WRITING NEWS INTERVIEWS
STANDARDS: Language Arts - Listening and Speaking, grade 7/8, Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication, 1.4
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
* Students will learn how to narrow the topic of interest.
* Students will project and analyze the intended audience
* Students will learn the importance of asking open-ended questions and how to
draft them.
CONDITIONS: This lesson requires one class period.
INTRODUCTION:
Interviews happen all the time. When we hear the word interview, we think about job interviews. We are not going to focus on job interviews. We are going to zoom in on news writing interviews. People on television or radio, interview a variety of individuals from different backgrounds. The skills of an interviewer are vital to the success of the interview. If you don't think so, check the television rating on the various talk show hosts. Some people prefer to watch Oprah, and others prefer Jerry Springer. Sports fans like certain radio broadcasters. These listeners have become loyal fans of the interviewers. Interviewing appears to be an easy task at times, but it is not. It takes a lot of hard work by many people before, during, and after the interview.
ACTIVITIES:
Individual Activities:
Step 1. Introduce the lesson by sharing a story, report, quote, or question.
For example, here is a report about Youth Employment in Richmond, California. After introduction, inform students on how to choose and narrow down a topic.
Step 2. Choose a topic. Read over the list of topics on the chalkboard.
(draft a list of topics related to teens' interest). Jot down three topics
that interest you. Hand out graphic organizer.
Step 3. Brainstorm on your three topics for about 15- 20 minutes.
For each topic write down ten facts or ideas in sentences.
Step 4. Choose and narrow topic. Pick a topic that interests you the most and that you
want to learn more about. Fill out the chart and write a statement describing why
you chose your topic.
Group Activities:
Step 5. After recording choices, students are to share their written responses
with a partner. They are to share about their brainstorming process on the topic of their choice. They are to describe why they made that choice.
Step 6. Call on a few volunteers to verbalize their written responses for the
entire class.
Follow-up Activity
Step 7. Homework assignment is to research your topic. Gather facts about
your topic. Explore books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias,
video documentaries, or internet. You must use at least two of the
above resources. Jot down notes as you go along. These notes will
be used to draft questions for interviews later.
Step 8. Give students handout on note taking.
Introduce the next two lessons. The next lesson will be on introductions.
After introductions, we will be drafting questions for interviews.
MATERIALS: Overhead projector/chalkboard
MODIFICATIONS/ACCOMMODATIONS: Pair exceptional writer with a developing writer. Use visual aides in giving instructions. Check frequently for comprehension. Teacher circulates around the around the room to check on topic selection.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: Teacher observation using Life Skills' Rubric, for cooperation, initiative, and use of resources.