Session 2: Turning Moments of Drama into Cogent (clear) Newscasts  Today I will show you a video clip of a classroom. Your job is to witness what happens and find some moments that could be news stories. When you do, remember that you are writing for readers who have not seen what you saw. Either they weren’t here or they didn’t notice what you did. They’re depending on you to bring these stories to life for them.

Today’s Teaching Point  Journalists notice potential news stories around them. They are alert to moments of drama, looking for the out-of-the-ordinary, for heightened emotions, or for a storyline that occurs underneath the main sequence of events. They use their observations, along with information about the event, as the basis for newscasts.

Capturing Small Dramas  As you watch the video, be sure to write down possible story ideas that you can use later. Look for the hidden dramas in the scene.  Kindergarten Cop Kindergarten Cop  As you watch the video, be sure to write down possible story ideas that you can use later. Look for the hidden dramas in the scene.  Kindergarten Cop Kindergarten Cop

Capturing the Small Drama  See how I took a look at what happened and found ideas for potential news articles. Here are some notes I wrote in my writer’s notebook as possible story ideas.  Kids pouring flour on one another  Dancing on the piano  Painting the chalkboard  Running into teacher with wagon  Principal wants teacher to quit  Teacher leaves the school  Teacher returns with a ferret  See how I took a look at what happened and found ideas for potential news articles. Here are some notes I wrote in my writer’s notebook as possible story ideas.  Kids pouring flour on one another  Dancing on the piano  Painting the chalkboard  Running into teacher with wagon  Principal wants teacher to quit  Teacher leaves the school  Teacher returns with a ferret

Choosing a Moment  Now I will try to write one of these events like a newscaster. I’ll choose the moment when the principal decides not to step in.  I know I want to focus on the 5 Ws, and I also want to sound like a newscaster. A newscaster needs to be objective and get the reader interested in the facts. She needs to make the story seem important to her audience.  Now I will try to write one of these events like a newscaster. I’ll choose the moment when the principal decides not to step in.  I know I want to focus on the 5 Ws, and I also want to sound like a newscaster. A newscaster needs to be objective and get the reader interested in the facts. She needs to make the story seem important to her audience.

My Example  As the principal of Astoria Elementary School walked by room 101, she observed kindergarten students in chaos. The room was a mess. Children were standing on tables, throwing toys, and yelling. The teacher was clearly struggling for control. When asked if she would intervene, she replied, “No. Two more days of kindergarten and that teacher will be out of here.”  Do you notice how I tried to give details but stay objective at the same time? I am trying to find my ‘journalist voice.’  As the principal of Astoria Elementary School walked by room 101, she observed kindergarten students in chaos. The room was a mess. Children were standing on tables, throwing toys, and yelling. The teacher was clearly struggling for control. When asked if she would intervene, she replied, “No. Two more days of kindergarten and that teacher will be out of here.”  Do you notice how I tried to give details but stay objective at the same time? I am trying to find my ‘journalist voice.’

Choosing a Moment  You have watched the clip and collected ideas about the small dramas you witnessed.  Now, you will choose one of those moments to report about.  You will have ten minutes to write one- or if you are fast, two-stories from your first experience as a journalist. Remember, these are not supposed to be long, but they do need to capture the small dramas you witness.  You have watched the clip and collected ideas about the small dramas you witnessed.  Now, you will choose one of those moments to report about.  You will have ten minutes to write one- or if you are fast, two-stories from your first experience as a journalist. Remember, these are not supposed to be long, but they do need to capture the small dramas you witness.

Time to Share  Take a moment and look over the writing you’ve done so far. Choose your favorite line or two and underline them.  It’s important for writers to celebrate their writing along the way, so find that line or two and share it with your writing partner.  Take a moment and look over the writing you’ve done so far. Choose your favorite line or two and underline them.  It’s important for writers to celebrate their writing along the way, so find that line or two and share it with your writing partner.

Examples of Description  When you are writing like a journalist, you need to develop a laser-like focus. Think narrow spotlight, even a harsh light. Listen to these two descriptions written by a former student.  In the first piece, she was writing a fiction scene. Listen for the expansive detail and the sympathetic tone.  In the second piece, she’s writing a news story. Listen for the laser-like focus and the objective tone.  Be ready to share what you notice with your partner.  When you are writing like a journalist, you need to develop a laser-like focus. Think narrow spotlight, even a harsh light. Listen to these two descriptions written by a former student.  In the first piece, she was writing a fiction scene. Listen for the expansive detail and the sympathetic tone.  In the second piece, she’s writing a news story. Listen for the laser-like focus and the objective tone.  Be ready to share what you notice with your partner.

Example of Descriptive Fiction  Sean stood in the cool, black darkness of the third floor hallway. His palms were sweaty as he reached toward the tall glass case. Even in the utter blackness he could almost see the trophy glittering behind the glass. The golden warmth of it seemed to call to him like a siren, whispering, “Sean, I belong with you. You deserve me. Take me home.” Slowly, hands trembling, he brought out the hammer. He didn’t see the girl, who was watching from the dim shadows.

Example of Descriptive Newscasting  Only one object was taken from the case at McKinley High School. It was the trophy for the State Wrestling Championship. A single eye-witness to the theft reports that she saw a lone figure stand in front of the case, wield a blunt object-it might have been a hammer- and smash the case. As this witness shielded herself from flying shards, the perpetrator dropped the hammer and fled with the four-foot-tall trophy. McKinley has lost its first ever State Wrestling Championship trophy.

What Differences Did You Notice?  Turn to your partner and discuss the differences you found in the two descriptive pieces.

To Write a News Story, Journalists…  Find drama-the extraordinary, the hidden story in a story  Observe-not just the event but the context, including listening for quotes  Capture the 5 Ws-who, what, where, why, when (and how)  Use a journalistic tone-concise, 3 rd person, dramatic but truthful  Find drama-the extraordinary, the hidden story in a story  Observe-not just the event but the context, including listening for quotes  Capture the 5 Ws-who, what, where, why, when (and how)  Use a journalistic tone-concise, 3 rd person, dramatic but truthful

Homework  Tonight it’s important that you do three things. One: you need to read more journalism. You’re never going to capture the tone and focus of a journalist unless you’ve read a lot of journalism.  Two: Live like a journalist. Observe the things around you and see what dramas, hidden possibilities, or issues you notice. Jot down details for at least three stories.  Three: Write like a journalist. These pieces are short-get a whole one written. Try for that reporter’s focus and tone.  Tonight it’s important that you do three things. One: you need to read more journalism. You’re never going to capture the tone and focus of a journalist unless you’ve read a lot of journalism.  Two: Live like a journalist. Observe the things around you and see what dramas, hidden possibilities, or issues you notice. Jot down details for at least three stories.  Three: Write like a journalist. These pieces are short-get a whole one written. Try for that reporter’s focus and tone.