Name___________________________________Date___________Class_____________

Journalism/8^th Grade/Celano

Overview of Journalism:

While studying journalism in this class you will be introduced to a variety of journalistic genres or types of writing. Furthermore, you will learn to think as and to write as a journalist writes by examining actual journalistic publication models.

In addition, you will read a novel or excerpts of a novel from which you will elicit the material for the journalistic pieces that you craft. As you create drafts of different genres, you will compile a portfolio from which you will select at least one piece to revise, edit, and publish in a “pseudo class newspaper.”

The culmination of the quarter-long course will be some type (electronic or handwritten) of formal publication in which all students’ work will be showcased.

Expectations and Supplies:

I expect you to work collaboratively with your peers in a diligent manner to learn some important fundamentals of journalism. Moreover, you can anticipate a challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable learning endeavor as we explore the avenues of journalism and create models of journalistic pieces.

Come prepared daily with a blue or black pen, a red pen, a pencil, an eraser, a spiral notebook in which to write your drafts and to take notes, and the novel I issue to you.

I will supply you with portfolio folders, a place in which to store them in the classroom, artistic supplies (when necessary), and access to technology when possible.

Tentative Weekly Goals:

(Depending on time constraints, we may work ahead or fall behind in regard to this prospectus.)

Week 1:

· Learning: Vocabulary of journalism, genres, media, layout, audiences, impact of photographs, and inverted pyramid method of writing.

· Writing: Initiate portfolio development.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Week 2:

· Learning: Censorship and Freedom of the Press, ethical writing, and methods for conducting an interview.

· Writing: Continue initiation of portfolio development.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Week 3:

· Learning: News articles and continuation of conducting an interview.

· Writing and Interviewing: Draft a news article, and conduct an interview.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Week 4:

· Learning: Feature articles.

· Writing: Draft a feature article.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Week 5:

· Learning: Entertainment, advice, and editorial articles.

· Writing: Draft an entertainment, advice, and/or editorial article.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Week 6:

· Learning: Sports articles.

· Writing: Draft a sports article.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Weeks 7 and 8:

· Learning: Revising and editing techniques.

· Writing/Revising/Editing: Peer-Revise and peer-edit selected article from portfolio.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.

Weeks 9-10:

· Learning/Review: Newspaper layout and filler pieces (comic strips, announcements, surveys, advertisements, and classified ads).

· Writing/Publishing: Draft final articles, layout newspaper, and publish newspaper.

· Reading: Journalistic models and excerpts from a novel.