Friday, January 11...news article / midterm info

REMINDER; next Friday is your midterm, which will take place in class. This is 25% of this marking-period's grade. Continue reviewing the grammar exercises. The test will consist of 50 multiple choice sentences that will be taken directly from the material you have been studying. I will select sentences that are straight forward and follow the general- not exceptions- rules.

Due next Friday: another news article. The seniors have the Winter Edition of the Sotacrat and Chronicle. I put up 8 articles from the last time you wrote, but would like to include many more. Since the following week, I have no required instructional time, I will be able to edit and publish your articles.

This is the same as previously. You may write on any topic you chose. I've listed some ideas below.

Review summary of how to write your news story:

Headline. The title of your news article should be catchy and to the point. You should punctuate your title using AP style guidelines, which means a few things: the first word is capitalized, but (unlike other styles) words after the first word are typically not. Of course, you will capitalize proper nouns. Numbers are not spelled out. Examples:

• Lost dog finds his way home
• Debate tonight in Jasper Hall
• Panel chooses 3 essay winners

Byline: This is your name! The byline is the name of the writer. Lead: The lead is the first paragraph, but it is written to provide a detailed preview of the entire story. It summarizes the story and includes all of the basic facts. The lead will help readers decide if they want to read the rest of the story, or if they are satisfied knowing these details. For this reason, the lead may contain a hook. (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How) Quote: validate your story with source words. The Story: Once you’ve set the stage with a good lead, you follow up with a well-written story that contains facts from your research and quotes from people you’ve interviewed. The article should not contain your opinions.
Photo: Ideally, you take your own, but you may use something from the internet. This must be submitted with your story.

Rites of passages

first kiss; first date; first traffic ticket, first sport first, detention- any one for Saturday school?, etc

clubs

popular lingo

pranks

body art

school lunch- new stuff this year-m nutritional angle

volunteering- where, who?

personalized car plates

parking lot woes

school security

teen pressures

measuring up to older siblings

bumper stickers

passing time activities

alternative sports: ultimate Frisbee, paintball, skateboarding, etc.

Friday nights;

church youth groups

how students learn

internet in the classroom

holiday traditions

staying motivated while being second team (sitting on the bench)

personalizing lockers

student home pages

super heroes

defining Generation X

over-extended students

faculty quirks

what people collect

grandparents

field trips

weighted grades

riding the bus

jobs

inhibitions

lost and found

student car culture

tardy/absence excuses

behind the scenes: sports, teams, theatre, music

cost of playing sports

biggest fears

favorite expressions

raising funds

when teachers went to high school

driver’s education

what makes a good teacher

moms in the stands

ACT/SAT testing/ any testing!

choosing a college

sports injuries

 superstitions

television viewing

telephone / texting

•Upcoming senior events: prom / art shows / musical and theatre performances

• events at school that people will talk about for a long time.

•Differences between big and small schools.

•Why do kids transfer to other schools?

•What affect do transfers have?

•Drug use among students.

•lunchroom offerings, such as healthy choice and vegetarian.

•Class sizes, and how they vary at different schools.

•vehicles- what are folks driving

•Feature page on fashions.

•Profiles of students.: Foreign Exchange Students

"A Day In The Life" of whoever (The nerd, jock, cheerleader...)

* Do A Fashion Review: thrift

* Feature the teenage mother who's still trying to finish school ( keep it positive. She gets enough crap as it is.)

* Do a shopping review of stores in the area that are having great sales

* Ask why kids are taking the classes that they're taking (are there trends?)