Journalism Writing Assignment 1: Eaton Softball

BACKGROUND:

Students need ongoing practice to be able to demonstrate their capabilities in Journalism before returninging on to yearbook page assignments. Journalism students will be completing a series of research papers that will allow them to practice their interview and writing skills.

THE TOPIC: With the Eaton Girl's Softball season wrapping up this last weekend, we need an article for the Yearbook Softball page. This assignment will allow the student to research and write said article.

THE QUESTIONS: Journalism students will need to research and answer the following questions in the paper:

  1. What were the expectations at the start of the season for the Eaton Softball team? How did they do last year?
  2. What Highland ladies play on the Eaton team? What positions do they play, what were their statistics for the year? An "A" level article will include evidence of an interview with these players regarding the season, their performance and the team's playoff run.
  3. How did the team do this year during the season? What were some of the highlights of the year?
  4. How did the team do in the State playoffs?

THE INTERVIEWS:

For this article, a student wishing to receive an "A" on the assignment will conduct at least one interview with a member of the Eaton Softball team from Highland, if not more.

HOW TO WRITE YOUR ARTICLE: As a starting point for writing this article, students should read the following article: "How to Write a Sports Article." Pay special attention to the "Season Wrap-up" Section.

RESOURCES: In their research, students should use, at a minimum, the following online resources for their article:

  • Maxpreps.com: Look up EATON and SOFTBALL. Good site for game summaries, statistics, box scores, etc.
  • The Greeley Tribune: The best source for stories and articles about the team and specific games throughout the year.

THE ARTICLE:

Please follow this outline for your article:

  1. Opening paragraph: Introduction regarding the Eaton Softball team and the Highland students that play on that team.
  2. Paragraph 2: Relate your research regarding the expectations for the team during this year. How well did they do last year?
  3. Paragraphs 3-5: Relate specifics about important games during the year. Were there any highlight games for Highland students? Big wins against rivals? Provide details in each paragraph.
  4. Paragraphs 6: Relate information regarding the playoff run for the team this year. Who did we play? Did we win? Give specifics.
  5. Paragraph 7: Conclusion and wrap-up. Summarize your findings and your interviews and make a generalization about the season for the team.

THE REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Article will be written in Google Docs and shared with Mr. B. Articles will be double space, 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
  2. Article will be a minimum of 9 paragraphs in length (see above).
  3. Papers that do not meet the above minimal requirements will not be accepted. Late work will not be accepted.

YEARBOOK USAGE: This story will be used as the text and story for the Eaton Softball page in this year's Yearbook.

GRADING:

  • Writing, grammar and spelling= 20 pts.
  • Strong evidence of research and interviews as required above= 50 points.
  • All requirements of page met, as outlined above= 30 Points.

A NOTE ABOUT YEARBOOK ACTIVITIES:  Participation in this project does not exempt the student from other Yearbook duties such as photographing, writing, business ad sales or any other class requirements.