Royal Coverage

To really immerse your students in a multitude of coverage techniques, have them follow the royal wedding for the next two weeks.  Leading up to the big event, we've already been bombarded with random facts, details about the ceremony, and features on royal people we never knew existed.

Here is the link to CNN's daily site which follows the royals every step of the way.  You can also create a class discussion or perhaps an editorial on celebrity status in society OR how this event has become such a hyped global phenomenon.

CNN Royal Coverage

Proofreading Marks

Great site for quick guide proofreading marks.

http://www.espressographics.com/files/proofread.pdf

On-line Advertising Types

Those of you starting on-line newspapers, here is a great link which outlines the types of ads you can embed in your publication.  Have your students create video advertorials to practice their objective writing skills and tinker with video editing.

On-line Ad Types

Model Releases

The story link below is the perfect example of why all publications should have a model release.  Whether a public or private school, the registration form the parents sign at the beginning of the school year should contain a phrase that reads, "my child may be photographed for educational purposes."  Consult the school attorney as to the legal wording necessary to clear any photos taken of students on your campus.

The instance below is a sample of false light.  The model's photo was used for a purpose other than he intended.  Although many subjects sign a waiver that states the image may be used in any way the publication deems appropriate, falsification of the message accomplished through altering an image is unethical.

Fireman Photo Altered

News Story Exercise

Hopefully, you all had a wonderful break.  As a review and warm up activity, I pull out the old writing prompt, "What I did on my spring break."  The students write a 10 minute quick write, then I turn the tables.  They must pair up  and interview each other about their break based on the prompt their partner has written.  The questions/interview they can conduct in 15 minutes becomes the material they must use to create a news story.

This throws them back into interview mode, and the exercise serves as a quick review for news writing.  They also must share their stories in class.  Then, we dissect leads, high interest words, use of quotes, etc...to further the writing review.