AUGUST 27 AND 28 I can understand these three terms: valuable, credible, and newsworthy sources. I can assess the value, credibility, and newsworthiness of a source. I can conduct a proper interview.

You should come to the table with at least 1 current event you can talk about. Discuss Remember it is important to be aware of what is happening around you AND to do your own research. CURRENT EVENTS

The best lesson my grandparent (or parent or any other relative) ever taught me was… JOURNAL

On Friday….I will check your journals. Starting next week, your journals will be scored on the following: JOURNALS Journals are a wonderful way to express ideas. There is no right or wrong way to journal. Respond in any way that makes sense to you. Be creative! Use your imagination! You may include illustrations, but the goal is to work with your words. A5 points3/4ths of a page B4 points2/3rds of a page C3 points1/2 of a page D2 points1/3rd of a pages No make-up journals (absent = 0 points) Students must write silently for 10 minutes. One point will be deducted if a student is off-task, disruptive, or "finished early”

Last class period, we researched a famous U.S. landmark. You were to write down 3 facts about the landmark and the URL you used to find the information. We also discussed credible, valuable, and newsworthy sites. – Credible: gives reliable, believable information – Valuable: gives information that might be useful depending on the research – Newsworthy- gives information that one could expect in a newspaper – All the above… Using this information, decide where you think the site you used for your research would fall…credible, valuable, newsworthy, or all the above. Explain. CREDIBLE, VALUABLE, OR NEWSWORTHY ???

News can be defined as "Newsworthy information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by news media". But what makes news newsworthy? Five Factors are considered when deciding if a story is newsworthy. When an editor needs to decide whether to run with a particular story, s/he will ask how well the story meets each of these criteria. Normally, a story should perform well in at least two areas NEWSWORTHY WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

1.Timing- topics must be current with the latest updates 2.Significance- the number of people affected by the story is important 3.Proximity- Stories that happen near you/readers, or have a particular bond or similarity have the same effect 4.Prominence- famous people get more coverage because they are famous… 5.Human Interest- often disregards main rules of newsworthiness…usually appeal to emotion, evoke a response 5 FACTORS FOR DETERMINING IF SOMETHING IS NEWSWORTHY

You will need to find at least 3 more sources for your landmark research and complete the 4 column chart (credible, valuable, newsworthy, all the above). Find one source for each category. Explain why you placed each source in a particular column. NEXT…

THE PERFECT INTERVIEW Tips and tricks to getting the most out of your sources

PREPARATION Pick your source. 1. What do you want from the source? 2. Avoid the same-old same-old. Get to know your source. 1. Research the issue. 2. Research the person. Know where you want your interview to go. 1. Have some idea of how you want to incorporate the source into your article. 2. Prepare your questions ahead of time.

THE BASICS Location. Location. Location. 1. Interviews should always be in person. 2. Find a place where your source is comfortable. 3. Sit down with your source. Introduce Yourself 1. Its basic etiquette. Shake their hand. 2. Tell them you're a writer/editor for The Surveyor.

TIPS AND TRICKS 1. Find the balance between conversation and getting information. 2. Don't try to write everything down. 3. Be a little annoying. 4. Be a little sneaky. Keep taking notes. 5. Get their emotional connection to the issue. 6. Endure awkward silences. 7. Be explicit with if you aren't getting what you need.

MORE TIPS AND TRICKS 8. Avoid biases. 9. Nod your head instead. 10. Don't be afraid to get interesting information. 11. Report the interesting story. 12. Most importantly quote your sources accurately! 13. Bring a buddy. 14. Don't be nervous, they're likely excited to talk to you.

FINISHING UP Make sure you have all the information. 1. Ask if they would like to add anything. 2. Avoid call backs. 3. Ask if there is anyone else you should talk with. Thank your source. 1. You'll likely be able to use them as a future source. 2. Again its basic etiquette.

USING WHAT YOU KNOW… Find someone in class who has visited a famous landmark (or otherwise newsworthy place) and interview them. – Keep in mind the tips and tricks for a good interview – Keep in mind the number of questions you will need to ask in order to get enough information to produce a story. – Keep in mind the research you will have to do to verify the facts. – You may also want to interview more than one person. – Remember, try not to go back to your interviewee after the initial interview. After you have conducted your interview, do any research necessary to verify your facts. Then “feature” create a story – At least 250 words HAVE FUN!!!!