This lesson plan is the third of a series of six that explain the news-making process followed by professional journalists.
OBJECTIVES
To understand:
| Activity | Resources | Low tech alternative | |
| 1 | Video: Huw Edwards' tips | Internet access or DVD | Worksheet 3.1 |
| 2 | Beginning, middle, end | Printout from the BBC website cut into strips | Printout from the BBC website cut into strips |
| 3 | Telling a story | Same printout as activity 2 or different printouts from BBC website | None |
| 4 | Writing a script | Worksheet 3.2 | Worksheet 3.2 |
| 5 | Checking a script | Worksheet 3.2 | Worksheet 3.2 |
| 6 | Getting the point across | None | None |
STARTER ACTIVITY
1. Video: Huw Edwards' tips
Students watch this Huw Edwards video, then recollect his top tips using this worksheet.
Worksheet 3.1: Huw Edwards' top tips on writing news
1. Low tech alternative to video
Using the above worksheet students match each top tip with Huw's advice.
Teachers tip: This worksheet could also be used as a plenary activity.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
2. Beginning, middle, end
Print a news story from the BBC News or CBBC Newsround websites using the Printable version function at the top of the page.
Cut up the story into sections, two or three paragraphs in each section, or individual sentences if you wish to make the task more difficult.
NEWS IS WRITTEN INIn small groups, students place the sections in order before comparing their sequence with the original story.
Ask students:
Explain: In many genres of writing, the main point occurs in the middle, or at the end, such as a murder-mystery novel. In news, the first sentence should tell the main point and often includes the key W facts.
3. Telling a story
In pairs, students tell their partner about the last thing that interested them so much, they couldn't wait to tell someone else. That's what news is about - communicating something of interest.
Alternatively, students can use the BBC News story they re-ordered at the beginning of the lesson, or a story from the BBC News or CBBC Newsround websites, or a newspaper, and tell it to their partner in their own words.
4. Writing a script
Individually, students turns their spoken story into a script using this worksheet.
Worksheet 3.2: Writing and Assembling News
Writing one word per cell will enable students to calculate how long it will take them to read aloud, based on the average speed of a professional journalist - three words a second.
Remind students to be:
Students practice reading their scripts out loud, at three words a second. They will have another chance to do this in Lesson 6: Broadcasting news.
Teachers tips:
5. Checking a script
Ask students: Why do you think there is a School Report rule that if you are taking part in the project, you must only use the first names of anyone under 18?
Explain: The rule is to protect the identity of young people, as their work is broadcast on the internet, which can be accessed world-wide. More information on child protection .
In Pairs, students check each other's work to make sure it contains only the first names of anyone under 18, and amend where necessary.
PLENARY
6. Getting the point across
A handful of students read their scripts to the rest of the group. After each reading, ask the group: What was the main point of the story? If the majority can answer, the script is a success - it has communicated news to the audience.
For reference, teachers may like to look at previous years' resources including Lesson 3 for School Report 2006-8 .
This lesson has been approved by the
BBC College of Journalism.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~08~RS~)