Project 1: Creating Newsletters

Module 2:

Becoming Ethical Journalists

Becoming Ethnical Journalists

Unethical Journalistic Practice

A Major Journalistic Risk: Plagiarism

Planning Newsletter Content

Journalistic Writing Basics

Researching and Writing

Ethical Questions to Ask   What should be reported?

   How should information be acquired?

   How should information be presented and to whom?

   Should material which is especially graphic or explicit be published?

   Who should/should not be interviewed?

   Who should/should not be quoted?

   What should be included, and what should be left out?

Ethical Journalism

One of the main duties of a journalist is to further public enlightenment "by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues."

(The Preamble of the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists )

Exercise 2.1Unethical Journalistic Plagiarism

Discuss in your teams:• Can you provide examples of irresponsible or

unethical journalism?• Is plagiarism a major problem at your school?• How has your school dealt with issues of

plagiarism?• What have been the consequences for students

caught plagiarizing?• Summarize your team’s opinions on plagiarism

at school.

Exercise 2.2 Purpose and Audience

What will be the purpose of your team’s newsletter?

Who is the targeted audience for your team’s newsletter?

Brainstorm types of information targeted audience would find useful.

• News Report Article: A short summary, write-up, or account of a news item

• News Interview Article: A summary of an interview

• Investigative Report: Includes research that affects the audience, and the use of the data

• Speech or Event Article: Written after listening to a public speech, press conference, or some other public event

Planning Content: Newsletter Contents

4 Types of News Articles:

Additional Features ArticlesSelect at least two categories for two features articles from the list below:

• Advice Column• Editorial• Letter to the Editor• Advertisements• Comic Strip• Community Events• Arts/Entertainment• Calendar

• Announcements• Survey• Graphs• Travel Information• Weather Forecast• Personal Profiles• How-to Tips for a

Product or Service

Suggested Website Resources for Journalists

Journalism Resourceshttp://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/

Journalism Resources at Web English Teacherhttp://www.webenglishteacher.com/journ.html

PowerReporting: Resources for Journalistshttp://powerreporting.com/

Exercise 2.3Team Roles and Responsibilities

• Managing Editor: Oversees the production of the newsletter

• News Editor: Responsible for final editing of news articles

• Features Editor: Responsible for final editing of features articles

• Layout Design Editor: Responsible for overall layout and design of the newsletter

Journalistic Writing Style Basics

• News reports are objective• Writing is clear, concise and to the point• Written in the third person• Use short sentences• Includes direct quotes from witnesses or

those involved

• Factually accurate• Avoid overly wordy paragraphs

Journalistic Writing Style Basics

• Lead paragraph

– Answers the five W’s and H rule Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

– Hooks readers

• Headline is catchy

• Include appropriate sources or citations

– For help citing sources: Citation Machine

Interviewing Tips• Be prepared• Pre-write 20 questions• Make an appointment, arrive on time

dressed appropriately• Remember to bring a pencil and paper• Introduce yourself• Use good eye contact and speak clearly• Double check dates and correct spelling

of names

Interviewing Tips

• Ask open-ended questions

• Don’t ask negative questions

• Don’t promise what will be printed

• Have a note-taking system

• Write only important details down

• Use abbreviations

• If you plan on taping the interview, ask the interviewee first!

Exercise 2.4Setting up Team Folders

Exercise 2.5: Writing Your Articles

• Open Microsoft Word XP

• Create a New Document (Save the file in your team folder in the appropriate place)

• Research and write the first draft of the article

Exercise 2.6: Editing and Revising

• News Editor – edits all news articles

• Features Editor – edits all features articles and assists News Editor

• Use Reviewing and Track Changes in Word

• Article’s author accepts/rejects final editing changes