Journalism Assessment-Opinion/Editorial v. Feature Writing

Opinion/editorial writing and news/feature writing are structured the same. True or False

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

There is a voice in opinion writing that is more persuasive and presents a biased POV while news/feature writing presents an unbiased (non-judgmental) account of the facts (5 W's & H) in a creative voice.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Why are news/feature stories deliberately placed on different pages away from opinion/editorial pages?

• Companies only like to display advertisings on pages with sensational news because that is all the public reads.

• Opinion pages usually DO NOT include advertisements on the page to avoid the assertion that those advertisers are endorsing the same opinion as the writers of the OP/ED.

• Consumers are not interested in reading the opinions of others.

• Advertisers are not interested in endorsing the opinions of editorial writers.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

As a journalist, what do news/feature writers have in common with OP/ED writers? (Check all that apply)

• Journalists consider their work as a way to speak for the people who cannot speak for themselves, shedding light on dark areas of their communities

• Journalists write using formal diction with a creative flair that is appealing to a wide array of readers.

• Opinion writing and editorials advocate for change, but in a different way from news writers who present facts only.

• Journalists typically use satire in their writing and with cartoons to ridicule or criticize political candidates, the government or any public entity to evoke opinions from the public.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Which of the following statements are elements of an editorial? (Check all that apply)

• Editorials are always written to criticize, satirize and denigrate a public entity.

• Editorials express the opinions of the editorial board or the newspaper as an entity; they present facts and offer a perspective for ways to solve various problems.

• Written in a persuasive voice that asks readers to change their mind, consider other options or confirm their convictions.

• They tell people what they should be angry about or what should be happening, but isn’t.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

What are the main purposes for editorials? (Check all that apply)

• Attack and Defend

• Teach, Recommend, Entertain

• Prod and Advocate

• Question and Expose

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Basic editorial guidelines for writing include: (Check all that apply)

• In a personal column or a review, you can write in the first person, but an editorial is written in third person.

• Write concisely editing out unnecessary words, phrases or sentences, LESS THAN 300 WORDS. Spell check and grammar check; there can be NO ERRORS.

• At least 50 percent of your staff, plus one more person (a majority) approves of what is in the editorial that editorial will be the voice of your staff.

• The topic is interesting, the position/stand is clear, the reader knows exactly what your position/opinion is because there are FACTS to support the stand/position/opinion and the headline grabs the readers’ attention.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Editorial cartoons can also be placed on the OP/ED page. They can either accompany an editorial or stand alone, should be investigative at some level, and should make the reader feel something and react.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

What are the primary differences between featuring writing and hard news? (Check all that apply)

• Hard news is intended to inform; the reader immediately knows the outcome; the reader is informed.

• Featuring writing is intended to evoke emotions; it is written in the narrative; the reader is entertained.

• Reporting provides the tools that a journalist needs to build a feature story; REPORTING = Interviewing, research, observation.

• The rule for feature writers: 40% OF THEIR TIME DOING RESEARCH TO FIND THE STORY IDEA; 40% OF THEIR TIME DOING INTERVIEWS AND REPORTING; 20% OF THEIR TIME WRITING THE STORY.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Which of the following statements is NOT true about feature writing?

• Interview in person so you can observe the person in their own environment; Record EVERYTHING, take photos, ask a lot of questions, and take a lot of notes.

• Due to your approaching deadline, you fail to clarify a detail from the interview with the person and insert your own opinion based on what you think the interviewee may have meant.

• Once you’ve completed research and reporting, figure out what it all means by asking: WHAT IS THE STORY REALLY ABOUT? DEVELOP THE THEME.

• Develop your focus statement and write toward that focus statement.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10