Mind Up

Lesson Two – Newspaper Article

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

JM Barrie (author of Peter Pan)

‘Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.’

• To create a text drawing upon the text structures and features of a newspaper article

• To reflect on your learning to assist in your ability to monitor and evaluate your thinking and learning skills and strategies

• I created a newspaper article relating to a RAK

• In my reflection I was able to say what skills and strategies I used today to complete all of my work

Learning Intentions

Success Criteria

Revise vocabulary• Altruism• Compassion• Empathy

Write on a piece of paper (all anonymous of course) what

your RAK (Random Act of Kindness)

Key Vocabulary •Altruism: behaviour that benefits someone else rather than oneself

•Compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for others

•Empathy: the ability to understand the feelings of others

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

BrainstormWhat do we already know about newspaper articles?

•Heading• By-line• Image• Caption for all images• Paragraphs

What do you need to now?

1. Compile all of your facts• Plan out your article before you write a news article

• Include all the pertinent facts and information that need to be included in the article

• This fact list will help prevent you from leaving out any relevant information about the topic or story and will also help you write a clean, succinct article.

2. Start with the lead•News articles begin with a leading sentence that is meant to grab a reader's attention and interest them.

• This is one of the most important parts of the piece, so start with the leading statement when writing a news article.

• Your lead should be one sentence and should simply, but completely, state the topic of the article.

3. Give all of the important details• Include all the relevant facts and details that relate to your lead statement.

• Include the basics of what happened, where and when it took place, who is involved and why it's newsworthy.

• These details are important, because they are the focal point of the article that fully informs the reader.

4. Follow up main facts with additional information• After you've listed all the primary facts in your news article, include any additional information that might help the reader learn more, such as additional facts about the topic or people involved, or quotes from interviewees.

• This additional information helps round out the article.

5. Check facts before concluding• Be sure to double check all the facts in your news article before you submit it, including names, dates, and contact information or addresses.

•Writing accurately is one of the best ways to establish yourself as a competent news article writer.

6. Remain unbiased• A news article is meant to convey direct facts, not the opinions of its writer.

• Keep your writing unbiased and objective.

• Avoid any language that is overly positive or negative or statements that could be construed as support or criticism.

7. Conclude your article•Make sure your news article is complete and finished by giving it a good concluding sentence.

• This is often a restatement of the leading statement or a statement indicating potential future developments relating to the article topic.

7 Steps1.Compile all of your facts

2.Start with the lead

3.Give all of the important details

4.Follow up main facts with additional information

5.Check facts before concluding

6.Remain unbiased

7.Conclude your article

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE PLANNER

Head Line

By-line

IntroductionIncluding what happened and

when

Photograph

Caption

Body

Review

• How did this exercise make you feel? Do you see any way in which you might take it further?

• How could you show acts of kindness in your community, in Shepparton or even outside Australia?

• What skills and strategies did you use today to complete your work?