________
News Editor ____________ ____________
Sports Editor ____________ ____________
Staff Writer/Reporter ____________ ____________
Photographer ____________ ____________
Artist/Illustrator ____________ ____________
Technical Editor ____________ ____________
Short Answers

Please answer each item in 200 to 300 words. Provide responses on a separate sheet of paper, and label each response with the letter of the question it answers.

A. Why have you chosen to seek a position on the paper? What has attracted you to the field of
journalism?

B. What do you feel that you will bring to The paper next year if selected? Why have you
chosen the staffing position(s) that you have indicated above? What unique talents, abilities,
passions or perspectives will you bring to those positions in particular?

Tonight's homework to be discussed in class tomorrow

Look through your local newspaper and find 10 news leads you like. Write a paragraph about why you like them and how they are effective. Bring them to class and share why you like them. See if you can findthe Five W's and H in each lead.

A reminder that your brochures are due on Thursday, 9/27... no late assignments will be accepted.

Sample News Story from the Lady or the Tiger assignment

Lover of princess killed in trial: Did the princess play a part in the outcome?

By Starr Sackstein

The crowd watched on as the princess’s lover selected the door which would lead to his death.

It had been speculated by many that perhaps the princess would offer leniency to her lover and save him from potential doom.

Sources close to the princess have stated, “Her decision had been indicated in an instant, but it had been made after days and nights of anguished deliberation. She had known she would be asked, she had decided what she would answer, and, without the slightest hesitation, she had moved her hand to the right.”

Was this gesture in fact the hint that the lover was waiting for? Citizens of the kingdom have called their king “semi-barbaric”, so it is possible that his daughter possesses the same genetic inclination.

The princess later said, “I have seen this fair creature throwing glances of admiration upon my lover, and sometimes I thought these glances were perceived and even returned.” She continued, “Now and then I had seen them talking together; it was but for a moment or two, but much can be said in a brief space; it may have been on most unimportant topics, but how could I know that? The girl was lovely, but she had dared to raise her eyes to my beloved; and, with all the intensity of the savage blood transmitted to her through long lines of wholly barbaric ancestors, I hated the woman who blushed and trembled behind that silent door.”

The king was questioned about the outcome of the event, to which he stated, “this vast amphitheatre, with its encircling galleries, its mysterious vaults, and its unseen passages, is an agent of poetic justice, in which crime is punished. Or virtue rewarded, by the decrees of an impartial and incorruptible chance.”

Only the criminal can decide his/her own fate according to the king. He just sets up the trial when necessary.

“When all the people had assembled in the galleries, and the king, surrounded by his court, sat high up on his throne of royal state on one side of the arena, he gave a signal, a door beneath him opened, and the accused subject stepped out into the amphitheatre,” stated Stockton when retelling the events from earlier that afternoon.

“When a subject was accused of a crime of sufficient importance to interest the king, public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of tile accused person would be decided in the king's arena,--a structure which well deserved its name; for, although its form and plan were borrowed -from afar, its purpose emanated solely from the brain of this man, who, every barleycorn a king, knew no tradition to which he owed more allegiance than pleased his fancy, and who ingrafted on every adopted form of human thought and action the rich growth of his barbaric idealism,” stated a citizen of the kingdom about the structure of their justice system.

Is this a fair method of justice? It is for the king and his kingdom to decide.

Homework assignment to be collected

Folks,

We spoke in class today about what makes a well-written news article and most of us discovered that it isn't as easy as it seems. Tonight I want you to reflect on your own experience. What did you have difficulties with? What came easily? What do you think you did well and what do you need to work on? Be honest with yourself and with me as this is the only way I can help you.

These reflections will be collected, so please write them on loose leaf paper or type them.

Thanks,
Ms. S

News Assignment

Good morning folks,

I spent this morning reading your first official news writing assignments and I was impressed with some of the big topics you chose to tackle. However, I also realized that we have to go back to basics. I noticed many of the same issues in all of your writing -

many of you wrote editorials and not news... there is no place for opinion in news. Tomorrow in class and for a few days we will be working on examining good news stories written by other students. I am hoping that we can talk about ways to improve our writing.

see you tomorrow... check into teacherease if you haven't already and see if you are missing work.

have a great rest of your weekend.
Ms. S

Deadlines

Good morning folks,

Deadlines are set for a reason... in the real journalism world, either you are in on time or you're not and when you aren't you end up jeopardizing your job.

For the first month or so, you will have some space... starting in October, if the assignment isn't in when due, you will get a zero (0). When 0's add up, you will fail.

Check your teacher ease often to find out how you are doing.

Have a great day...
Reminder:
tomorrow your news stories are due
tomorrow is the last day you can make up your 9/11 assignment
Monday is the last day you can make up the Lady or the Tiger assignment.

"The Most Dangerous Game" Travel Brochure

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
Due Wednesday, September 26th

Task: Journalism takes on many different forms. We have looked at news and now I want you to do something a little more creative. After reading “The Most Dangerous Game” I want you to create a travel brochure for Ship Trap Island. You will want to make the brochure appealing for people interested in traveling to an exotic place. Be creative and think outside the box. How are you going to get visitors interested in this particular location?

Steps:
Read the story and think about its assets – if you were a travel agent, what kinds of details would you use to make people interested in it?
Select several features of the island that you want to play up and write a short description of them.
Use Zaroff’s house as the “hotel” or lodging accommodations
Create a brochure which successfully gets the interest of potential vacationers

Tips:
Think about your audience
Select appropriate language and visuals
Use the facts and details from the story to help effectively convey your message
Ask questions if you don’t understand something

You will graded on how complete your brochure is, how effective it is in playing up the islands “highlights”, and how thoughtful you are in it’s presentation.

You will lose 5 points for every day it is late… so please get it in on time.

Independent Reading days

Good afternoon everyone,

I just wanted to say that this was our first successful independent reading day. I think for now, Wednesdays will be our reading days. We'll have a mini lesson and reading and writing time.

See you tomorrow.

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

Here is a link to our next short story. I will be distributing copies in class, but if you happen to misplace it... here it is.

http://fiction.eserver.org/short/the_most_dangerous_game.html

You are going to have to read the story and create a travel brochure for the island. Consider all of things you like when you travel or what you imagine you would like. Then try to sell Ship Trap Island to the world.

This will all make more sense when we go over it in class on Friday. The brochure will be due the following Friday - 9/28

Have a great night.

Independent reading Wednesdays

Folks,

Please remember to bring your independent reading books to class tomorrow at 8:00 am... getting to class on time is very important... we have less time on Wednesday (8:05-8:45)

You will also need your reading sourcebook...

all smiles,
Ms. S

teacherease

Good morning folks,

Just a reminder that teacherease is up and running... I will be sending out invitations with passwords for you to be responsible for the work you are given.

Stay on top of what you owe.

see you later,
Ms. S

Class review from 9/12

For those of you who were absent on Wednesday - here are the concepts we covered:
We read "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton and discussed:
irony, verbal irony and the plot diagram (consisting of 1. exposition, 2. rising actions, 3. climax, 4. falling actions, 5. resolution).
Make sure you get the notes if you weren't there. We will be having our first sourcebook (notebook) check at the end of September.

You also have a draft of news story due on Friday, Sept. 21.

Have a nice long weekend.

Lady or the Tiger homework assignment - first draft due on Monday

Student:______________________ deadline: Monday, Sept. 17th
You may email it to me over the weekend: ssackstein@schools.nyc.gov
Task: After we read The Lady or the Tiger? in class, write a news story about any the culminating events in The Lady or the Tiger? by Frank Stockton; effectively utilizing the skills specific to the genre of Journalism in alignment with New York State & New York City Standards.

Grading Scale: 0= F 1=Needs Improvement 2=C 3=B 4=A

Skills
Standards
Scale 0-4
5Ws are clear and answered effectively in the article.
· Uses an organizational structure and presents a controlling idea pertaining to the journalism genre.

The article follows the rules of the inverted pyramid.
· Use a range of organizational strategies to present information.
· Excludes extraneous information

A lead is present and used effectively.
· Clear concept of the main idea under the genre of journalism.
· Engages the reader by establishing a context and developing reader interest.

A headline is present and is engaging and effective.
· Understands the concept of “main idea” and manipulates the English language in a sophisticated manner.

Quotes are used efficiently and correctly; including both direct and indirect quotes.
· Uses paraphrase and quotation in order to communicate information most effectively.

The article is written from an objective and non-biased point of view.
· Aware of varying writing styles and purposes. Writes in alignment with the genre specific task.

The article is written using the 3rd person voice.
· Clear understanding of “Voice” utilized and follows the rules of the specific genre of journalism.

Revision and peer editing evident. Three drafts expected.
· Revise and improve early drafts by restructuring, correcting errors, and revising for clarity and effect.
· Evaluates and compares his/her own and other’s work with regard to different criteria and recognize the change in evaluations when different criteria are considered to be more important.

Grammar and sentence structure enhances, rather than debilitates the reading of the article.
· Uses standard English skillfully, applying established rules and conventions for presenting information and making use of a wide range of grammatical constructions and vocabulary to achieve an individual style that communicates effectively.


Overall grade based on expected skills and English Language Arts Standards: _______

9/11 homework and class work

Good afternoon all:

We made it through another day. We are still getting to class late... regular days class starts at 8:45 and on Wednesdays you should be in class by 8.

Tonight's homework is select an article about 9/11. Cut it out and identify the following parts: headline, lead, inverted pyramid, 5 ws and h. Make sure to type the assignment as it will be collected tomorrow. For every day it is late, you lose quality points. Please make sure to write a short reflection as well with the article. What aspect of 9/11 did your article cover? How do you feel this piece dealt with the issue?

Many of you still haven't turned in the first homework assignment from Friday, 9/7. Where you had to cut out 2 articles and identify the parts. I will not accept this assignment beyond Monday next week. Remember always that we are a newspaper class and deadlines are an essential part to getting things to function well. You miss a deadline, you get a zero and the work isn't done.

We also have the standing assignment for a news article due September 21st which is due Friday, September 21st. That is next Friday, so try to get some time to get that draft done. Use the rubrics given out in class. I will post it soon if you lost it.
Have a great night,
Ms. S

Homework rubric

HOMEWORK GRADING CRITERIA

5 *EXCELLENT WORK: Quality and effort was above and beyond expectations and was **handed in on time. Attention to detail, thoughtful and thorough in all aspects of the assignment. The presentation of the assignment showed a high degree of care and effort.

4 GOOD WORK: The assignment was completed according to the directions and was handed in on time. An honest effort was made in all aspects of the assignment. The presentation of the assignment showed an appropriate level of care and effort.

3 SATISFACTORY WORK: The assignment was handed in on time. The work fulfilled basic criteria of assignment with only one aspect deficient.

2 POOR WORK: The assignment was incomplete, and/or was not completed according to the directions and/or displayed a poor level of care and effort.

1 UNACCEPTABLE WORK: Little to no effort in all aspects of the assignment.
*** Redo the assignment.

0 *** NOT HANDED IN: Homework assignment not done or not handed in.

On-going homework assignments

Class seemed to run a little more smoothly today, but I still think we have a lot to change.
I wanted to post the on-going assignments discussed in class today and also mention that on Monday I will be collecting and checking your class work from today about identifying different parts of the news stories. You should have 2 stories with the headline, bi-line, lead, 5 ws and H pointed out. If you know what kind of lead is used, you can add that information also.

ON-GOING Assignments:

• Independent reading with logs in the reader's notebook... write the title, author and pages read along with some evidence that you read (i.e. a summary, character analysis, plot development, etc.)
• Observations - you should get out into the community and take notes of what you see around you. Notice things you hear. Use your senses! Write everything down because anything can become a story. Keep these observations in the writer's notebook.
  

First Day - New start time

It was great to finally meet the class as it will be... maybe. Class will now be starting at 8:45 and will last until 9:50 on days 1 and 3. On day 2 class will begin at 8.

For tomorrow, please go over your syllabus. Make sure to annotate it... what do you know, what do you need to know and what do you have questions about?

Looking forward to an inspiring year.

Newspaper Confusion

Good evening folks,

Just wanted to say welcome. Now that we have our official class, it is time to get things going. There will be a lot of work that will need to accomplish to get out our first paper. Hopefully, by the end of the first trimester, we can get out at least a 4 pager based on the events of our second year...

let's get a discussion going on potential topics for our first issue... timely things that when it comes out in late October/November or so...

more to come.

signing off,
Ms. Sackstein