The Yearbook/Journalism Course Pre-test

BACKGROUND:

Because of new state requirements, we will be conducting a "Pre-test" and a "Post-test" in Yearbook/Journalism, which will enable us to see what progress you have made in the art of Journalism over the course of the year.  You will be asked to complete a very similar (if not identical) assignment at the end of the year.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Today, you will be creating an "Article" that reports the facts and opinions regarding an event, such as you might see in a newspaper.  Please use any computer programs or class resources that you wish to complete your Article.

THE EVENT:  Your Article MUST include all of the following information and items:
    1. Event:  First Day of School at Highland High School.
    2. Article Title:  Your article should have a title, describing the content of the article, preferably with a "clever" title.
    3. Byline:  On a line after your title, but before your article body, place your name and "title" as the author of the work.
    4. Basic Information:  The article should include the basic information regarding the event:  Who, What, Where, When, How.
    5. Interview:  Your article needs to include at least TWO quotes from an Interview that you conduct with another member of the class (see assigned interviews below).  Make sure to get direct quotes regarding the interviewee's thoughts about the first day of school, the upcoming school year, summer activities, etc.
    6. Photograph:  Your article will need to include a photograph of your interviewee.  You will take this photo with one of the classroom cameras.
    7. Caption:  You photograph of your interviewee will also include a caption, describing the photograph in the context of the article.
    8. Content:  Your article must be at least THREE paragraphs long, if not much longer.  Each paragraph must include at least FIVE sentences.

Interview Pairings:  (These groups should be interviewing and photographing each other)

    • Jessica/Casey
    • Nickelee/Kendell
    • Emily/Sabrina
    • Latham/Donald
    • Hali/Samantha
    • Kendra/Sulem
    • Mykalah/Nicole
    • Alejandra/Jessenia
    • Destini/Briana
    • Tayler/Crispen
    • Nancy/Alex

CREATING YOUR ARTICLE:  For this Pre-test, I recommend using Microsoft Word to create and print your article.  I can offer some assistance in helping to get your photograph into your document, but beyond that, you are on your own.  Remember, this is a Pre-test to see what you know about the course material before we cover everything in class.

DUE DATE:

This assignment will be due at the end of next class period!

GRADING: I will be grading this one pretty simply:

• Final Article shows strong evidence of thought, design and effort= 50 points.
• Final Article shows little evidence of thought, shoddy effort and a poor visual presentation=  0 points.

Article Use:  The article that I deem to be the BEST in the class will be used as one of the first postings to our online Blog: "The Husky Way."