Today for Informative writing we are learning to categorise information and explore reporting tips for our newspaper!

5 minute task Discuss what tips do you need as a reporter? What section of our newspaper will you place your article?

Reporting Tips 2. Audience Keep in mind the audience who will read the paper. Is your story of interest to them? 3. Interviews It may be necessary to schedule an interview. Prepare your questions ahead of time. Take notes during the interview and ask for clarification when needed. If possible, use a quote to make your story more interesting. 4. Research Use the internet, newspapers and people to get the facts you need, or check facts that you have collected. 1.Accuracy Make sure you have the facts right (including how to spell names).

5. Images It’s never too soon to start thinking about what images you want to go along with your story. Do you need a digital photo or clipart? Make sure you don’t wait until the last minute. 4. Writing Start with a good lead. You want to grab the reader’s attention and make him or her want to read more. Don’t forget to answer the five Ws and leave out your opinion!

Writing your article…..where to begin? 2 minute task – what do I need to begin my article?

Reporter’s Guide ________________________ Reporting (Student’s Name) Who? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Where? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ When? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Why? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Collate your facts!!

Newspaper Structure First section - with major news, world news and sometimes, editorials (where the newspaper editors offer their opinions on various topics - published with the op-eds -- opinions written by other writers). The most important news articles are on the first page; the top half of the first page is referred to as "above the fold." Local news section -with local news and weather. Sports section. Lifestyle section - often containing feature articles (non-news general interest pieces, for example, an article on stamp collecting or visiting New York City), entertainment, travel, fashion information, cooking, useful household hints, advice columns, the comics, puzzles, and reviews of movies and books. Classified ads section in which people and businesses advertise items for sale and post job notices. Paid advertisements are scattered throughout the paper except on first pages (the ads generate most of the revenue that keeps a newspaper in business).