1. THE NEWS REPORT
OSSLT WORKSHOP

2. A report about a SPECIFIC EVENT
WHAT IS A NEWS REPORT?
A report about a
SPECIFIC EVENT
Many people wrote information paragraphs, or opinion pieces, etc.
THIS IS NOT A NEWS REPORT!

3. YOUR TASK
Write a news report based on the headline and picture on the next page.
You will have to make up the facts and information, answering some or all of the following questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
You must relate your newspaper report to both the headline and the picture.
Purpose and Audience: to report on an event for the readers of a newspaper
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of the writing expected.

4. TIPS FOR WRITING:
Write about 5 short paragraphs with 1-2 sentences only per paragraph.
Paragraph 1: Address When, Who, Where, What
Paragraph 2: Details on Why + 1 quotation
Paragraph 3-4: Explain the How + 1 quotation
Paragraph 5: A conclusion that wraps up the report in a meaningful way + 1 quotation
Use specific details to make it realistic – ex. not just “food,” but “pasta like spaghetti and lasagna”. Don’t just say the student said, give the student a real name  student, Shirley Tan, said “This was fun!”
Don’t skip a line for each new paragraph, a simple indent will do.
Use the picture for hints on what types of specific details to include.
Talk about what you know.
Integrate 2-3 quotations from interviews with people who are connected to the event (students, teachers, participants etc)
Use the past tense when writing; this event happened a day or two ago.

5. This is what the marker looks for:
Marking the News Report: 2 separate markers, 1 for content and 1 for conventions (writing)
Content /60
Conventions /40
This is what the marker looks for:
-the 5 W’s
-a clear focus on an event
-2 or 3 quotations from interviews
-specific and relevant details
-ideas are logically organized from intro to conclusion
This is what the marker looks for:
-Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization
-Overall clarity; can they read and understand your ideas.
Today’s Focus

6. BRAINSTORMING FIRST!
Your first step in to look at the picture/headline and make notes in the Rough Notes section about the following:
WHO?
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHY?
HOW?
WHO WOULD YOU QUOTE? WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?

7. Sample News Report (2010)
Brainstorm 6 paragraphs on whiteboard.

8. How did we do?

14. FINAL THOUGHTS
This is one area of the OSSLT where you get to be creative, so have fun!
Use specific details as much as possible.
Re-read your report to check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Practice, Practice, Practice!

15. THANK YOU &
GOOD LUCK!