Learning objective

Students will construct a comprehensive news story plan by identifying and organising the main elements such as the headline, the lead, the main body text, and the conclusion. They will evaluate the completeness and coherence of their story plan by ensuring that all necessary components are included and that they are ordered in a logical manner.

In this lesson plan the term headline refers to the title of the story. The lead is the first paragraph and is sometimes called the summary or stand-first. For the purpose of this training session we will use headline, summary, body text, and conclusion.

• Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson the student will be able to create a detailed plan for a news story, making sure all important parts are included and that they are in the right order.
• Standards: Students will learn the best way to construct the elements of news story and in doing so improve their news writing skills and the informational value of the news articles they produce.

Learning activities

Warm-up

Notice and wonder: Display a short, simple news article headline and summary. Ask students, “What do you notice? Give them a few minutes to think and discuss with a partner. Then, select a few students to share their observations and questions. Record these for all to see. Guide the conversation towards identifying the main elements of a news story in order to prepare them for constructing a story plan.

Direct instruction

• Introduce story elements: Explain the components of a news story: headline, summary, body, and conclusion. Use a real-world example, such as a recent news article, to illustrate each part. Highlight how the headline captures attention, the summary sets the scene, the body provides details, and the conclusion wraps up the story. Discuss the importance of each element in creating a coherent narrative.
• Story planning process: Describe the process of creating a story plan. Emphasise the need for an outline to organise thoughts and ensure all necessary elements are included. Use a simple analogy, such as building a self-assembly model, to explain how each piece (interview, data, quotes) fits into the overall story. Provide a basic template for students to follow, outlining where each element should be placed.
• Identify missing elements: Present a partially completed story plan. Ask students to identify missing elements and suggest where additional information is needed. Encourage them to think about potential sources for missing data, such as interviews or research. Facilitate a discussion on how to address gaps and enhance the story’s impact by exploring different angles.

Guided practice

Think, Pair, Share: Guide students through a collaborative exercise to reinforce story planning skills.

• Think: Ask students to individually draft a brief story plan using a provided template. Include a headline, summary, body, and conclusion.
• Pair: Have students pair up to exchange their story plans. Each student should review their partner’s plan, focusing on identifying missing elements or areas for improvement.
• Share: Invite pairs to share insights with the class. Encourage them to discuss common challenges and effective strategies for completing a story plan. Record the main points on the board.
• Revise: Ask students to revise their story plans based on feedback received during the pair and share phases.
• Reflect: Facilitate a brief class discussion on the importance of collaboration in journalism. Highlight how peer feedback can enhance story quality and coherence.

Independent practice

• Story plan creation: Instruct students to independently create a detailed story plan using the provided template. Ensure they include a headline, summary, body, and conclusion.
• Self-assessment: Ask students to review their story plan against a checklist of elements. Encourage them to identify any missing components or areas needing improvement.
• Peer review: Pair students to exchange story plans for peer review. Each student should provide constructive feedback on their partner’s plan, focusing on completeness and coherence.
• Final revision: Direct students to revise their story plans based on peer feedback. Encourage them to refine their plans for clarity and impact.

Assignment

Ask students to answer these questions on their way out:

1. What is the most important element of a news story plan, and why?
2. How does having a story plan help in constructing a news story?
3. What’s one question you still have from today’s lesson?

Here are some suggested answers:

• Suggested answer to Question 1: The lead is crucial because it captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the story.
• Suggested answer to Question 2: A story plan helps organise thoughts, ensures all necessary elements are included, and guides the logical flow of the story.

Teacher resources

Differentiation guide

• Advanced learners: Encourage them to explore complex story angles or incorporate multiple perspectives. Suggest they analyse a professional news story to identify advanced techniques in structuring and storytelling. Challenge them to create a story plan with a unique narrative style or voice.
• Striving learners: Provide additional scaffolding, such as a more detailed story plan template with guiding questions. Offer examples of simple news stories to illustrate basic structure. Pair them with peers for collaborative planning and feedback. Use graphic organisers to help them visualise story elements and their connections.
• Background reading: We recommend reading the article How to create a structured news report which is published on Media Helping Media before adapting this lesson plan.

Notable definitions

• Headline or lead: The opening section of a news story that captures the reader’s attention and provides the most important information.
• Summary, stand-first, or intro: The first paragraph that appears directly below the headline, summarising the main points of the story and essentially acting as a bridge between the headline and the main body of the article
• Body: The main part of a news story that contains detailed information, including facts, quotes, and data, supporting the lead.
• Conclusion: The closing section of a news story that wraps up the narrative and provides closure or a final thought.

Required materials

• Story plan template: Provide a simple template for students to organise their story elements.
• News article example: Use a recent news article to illustrate story components.
• Whiteboard/markers: For recording observations and main points during discussions.
• Checklist: A list of key elements for self-assessment and peer review.
• Writing materials: Paper and pens for drafting and revising story plans.
• Timer: To manage time during activities and transitions.

Lesson summary

• Warm-up
• Direct instruction
• Guided practice
• Independent practice
• Assignment

The free teaching tools at the Khan Academy were used in the production of this lesson plan.

Related articles

How to create a structured news report

The post Lesson: Story Construction first appeared on Media Helping Media.

Seeking out new angles on a breaking, developing or running news story is an important part of the editorial process.Journalists have a responsibility to think through and explain how news developments affect the lives of their audience.

This process often takes place in news meetings where editorial staff discuss the implications of events in order to decide which deserve further investigation.

However, a journalist working alone will often have to work out the most important angles for themselves.

How a story develops

News stories break in many ways. Sometimes the first we hear of a story is on the news wires or via a news (press) release.

At other times a journalist will have been digging around a topic and will have come up with information that deserves further investigation.

At this stage, we often have just one or two facts. Our job is to find out more. As we do, the story develops.

Eventually, we would hope to publish a comprehensive and informative report with all angles covered. So, let’s see how this works.

Digging deeper

This is important for unearthing and following up on important news angles.

In today’s fast-paced news cycle, journalists face the constant challenge of not just reporting the news, but also digging deeper to uncover the stories behind the headlines.

Finding and following up on important news angles is crucial for impactful journalism that informs the public and holds power accountable.

1. Cultivate curiosity and a nose for news

• The foundation of finding compelling angles lies in genuine curiosity. Journalists should constantly ask “why?” and “what if?“
• Develop a habit of reading widely, not just mainstream news, but also academic journals, local blogs, and community forums.
• Pay attention to whispers and rumours – sometimes they point to bigger stories. A keen observation of your community and its dynamics is essential.

2. Go beyond the news release

Too often, journalists rely solely on news (press) releases and official statements. These are starting points, but they are not the whole story. Treat them with healthy skepticism. Ask:

• Who is benefiting from this narrative?
• What information is missing?

Always seek independent verification and diverse perspectives.

3. Develop sources and cultivate relationships

• Reliable sources are an important part of all journalism. Build relationships with people in positions of power, as well as those affected by their decisions. This takes time and effort.
• Attend community events, network, and demonstrate genuine interest in their stories.
• Always protect your sources’ anonymity when necessary. A well-placed source can provide invaluable insights and tip you off to hidden stories.

4. Follow the money

• “Follow the money” is a classic journalistic adage for a reason.
• Financial trails often lead to corruption, hidden agendas, and systemic problems.
• Learn how to access and analyse public records, campaign finance disclosures, and corporate filings. Understanding financial flows can illuminate the motivations behind events and decisions.

5. Embrace data journalism

• Data is a powerful tool for uncovering trends and patterns.
• Learn basic data analysis skills and explore publicly available datasets.
• Visualising data can make complex issues more accessible to the public and reveal compelling stories that might otherwise remain hidden.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions

• Holding power accountable requires courage.
• Don’t shy away from asking tough questions, even to powerful individuals or institutions.
• Be persistent, but also respectful.
• Prepare thoroughly for interviews and anticipate potential pushback.
• The public deserves to know the truth, and it’s your job to seek it out.

7. Collaborate and share information

• Journalism is not a solitary pursuit. Collaborate with other journalists, both within your organisation and beyond.
• Sharing information and expertise can lead to bigger and more impactful stories.
• Consider joining investigative journalism networks and attending workshops to learn new skills and connect with colleagues.

8. Stay persistent and patient

• Investigative journalism takes time and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if your initial leads don’t pan out.
• Be prepared to spend weeks, months, or even years pursuing a story. Persistence and patience are vital if you are to uncover important news angles.

9. Think long-term and consider the bigger picture

• Don’t just focus on the immediate news. Think about the long-term implications of events and decisions.
  • How will they affect the community?
  • What are the systemic issues at play?
• By considering the bigger picture, you can uncover stories that have lasting significance.

10. Be ethical and transparent

• Integrity is paramount. Adhere to the highest ethical standards in your reporting.
• Be transparent about your methods and sources.
• Correct any errors promptly and acknowledge any conflicts of interest.
• Building trust with the public is essential for the credibility of your work.

Finding and following up on important news angles is challenging but rewarding. By cultivating curiosity, developing sources, embracing data, and asking difficult questions, journalists can play a vital role in informing the public and holding power accountable.

Questions

• What is the primary responsibility of journalists when reporting on news developments
• How do news stories typically break, and what role do news wires and news (press) releases play in this process?
• Why is cultivating curiosity important for journalists seeking compelling news angles?
• What are some strategies journalists can use to go beyond the information provided in news releases?
• How can developing sources and cultivating relationships benefit journalists in their reporting?
• Explain the significance of the phrase “follow the money” in journalism.
• What role does data journalism play in uncovering news stories, and what skills are essential for it?
• Why is it important for journalists to ask difficult questions, and how should they prepare for potential pushback?
• How can collaboration among journalists lead to more impactful stories?
• Discuss the importance of ethics and transparency in journalism and how they contribute to building public trust.

Answers

• Journalists are responsible for explaining how news developments affect the lives of their audience.
• News stories often break through news wires or press releases, serving as initial sources of information.
• Curiosity drives journalists to ask questions and explore deeper stories beyond surface-level information.
• Journalists should treat news releases with skepticism, seek independent verification, and explore diverse perspectives.
• Building relationships with sources can provide journalists with valuable insights and access to hidden stories.
• “Follow the money” suggests that financial investigations can reveal corruption and hidden agendas.
• Data journalism uses data analysis to uncover trends and patterns, requiring skills in data analysis and visualisation.
• Asking difficult questions holds power accountable; journalists should prepare thoroughly and anticipate resistance.
• Collaboration allows journalists to share information and expertise, leading to more comprehensive and impactful stories.
• Ethics and transparency ensure credibility and trust, as they involve adhering to standards and being open about methods.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: News angles which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

The post Developing important news angles first appeared on Media Helping Media.