Honors Journalism

Unit 1 – Introduction to Journalism and News Media

Unit 2 – Ethics and Responsibilities in Journalism

Unit 3 – News Gathering and Reporting Techniques

Unit 4 – Interviewing Skills and Source Evaluation

Unit 5 – News Writing Fundamentals

Unit 6 – Journalistic Writing Styles for Print Media

Unit 7 – Broadcast Writing for TV and Radio

Unit 8 – Digital Journalism: Writing for the Web

Unit 9 – Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling

Unit 10 – Feature Writing and Human Interest Stories

Unit 11 – Opinion Writing and Editorial Content

Unit 12 – Investigative and In-Depth Journalism

Unit 13 – Media Law and First Amendment Rights

Unit 14 – Digital Journalism: Social Media & Citizens

Unit 15 – Multimedia Journalism: Text, Audio, Video

Unit 16 – Journalism Careers and Professional Growth

## What do you learn in Journalism

Journalism covers the basics of news reporting, writing, and media ethics. You'll learn how to craft compelling stories, conduct interviews, and fact-check sources. The class dives into different types of journalism like investigative, broadcast, and digital. You'll also explore the role of journalism in society and how to navigate the ever-changing media landscape.

## Is Journalism hard?

Journalism can be challenging, but it's not impossible. The trickiest part is often meeting deadlines and finding interesting angles for stories. You'll need to be comfortable talking to strangers and asking tough questions. Writing clearly and concisely takes practice, and fact-checking can be tedious. But if you're curious and enjoy storytelling, you'll probably find it more exciting than difficult.

## Tips for taking Journalism in high school

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Read newspapers and news websites daily to stay informed
3. Practice writing in inverted pyramid style for news articles
4. Learn AP style guide basics for consistent writing
5. Start a blog or contribute to school paper for hands-on experience
6. Watch documentaries like "All the President's Men" or "Spotlight" for inspiration
7. Develop a thick skin for feedback and criticism on your writing
8. Keep a notebook handy for story ideas and interesting quotes

## Common pre-requisites for Journalism

English Composition: This class focuses on developing strong writing skills and crafting clear, concise prose. It's essential for journalism as it helps you communicate effectively in various formats.

Public Speaking: In this course, you'll learn how to deliver speeches and presentations confidently. It's great for journalism because it helps with interviewing skills and potential broadcast work.

## Classes similar to Journalism

Creative Writing: This class explores different forms of writing like fiction, poetry, and personal essays. It helps develop your unique voice and storytelling abilities.

Media Studies: Here you'll analyze various forms of media and their impact on society. It's a great complement to journalism, offering insights into how media shapes public opinion.

Digital Photography: Learn the basics of composition, lighting, and photo editing. It's useful for photojournalism and creating visually appealing content for digital platforms.

Debate: This class sharpens your critical thinking and argumentation skills. It's helpful for journalists who need to ask tough questions and analyze complex issues.

## Majors related to Journalism

Communications: Focuses on various forms of media and how information is shared. Students learn about public relations, advertising, and mass communication theories.

English: Emphasizes literature analysis and writing skills. English majors often have strong critical thinking abilities and can craft compelling narratives.

Political Science: Explores government systems, political theories, and current events. It's great for aspiring political journalists or those interested in covering policy issues.

Media Studies: Examines the role of media in society and its cultural impact. Students learn about film, television, digital media, and their production processes.

## What can you do with a degree in Journalism?

News Reporter: Gathers information, conducts interviews, and writes stories for print, online, or broadcast media. They often specialize in specific beats like politics, sports, or entertainment.

Public Relations Specialist: Manages the public image of organizations or individuals. They write press releases, organize events, and handle media relations.

Content Creator: Produces written, visual, or audio content for various platforms. They might work for digital media companies, brands, or as freelancers creating engaging stories.

Social Media Manager: Develops and implements social media strategies for businesses or organizations. They create content, engage with followers, and analyze metrics to improve online presence.

## Journalism FAQs

How important is technology in modern journalism? Technology is crucial in today's journalism landscape. You'll need to be comfortable with digital tools for research, writing, and multimedia storytelling.

Can I specialize in a specific type of journalism? Absolutely! Many journalists focus on areas like sports, politics, or entertainment. Your high school class will give you a taste of different specialties.

Is objectivity still important in journalism? Objectivity remains a key principle, but there's ongoing debate about its role. You'll learn about balancing fairness with the need to provide context and analysis.

Journalism

1.1 History and Evolution of Journalism

1.2 Types of News Media and Their Roles

1.3 Principles of Journalism and News Values

1.4 Structure of a News Organization

2.1 Ethical Standards and Codes of Conduct

2.2 Objectivity, Bias, and Fairness in Reporting

2.3 Handling Sensitive Issues and Confidentiality

2.4 Accountability and Transparency in Journalism

3.1 Research Methods and Fact-Checking

3.2 Identifying and Evaluating News Sources

3.3 Note-Taking and Information Organization

3.4 Covering Breaking News and Developing Stories

4.1 Preparing for and Conducting Interviews

4.2 Types of Interview Questions and Techniques

4.3 Building Rapport with Sources

4.4 Verifying Information and Assessing Credibility

5.1 The Inverted Pyramid Structure

5.2 Writing Effective Headlines and Leads

5.3 Attribution and Quotation in News Writing

5.4 Editing and Proofreading News Articles

6.1 Hard News Writing

6.2 Soft News and Feature Writing

6.3 Sports Journalism

6.4 Business and Economic Reporting

7.1 Script Writing for Broadcast News

7.2 On-Air Delivery and Presentation Skills

7.3 Production Techniques for TV and Radio

7.4 Live Reporting and Breaking News Coverage

8.1 Web Writing Techniques and SEO Basics

8.2 Creating Engaging Headlines and Teasers

8.3 Hypertext and Linking in Online Articles

8.4 Analytics and Audience Engagement Metrics

9.1 Principles of Photojournalism

9.2 Photo Composition and Techniques

9.3 Photo Editing and Caption Writing

9.4 Ethics in Visual Journalism

10.1 Identifying and Developing Feature Story Ideas

10.2 Narrative Techniques in Feature Writing

10.3 Profile Writing and Character Development

10.4 Long-Form Journalism and In-Depth Features

11.1 Types of Opinion Pieces: Editorials, Columns, and Reviews

11.2 Crafting Persuasive Arguments

11.3 Balancing Opinion with Facts

11.4 Responding to Reader Feedback and Letters

12.2 Data Journalism and Analysis

12.3 Uncovering and Verifying Hidden Information

12.4 Writing and Presenting Investigative Stories

12.1 Planning and Conducting Investigations

13.1 First Amendment and Freedom of the Press

13.2 Libel, Slander, and Defamation Laws

13.3 Copyright and Fair Use in Journalism

13.4 Privacy Laws and Ethical Considerations

14.1 Social Media as a News Source and Distribution Channel

14.2 Verifying User-Generated Content

14.3 Engaging with Audiences Through Social Platforms

14.4 Challenges and Opportunities of Citizen Journalism

15.2 Basic Audio and Video Editing Techniques

15.3 Data Visualization and Infographics

15.4 Interactive Storytelling Tools and Platforms

15.1 Planning and Producing Multimedia Stories

16.1 Exploring Various Journalism Career Options

16.2 Building a Professional Portfolio

16.3 Networking and Internship Opportunities

16.4 Adapting to Industry Trends and Continuing Education

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

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