NEWS WRITING INTERVIEWS
STANDARDS: Language Arts- Listening & Speaking, grade 7/8, Comprehension, 1.1, 1.2
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
* Student will learn to prepare simple, brief introductions that will create a bond
between the speaker and listener and also create interest in the topic.
ˇ Student will practice making introductions in-class.
CONDITIONS: This lesson requires one class period.
INTRODUCTION:
Making an introduction seem like an easy task that only takes a minute. It appears to be insignificant, but it is not. Introductions are very important. They provide an opportunity to make good impressions, learn names, titles, positions, and other vital information. It is a time to start building rapport.
There are different kinds of introductions, such as introducing one person to another, introducing yourself, and introducing one person to a group. We will only focus on the last two types of introductions.
ACTIVITIES:
Individual activities:
Step 1. Have you ever stumbled during an introduction? Point out that we make mistakes when we introduce ourselves to someone. Share an experience if possible. Poll the class to find volunteers who will share their personal experience with the class.
Step 2. The most frequent introduction we make is to introduce yourself to others.
Here are a few tips when introducing yourself to someone:
Smile.
Say your name.
Shake the person's hand firmly.
Share some detail information about yourself that relates to the
situation and maintain eye contact.
Here is a simple and basic introduction. "Hi, I'm, Terry Moore," (smiling
and extending my hand out for a firm handshake) "I'm a student here at
Hamilton Middle School. I'm a news reporter for the Hamilton Hawks
Press. I'm doing an article on last week marching band competition. I
want to know if you are available for an interview?"
Step 3. Have students create an introduction of themselves and write in their journal.
Group activities:
Step 4. Have students to pair and share their introduction. Ask their partner to
provide feedback.
Step 5. Another type of introduction is introducing one person to a group.
Here is an example,
Today's speech is entitled "Youth Employment Crisis
in Richmond." Our speaker is the City Manager of Richmond who is
responsible in providing jobs and funds for employment. He also played an intricate part in creating summer jobs for teens. I would like to present our soft-spoken and articulate speaker - Mr. Isiah Turner."
Step 6. Students are to prepare an introduction. As a student council member,
introduce a speaker to the student body. Each student needs to find a
peer to introduce to the student body. They are to gather relevant
information for the introduction. Write down introduction in their journal.
State the exact title of the speech
Share why the topic is of interest to the audience
Highlight the speaker's credentials, qualifications, achievements,
or accomplishments, especially those relevant to the topic.
State the speaker's first and last names and his or her title.
Pause before giving the speaker's name and title will direct
the audience attention to the speaker. Look at the speaker
during the pause. When saying the speaker's name, look at the
audience because it is utmost importance. You want the audience
hear it.
Step 7. Ask for volunteers to share their introductions.
MATERIALS: Overhead projector/chalkboard
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.