Literacy Test Preparation News Report

Parts of a News Report Students Achieve 100% Headline: the title of the article. made up of 10 words or less introduces the article's topic captures the readers' interest Subheading: an expansion of the Headline. is not always included in an article By-line: line that introduces the article's author sometimes includes the author's occupation. Summary Lead: the opening paragraph. consists of 1-2 sentences is usually less that 30 words in length contains the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How (5Ws and H) of the article. Fact-based Paragraphs: the rest of the article. short paragraphs that expand on the 5Ws and H is organized from most to least important information include quotations from key people involved in or related to the information in the article Students Achieve 100% 100% OSSLT Pass Rate for Louise Arbour's Students X. M. Plar STAFF WRITER Brampton, Ontario - The staff and students of Louise Arbour Secondary School celebrated yesterday after learning that 100% of their Grade 10 students, as well as all previously eligible students, who wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on March 31st, 2011 passed both sections. The 400 students who wrote the test were informed of their successful results last week by mail, but the official whole-school results were released yesterday by EQAO, the Ministry organization that facilitates the administration of the provincial test. "The students did an outstanding job," stated Ms. Galen, the principal of Louise Arbour S.S. today in a brief phone interview, "I couldn't be more proud!" When asked about the unprecedented successful results of her school's students, Galen revealed that the students had been prepared throughout the year for the March 31st test. "The students were invited to workshops, were offered resources, and were taught literacy skills cross-curricularly throughout the year." Upon hearing the news of their high pass rate, the principal declared the last hour of yesterday's school day to be a time for celebration. Music was broadcast throughout the school's classroom LCD projectors. "The preparation and excellent results shows the goal of our students: Honour and Excellence," Ms. Galen said with a smile.

Literacy Test Task: Write a news report based on a headline and picture Make up the facts and information (Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) Relate your newspaper report to both the headline and the picture Focus on the purpose and audience: to report on an event for the readers of a newspaper Write only on the lined space provided

Example Headline: “Car wash a great success”

What to do BEFORE you write: Read all instructions carefully Read all questions before reading the text Read the title, headings and look at the picture for clues about the topic Make notes or highlight important information as you read

Writing the news report Analyse the picture and Headline to determine the topic of the article Identify the 5Ws and H (who, what, where, when, why, and how) of your article Create an interesting Summary Lead that includes the 5Ws and H of your article

Write short paragraphs (2-3 sentences in length) based on the 5Ws and H in your Summary Lead. Organize your paragraphs from the most to least important information Add quotations to your paragraphs (by people involved in or related to your article’s topic). Use words like “said” or “says” before each quote Stay objective. Bias in a quote is allowed, but do not add your own opinions as a journalist Provide a caption for the photograph included with the new report

Tips for Success F.A.M.E.

Fill in all lines The lines provided for you outline the expected length of your answers If you write more than the space provided, you will receive a mark of zero on that question Use the rough work areas to help you plan your answer before writing it in the lines provided Write clearly and to the point

Answer all questions Do NOT leave any of the questions blank You do not lose marks for incorrect answers, but you will receive failing marks for unanswered questions Answer in complete sentences

Make notes as you read Underline, circle or highlight important instructions and key words in the questions to make sure that you understand what you are being asked to do Make notes throughout the text to identify important information such as the 5Ws and H and the topics of each paragraph

Edit your work Review and edit all parts of your work Check to see that you have answered all questions fully and correctly Correct any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors Add to your answers if you have not filled in all of the lines for the long writing tasks