Unit 6

What Are Our Connections to the Past?

Activity

Writing a News Article

Read the first paragraph on page 139 of Literacy in Action 6B.  Then, read the radio newscast about the H.M.S. Sapphire on page 151 of Literacy in Action 6B.


This radio newscast report is written in a similar fashion to the articles you read in the Reading Selections.
Click each coloured row for information about the activity.

Features of News Articles


The Features of News Article (listed in the text box on this page to the left) outlines the key elements you need in your news article.

Most news articles are written in inverted pyramid format such as the one below.



Document: Assignment 6-3 
Click here to download
Printer-Friendly Version

Download PDF


  1. Download the document Assignment 6-3.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:

In the news article you will write, include the following:

  • The headline (title) should be catchy to capture the readers' interest.
  • The reporter's name should be written in the byline.
  • The name of the place where the story happened (placeline) should begin the first paragraph.
  • The first paragraph is called a lead.  It opens with who, what, when, where, and why and how.   
  • In news reports and newscasts,the key details are ordered from most important to least important simple, true facts and details. 
  • In the body of the news article, in the second paragraph, included details, facts and examples that explain further how and why the incident happened.  Include quotation(s) from a bystander or someone who was interviewed for the article.
  • Conclude with any additional information the reader may want to know.
  • To make a newscast or news article come to life, add descriptive language.
  • Avoid using I.  Write in the third person.

Features of News Articles

A good news article has:


  • an introduction
  • a purpose (to inform)
  • an audience
  • answers to key questions and additional details of interest in the middle paragraphs
  • a conclusion
  • a title, may have subtitles, could have images

To prepare the information you have compiled for your topic, you will use the following:


Open

Open Your File

Open your Five Ws and H Graphic Organizer Chart: Report Planning Chart. You previously saved this file in this format: jsmith_reportplanner in your Documents folder.
Skill Builder

Skill Builder

To learn How to Write a News Article, view this website or this
.





Document: Radio Newscast Planner
Click here to download
Printer-Friendly Version

Download PDF


  1. Download the document Radio Newscast Planner.
  2. For your guidance, also download a completed Radio Newscast Planner for the Sapphire.
  3. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:


Document: Radio Newscast Planner for the Sapphire
Click here to download
Printer-Friendly Version

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  2. Name your Radio Newscast Planner file in this format: jsmith_newscastplanner and save the file to your Documents folder.

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  2. Name your Assignment 6-3 in this format: jsmithla6_6-3-news and save the file to your Documents folder.

Summative Assessment

  1. This worksheet is for marks.
  2.  Be sure to save it in your Documents folder and when it is completed, submit it on the appropriate page.