NEWS WRITING INTERVIEWS
STANDARDS: Language Arts- Listening & Speaking, grade 7/8, Comprehension, 1.1, 1.2; Analysis & Evaluation of Oral and Media Communication, 1.7
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
Student will learn to draft open-ended questions that elicits information.
Student will practice making introductions in-class and asking probing questions. Student will set-up interviews.
Student will provide feedback to interviewee.
CONDITIONS: This lesson requires two-three class periods.
INTRODUCTION:
Interviewing people is an effective way of obtaining real news. Interviews cannot be done haphazardly. The interviewer must prepare for them in advance in order to retrieve certain information. The interviewer must acquire prior knowledge about the topic so, he/she can stay focused on the purpose of the interview. The interviewer also must take time to draft some open-ended questions. He/she must solicit for interviews. When the interview is set-up, the interviewer must keep the appointment and come with necessary resources to accomplish the task.
ACTIVITIES
Step 1. A good interview starts with an effective lead. Ask students, what is a
lead? An effective way to start a story is with the subject speaking. The subject of the story can say one particularly interesting, pithy or powerful thing. The interview can be started with a simile, metaphor, or question. Here are some examples:
"Does the Minimum Wage Effect Teenage Employment?"
"A large majority of scholarly studies demonstrate that increasing the
federal minimum wage causes higher unemployment. Those who suffer
are most likely to be teenagers, racial minorities & low-skilled workers."
Step 2. Ask students the definition of an open-ended question. Then, Please give me an example of one.
Step 3. Give students handout on Writing An Interview.
Discuss the difference between closed-ended and open-ended questions.
Here are some examples of open-ended questions from an interview on
the topic is "Youth Employment Crisis". These questions were drafted
before the interview. The manager of Youth Works was interviewed on
above topic.
What is Youth Works?
What are the goals of Youth Works?
What is the problem regarding youth employment?
What is the solution to the just mention problems?
How has the increase minimum wage affected youth employment?
What types of jobs are available for youth during the summer time?
Where do the youth workers come from?
Do the workers receive orientation during the program?
How many hours do the youth workers work per week?
How many students did the program help employ this summer?
What is the retention rate of youth completing the summer program?
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Step 4. Ask students to take out their notes on their topic, so they can use them to write-up questions. Instruct students to draft a lead and seven open-ended questions. At the end instruct students to include a summary lead, too. For example, "Is there anything else you'd like to say?"
Step 5. Provide students a script of questions for an interview. Handout: Practice Scripts on Favorite Sport and Television Show. They can practice in-class. Students should use guidelines for preparing and conducting interviews.
Step 6. Homework: Instruct students to set-up three interviews on their topic. One of the interviewees must be an expert on the topic, the second one must be an adult, and the third must be a peer. This due on ________.
Step 7. Prepare your notes for publication. Write up your first draft and use a straight question and answer format. For example:
INTERN: What is the goal of Youth Works?
Ms. W.: The overall goal is to develop youth:
To equip students with the necessary job skills.
To assist youth in obtaining employment.
To address students' transportation issues.
To address students as a whole.
To encourage students to stay in school and graduate.
MATERIALS: Overhead projector/chalkboard, Students Handouts on Note Taking,
Writing An Interview, Practice Script for Interview, paper
MODIFICATIONS/ACCOMMODATIONS: Pair exceptional writer with a developing writer.
Use visual aides in giving instructions. Check frequently for comprehension. Teacher circulate around the around the room to check on written and oral introductions.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: Teacher observation using Life Skills' Rubric, for cooperation, initiative, creativity and completion.