Journalism Course Outline
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 What You Can Expect in Journalism
The purpose of this 20-week course is to provide you with yet another outlet for exploring the basic and more advanced points of the English language, and to introduce you to the world of print and broadcast media —news, opinion, commentary, ethics, media law and more. At least 10 weeks of this course is devoted to the maintenance of a local news netcast produced by the students of this course. You will be part of a team that finds, writes, edits and mixes recorded news for the weekly program, which is published on the Internet and is featured on the iTunes Store. The goal of this course is multifold:
• To teach you the basics structures of news, news feature and editorial writing
• To give you the skills to be a more resourceful researcher
• To give you the skills to become a more informed and responsible citizen
• To build character through mock and real editorial choices and decisions
• To improve listening and note taking skills through news situations
• To publish your work
• To improve all areas of writing, but emphasizing such sub-conventions as concision, consistency, transitioning, elaboration and development, using quotations and attribution
• To learn the basics of using technological tools to find, write, record, edit, mix and publish news and other recorded sounds for a local and national news show produced in this class.
• To improve skills for speaking to an audience, including pace, fluidity, volume, clarity, emphasis and breath control.
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Materials You Need for English Class — all year long
Required
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Required + Recommended |
Required
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Recommended
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| 1.5- or 2-inch binder OR a folder for work |
A sipral bound notebook + reporter's notebook |
Pens and pencils — a supply to last all year |
A flash or thumb drive to save computer work |
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Units of Study in English Class 
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• Understanding News Structures
• Gathering News
• Writing News
• Broadcast News
• Feature Writing
• Editorial Writing
• Ethics and Media Law
• American History through Journalism
Instructional Methods Used:
• Large group discussion
• Small group activities
• Individualized and self-motivated instruction
• Lecture
• Audio and video
Textbooks Used:
• Scholastic Journalism, Tenth Edition (Rolnicki, Tate and Taylor)
• Associated Press Style Book and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press) |
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Your Grade in English Class
Grading:
Your grade will be based on your tests, projects, presentations, quizzes, homework, news pieces, and other major and minor writing assignments. Each assignment is given a point value on a case by case basis, and I will tell you how much each assignment is worth when I assign it. You can also check the Homework page of myenglishclass.us to find out an assignment's point value.
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Lowest Grades Dropped:
At least one homework grade will be dropped each marking period.
Typical English Class Assignment Values:
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• Class work and homework — 5 to 20 points
• Quizzes and minor writing assignments — 10-30 points
• Tests and major writing assignments — 50 to 100 points
• Presentations and Projects — 20 to 50 points |
What's My Grade?
Let's say in a given marking period that you earned 246 points out of a possible 300. Dividing 246 by 300 gives you your grade: 0.82 or 82 percent. |
Late Work in English Class
• LATE WORK WILL NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY in Journalism class.
• Late work is discounted 10% each day it is not turned in.
• After the third day, the assignment becomes a ZERO.
• Some assignments are one time awards, meaning that if you do not complete the assignmente on time, it becomes a zero that day.
• No excuses will be accepted for late work.
• Check the Homework page for weekly assignments. |
Absent from Class for Some Reason?
• If you miss class for any reason, you are responsible for the work you miss.
• Always come to class before going to music lessons or leaving school and ask for your assignment.
• Missing class for a reason other than illness does not mean you can't do the homework.
• If you miss class Wednesday because of a dentist appointment, for instance, you are still responsible for work due Thursday. Remember that Wednesday's task was assigned on Monday — the day the assignment sheet was handed out. The "I wasn't here" excuse doesn't apply in cases like these.
• If you are unsure about an assignment, check the Homework page.
• Good students are responsible and resourceful, which means they know how to find what they're looking for and then they take care of business once they've found it. You can get what you want if you can navigate this site.
• If you are home sick from school, you have three days to make up missed work. This is your reminder.
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Find Mr. Stratton
During the School Day
- Period 1 — Rm. 230 or library/lab
- Period 9 Odd Days —Rm. 207 or library/lab
- Period 9 Even Days— Rm. 230 or fitness center
- Telephone — 642-8351
- Email Mr. Stratton from this site or sstratton@nvcs.stier.org
- After school appointments can easily be set up as well. |
