Writing Guidelines: News Stories (Continued)

This page addresses interviewing, one of a journalist’s main gathering tools. Carefully review the interviewing tips; then model the interviewing process or present an interview that you find online. This page also shows a sample 5 W’s chart, a graphic that students can use to collect the key facts and details about a topic. If possible, connect this chart to the interview you modeled or viewed. Students can use the related download and minilesson to create 5 W's charts. 

Sample Online Editorial

Be sure that students understand the difference between a news story and an editorial. Point out that an editorial is often a response to an event reported in the news. Ask for a volunteer to read the sample aloud. Then discuss the text, using the side notes as a guide. Also ask these questions about the editorial.

• Does the topic pass the timely-and-important test? (Yes, the use of plastic foam is a current topic of importance to all us.)
• Does the opinion seem reasonable? How so? (The writer’s opinion is reasonable. She says we must stop using so much plastic foam, rather than stop using it at all.)
• Does the writer give the strongest reason first or last? (first)