Journalism Writing Assignment 2: 2020 Girls' Basketball

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 Girl's Basketball season in full swing, we will need an article for the Yearbook Basketball 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 Highland Girls' Basketball team? How did they do last year?
  2. What Seniors ladies play on the team? What positions do they play, what were their statistics for the year? An "A" level article will include evidence of an interview with one or more of these players regarding the season and their performance.
  3. How is the team doing so far this season?
  4. What have been the highlights of the year so far?

THE INTERVIEWS:

For this article, a student wishing to receive an "A" on the assignment will conduct at least one interview with a Senior member of the Highland Volleyball 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 HIGHLAND and VOLLEYBALL. Good site for game summaries, statistics, 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 Highland Basketball team and the Seniorstudents that play on the 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 against key opponents? Wins against rivals? Provide details in each paragraph.
  4. Paragraphs 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 7 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 Basketball 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.