Competency 3: Produces text for personal and social reasons

Clarify specific article types

 

Quick activity

 

Competency & Resources

 

= Solid foundation

Foundation

NewsEditorial

Proficiency

Feature ArticleAnalysis / Comment

Opinion Column

Reports on events and issues 

Is timely (short shelf-life)

 Answers the “5 Ws and H”

 Structured as “inverted pyramid”

 

Comments on topical, timely event or issue 

Takes a stance

 

Aims to convince people to think or act a certain way

 

Is structured with an introduction, development and a directive

 

Explores in more depth an event, issue or personality

 

Aims to amuse, provoke thought, inform, challenge

 

Is structured with a clear beginning, middle & end - linear, circular, or a “beaded necklace”

 

Shows flair in the writing

A FEATURE article  

• enlightens the reader with • an insight into a trend or an issue or personality, • often put into a broader context;

 

• is topical, or explores a compelling issue that might otherwise go unreported;

 

• uses specific examples to illustrate that trend or issue, & 

• puts them in a broad framework that allows the social, economic, corporate and/or political

implications to shine through.Adapted from Reuters Handbook for Journalism

Discusses and interprets an event, issue, personality 

Takes a stance

 Aims to provoke thought, inform, challenge

 Is structured with a clear beginning, middle & end 

An ANALYSIS

• stems from the writer’s authority and

expertise in the subject area, but, is not a vehicle for personal view (see Opinion Column);

 • should pursue an angle or line of argument, based on facts or data.  

Adapted from Reuters Handbook for Journalism

Takes a stance  

Allows the writer to be part of the article

Aims to influence readers through logic, wit, and/or humour

  Is structured with a clear beginning, middle & end

 Requires a strong writer’s voice; flair and

personality should shine

An OPINION COLUMN

• is a showcase for expertise and insight • uses fresh perspectives and novel thinking • expresses a point of view• should include defendable, justifiable arguments• reflects the individual tone and style of the

writer.Adapted from Reuters Handbook for Journalism

Darwin Award Honorable Mention 

Narrative vs News

 

A feature article, or 

an analysis/comment, or  

an opinion column  

- inspired by this event.

Consider your

Angle  

Research 

Headline and lead.

 

In Secondary V, students

• select topics of (political) interest• address unfamiliar (as well as familiar) audiences• manipulate codes and conventions for deliberate effect• assume a range of stances• consolidate revision and editing techniques

Adapted from Scales of Competency LevelsSecondary School Education

Cycle Two

Acceptable (3) Thorough (4) Advanced (5)

The student• uses specific characteristics of target audience to craft a

production• uses suitable codes and conventions of (the) form• compares the impact of various forms of text• respects language conventions to develop a quality production• consults a variety of sources to support production process and revision • revises productions to better communicate a message

Adapted from Scales of Competency LevelsSecondary School Education

Cycle Two

Classroom activities

Guidelines for researching & writing 

Handy websites 

Questions