Understanding Newsworthiness
Year/Grade: 9
Age Group: 14-15 years old
No subject specified
25 students
The lesson aligns with national standards for media literacy and critical thinking skills.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Newsworthiness | 10 min | Introduce the concept of newsworthiness. Discuss examples of news stories. |
| 2 | Elements of Newsworthy Stories | 10 min | Present key elements (e.g., timeliness, significance, etc.) using a brief lecture or interactive discussion. |
| 3 | Audience Analysis | 10 min | Discuss how different audiences impact story relevance. Engage students in identifying various target audiences. |
| 4 | Distributing Printable Cards | 5 min | Hand out printable cards to students. Explain how they will use these cards to note down elements of newsworthiness. |
| 5 | Individual Activity | 5 min | Students complete their cards individually, filling in the relevant information based on previous discussions. |
| 6 | Randomly Checking Filled Cards | 3 min | Collect or randomly check a few students' cards to confirm understanding without presentation. |
| 7 | Assigning Homework | 2 min | Briefly describe the homework assignment without providing details, ensuring students understand expectations. |
Students will complete a follow-up assignment related to the concepts learned in class.
"Good morning, class! Today, we are going to explore a fascinating topic: newsworthiness. Can anyone tell me what they think makes a news story worthy of being shared? [Pause for responses] Great ideas! Newsworthiness refers to the criteria that make a news story interesting and important enough to be reported. To kick things off, let’s think about some current events. [Use a projector if available] Can someone give me an example of a recent news story you’ve heard? [Wait for answers and discuss briefly] Thank you for those examples! Now, let’s dive deeper into understanding what elements contribute to making stories newsworthy."
"Now that we have an idea of what newsworthiness means, let's talk about the key elements that make a story newsworthy. [Pause to write elements on the board] The main elements include:
Let’s discuss these elements one by one and consider examples where these apply. For instance, does anyone have a story that exemplifies timeliness? [Encourage students to share] Good! Remember these elements as we move forward because they will be crucial for our next activity."
"Next, we need to consider how different audiences influence which stories are seen as newsworthy. Who are the audiences for different types of news? [Guide the discussion] For example, a news story relevant to teenagers may not be as interesting to older adults. The target audience can change how a story is framed or what elements are emphasized.
Let’s brainstorm some different audiences together. Can anyone think of specific groups of people who might prioritize different types of news? [Collect answers] Wonderful! Now, think about how the elements we discussed earlier might shift depending on the audience. This is a key concept to keep in mind when reporting or consuming news."
"Now, it’s time for a hands-on activity! I’m going to hand out these printable cards to each of you. [Distribute cards] On these cards, you will write down the key elements of newsworthiness and some examples of stories that embody each element.
Please remember, you will refer back to your discussions so far when filling out these cards. You can use your own examples or the ones we’ve discussed in class."
"Take the next five minutes to complete your cards. Write down the elements and think about specific stories that connect to them. You might want to write about a piece of local news, something you’ve seen in the media lately, or even a personal experience that ties in."
"Time is up! I will now ask a few of you to share what you wrote on your cards. [Randomly call on students] As I check your cards, I’m looking for your understanding of the elements we discussed. Don’t worry, this isn’t a formal presentation—just share your insights with the class!"
"Great job today, everyone! As for your homework, you will complete a follow-up assignment that reviews what we’ve discussed in class today. It will involve finding an article and analyzing its newsworthiness based on the elements you’ve learned. Make sure to give it thoughtful consideration. I’ll provide the details on the assignment on our class platform later today."
"Thank you for your participation! Remember to think about the news you consume outside of school and how the elements of newsworthiness play a role in it. Have a great day!"
| Slide number | Image | Slide content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A classroom setting with students} | - Introduction to Newsworthiness - Definition of newsworthiness - Importance of the topic |
| 2 | {Image: A news headline on a screen} | - Key elements of newsworthy stories: 1. Timeliness 2. Significance 3. Proximity 4. Conflict 5. Human Interest |
| 3 | {Image: Students discussing in a circle} | - Discussing elements of newsworthiness - Examples of stories for each element - Importance of these elements |
| 4 | {Image: A diverse group of people} | - Influence of different audiences on newsworthiness - Examples of different audience types - The shifting importance of news elements |
| 5 | {Image: Printable cards spread out on desks} | - Hands-on activity instructions - Writing the key elements of newsworthiness - Using examples from class |
| 6 | {Image: A timer or stopwatch} | - Individual activity - Time allotted for filling out cards - Encouragement to think about local news and personal experiences |
| 7 | {Image: A student sharing with the class} | - Randomly checking filled cards - Sharing insights with classmates - Focus on understanding news elements |
| 8 | {Image: A checklist or homework assignment} | - Homework assignment details - Finding an article to analyze - Reflecting on elements of newsworthiness taught in class |
| 9 | {Image: Students discussing news articles} | - Encouragement to observe news critically - Application of newsworthiness in daily news consumption |
| 10 | {Image: A smiling teacher thanking students} | - Thank you for participation - Reminder to be mindful of news stories - Closing thoughts and have a great day! |
Define newsworthiness in your own words. Why is it important for stories to be considered newsworthy?
List and explain the five key elements of newsworthiness discussed in class. Provide an example for each element based on either current events or personal experiences.
Why might the audience for a news story affect its newsworthiness? Provide an example of a story and explain how its relevance may change for different audiences.
Find a recent news article online that you believe is newsworthy. What elements of newsworthiness does your chosen article exemplify? Analyze the article based on the criteria we've discussed.
Reflect on a news story you consider to have high human interest. Describe the story and explain why it resonates emotionally with the audience.
Create a short paragraph summarizing a local news story and identify which elements of newsworthiness it reflects.
Discuss how conflict can enhance the newsworthiness of a story. Provide a specific example of a current event that illustrates this.
Consider the importance of timeliness in news reporting. Why do you think this element is particularly crucial for news media? Give an example to support your answer.
Choose one element of newsworthiness and write a brief opinion piece on why you believe it is the most critical for determining what is reported in the news.
Evaluate how the portrayal of a news story may change depending on the media outlet. Choose a controversial story and compare how two different news sources report on it.
Newsworthiness refers to the criteria that determine whether a story is interesting or important enough to be reported. It is important because it influences what information the public receives.
The audience can shift a story's newsworthiness as different groups prioritize different aspects. For example, a story about student loan forgiveness may resonate more with young adults than senior citizens.
(Answers will vary by student selection of news article. Students should identify relevant elements present in the article analyzed.)
(Answers will vary by student; students should provide a story and discuss its emotional impact.)
(Answers will vary; students should summarize a relevant local news story and identify elements of newsworthiness.)
Conflict enhances newsworthiness by creating tension and interest. For instance, a recent labor strike illustrates this as it involves opposing groups.
Timeliness is crucial because news must be relevant to be engaging for the audience. An example includes breaking news coverage of a natural disaster.
(Students’ opinions will vary; they should defend their chosen element of newsworthiness.)
The portrayal of a story may differ, for example, in a controversial event like a protest, where one outlet may focus on peaceful demonstrations while another highlights clashes with police.
| Question | Answer |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| What do you think makes a news story worthy of being shared? | |
| Can you provide an example of a recent news story? | |
| What does "timeliness" refer to in the context of newsworthiness? | |
| Why is significance important when determining newsworthiness? | |
| How does proximity affect the newsworthiness of a story? | |
| What role does conflict play in making a story newsworthy? | |
| Can you think of a story that exemplifies human interest? | |
| How might different audiences perceive news stories differently? | |
| Name a specific audience that might prioritize different news stories than another group. | |
| Why is it essential to consider the audience when reporting or consuming news? | |
| What elements of newsworthiness will you write about on your cards? | |
| Can you share a personal experience that relates to one of the elements of newsworthiness? | |
| What is the follow-up assignment related to newsworthiness that you will complete for homework? | |
| How can the elements of newsworthiness influence the articles you choose to read? | |
| Why is it important to think critically about the news we consume outside of school? | |