what is news assignment

What I want you to know:
1. What news is
2. What "news values" are part of news
3. How "audience" affects news content
4. Different types of news
5. The journalist's role in news



In the links and assignments column, read the article "What is news"

Over the course of this assignment, you will present and explain portions of the article to the class. These explanations will be as part of a group or team, but everyone is required to say something individually as well.

Form four groups. Presentations will be based on weekly assignments. In other words, group one will present the week one assignments on presentation days.

All groups, read the article, indicated weekly below, and answer the questions from the reading assignment. All groups answer all the questions each week.

In your answers and presentations be sure you comment on  the following:

Week one
1. Include at least five "news values". Explain what each one means.
2. How does the intended audience affect news?
3. What are the two types of news mentioned? Explain what each means.
4. Describe, define and explain the three basic origins of new stories.

Week two
5. Read "The Journalist's Role".
a. How is a journalist different from a propagandist or gossip?
b. How does the concept of independence enter into the role of a journalist?
6. Read "Objectivity and Fairness".
a. What was the original meaning of the term "objectivity"?
b. Explain the concept of "objectivity" after 1996.
c. From reading the last three paragraphs, comment on  fairness and balance. If there are two or more sides to a story, should equal time or space be given to all groups? Why or why not?

Week three
7. Read "News Providers"
a. Describe, define and explain these news sources-newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the internet. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each.
b. What are some of the "additional skills" today's journalists may need?
8. Discuss the principles of journalism in a democratic society

Week four
9. List one example of fair and balanced news as well as one example that is not fair and balanced. Explain why you believe this is true.


Week five
Presentations

Your grade: 

Assessment for written responses:

Your responses should be brief, but thorough, containing all the most important information from the text. You could think of these as notes that you will use for your presentation.

Rubric:
1. Responses contain thorough and adequate information in  answers to the questions asked about the text read. 4 points. 100-93.
2. Responses contain sufficient information in  answers to the questions asked about the text read. 3 points. 92-85.
3. Responses contain limited information in  answers to the questions asked about the text read. 2 points. 84-75.
4. Responses contain limited information in  answers to the questions asked about the text read. 1 point. 74-50.

The presentation:
1. Tell me what you are going to tell me
2. Tell me (details and explanation)
3. Tell me what you told me

Also,

Keep it simple and brief, with minimal text. 3 minutes maximum.
This does not have to be PowerPoint, but does have to have visuals.
Everyone in the group should speak (notecards?).

Have fun. Be creative.
Rap it
Cheer it
Perform it
Make it fun and exciting



Assessment for presentation:


Presentation rubric: (maximum of 20 points for each category)

_____ Speaking and research skills could facilitate interviewing and other oral communication activities.

_____ Evidence of language skills, demeanor, and attire to cultivate success and good public relations.

_____ Journalistic vocabulary common to the industry to speaking, listening, and writing activities.

_____Legal and ethical journalistic standards applied to presentation activities.

_____ Clarity of explanation, in terms of the explanation content, plus vocalization and speech.


Audience Participation rubric:
1. Individual pays total attention to presentation. 100 points.
2. Individual uses electronic devices, internet, computers, talks, sleeps or otherwise does not pay respectful attention to presenters. 50 points possible deduction.