News & News Judgment

Key Concepts: The definition of news and how it has changed over time. The definition of news and how it has changed over time. The main qualities and elements of news. The main qualities and elements of news. How to measure news value by audience interest and need. How to measure news value by audience interest and need. How to generate story ideas. How to generate story ideas.

What is news? Anything that an audience will find accurate, informative, and interesting. Anything that an audience will find accurate, informative, and interesting.

Two Kinds of News: Hard Newswhat you need to know, in the judgment of the editors. Hard news is important. Hard Newswhat you need to know, in the judgment of the editors. Hard news is important. Soft Newswhat the editors think youd enjoy knowing. Soft news is interesting. Soft Newswhat the editors think youd enjoy knowing. Soft news is interesting.

Qualities of News: Objectivityshowing a story from all sides and trying to remain neutral. Objectivityshowing a story from all sides and trying to remain neutral. Balancepresenting a mix of information that matches the mix of the audience. Balancepresenting a mix of information that matches the mix of the audience.

What is news judgment? Its the process of deciding what is news. Its the process of deciding what is news. It is not something that you are born with, but you can obtain through experience. It is not something that you are born with, but you can obtain through experience. There are 12 elements that guide editors news choices. There are 12 elements that guide editors news choices.

The 12 Elements: Timelinessits no use to print if everyone already knows. Timelinessits no use to print if everyone already knows. Conflictcontroversy drives news. If theres a problem somewhere, you should write about it. Conflictcontroversy drives news. If theres a problem somewhere, you should write about it. Proximitydoes it have to do with the people around us? Proximitydoes it have to do with the people around us?

More Elements: Impactis it going to affect any of your readers? Impactis it going to affect any of your readers? Prominenceis the person or thing youre writing about well-known? Prominenceis the person or thing youre writing about well-known? Oddityreport the unusual, not the routine. Oddityreport the unusual, not the routine. Dramagoes along with conflict. Dramagoes along with conflict.

More Elements: Space and Timedo you have enough space in your publication to cover everything? Space and Timedo you have enough space in your publication to cover everything? Audiencejournalists must be sensitive to their audiences needs. Audiencejournalists must be sensitive to their audiences needs. Policyshould be set up before the first publication. Policyshould be set up before the first publication.

Last Elements: Competitionwhat are the other papers going to print? Competitionwhat are the other papers going to print? PresentationWhat is going to look best in your publication? PresentationWhat is going to look best in your publication?

Activity: Lets look at some real publications. Would the elements of the story be relevant for Butler County High School? Using your papers, find 5 stories that you would print in your own publication. Lets look at some real publications. Would the elements of the story be relevant for Butler County High School? Using your papers, find 5 stories that you would print in your own publication.

Generating Story Ideas: Story ideas come naturally to some and others have difficulty coming up with something to write about. Story ideas come naturally to some and others have difficulty coming up with something to write about.

The Beat System This system can split up a community or a school into certain areas and a reporter is assigned to a certain beat. This system can split up a community or a school into certain areas and a reporter is assigned to a certain beat.

Tips from Readers Most readers will tell you what they would like to read about and are happy to give ideas to reporters. Most readers will tell you what they would like to read about and are happy to give ideas to reporters.

Brainstorming Duh Duh Can be two or three reporters or the entire staff. We will be having staff meetings on Mondays to discuss what is being worked on for the week. Can be two or three reporters or the entire staff. We will be having staff meetings on Mondays to discuss what is being worked on for the week.

Know Whats Happening in your school Pay attention to whats going on around you. Pay attention to whats going on around you.