Headline Quiz

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Headline Quiz
How to Do a
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Formatting Your Article

• Tape or staple two pieces of paper together
• Fold the paper into four equal columns
• Leave three spaces across the page for an
  eye-grabbing headline
• On the left, draw a picture box one column wide
  and nine spaces deep
• Begin your article in the first column below the
  picture

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Directions for Speak

• Imagine you are a reporter acting on a tip about
  what happened at Melindas high school on the day
  she was attacked
• Your task is to report what happened
• Provide necessary background information so
  readers will understand the context of events
• Include at least two direct citations
  (parenthetically noted) of people familiar with
  the crime

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Formula for a Well-Written News Article

• First Paragraph In your first one or two
  sentences tell who, what, when, where, and why.
  Try to hook the reader by beginning with a clever
  or surprising statement. Go for variety try
  beginning your article with a question or a
  provocative statement.   (75 words)
• Second/Third/Fourth Paragraphs Give the reader
  the details. Include one or two quotes from
  people involved with the case. Write in the third
  person (he, she, it, they.) Be objective (never
  state your opinion). Use quotes to express
  others' opinions. (75 words each)

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• Last Paragraph
• Wrap it up somehow (don't leave the reader
  hanging. Please don't say, "In conclusion" or
  "To finish..." (yawn!) Try ending with a quote or
  with your own catchy phrase. (75 words)
• Writing Tips
• Use active words (verbs that show what's really
  happening.)
• Write about the really interesting info first!

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Rubric

• Has a catchy headline that encourages people to
  read the article
• Contains the most important information in the
  first paragraph
• Covers in depth who, what, when, where, why, and
  how
• Uses your best English and remains objective or
  un-opinionated
• Contains at least two direct citations (with
  parenthetical citations)
• Relatively free of grammatical, mechanical, and
  spelling errors
• Neatly printed, not hand-written