DIRECTIONS:

For your first major project in this class, you are going to pitch, interview, write, edit, and finally produce an article suitable for a student newspaper publication. Your article will be written in the Inverted Pyramid style. It will incorporate quotes from interviews with key figures related to the topic. It will illuminate or provide new information on a subject of interest to the wider Westtown community. 

Based on a vetted and approved pitch for a story, you are to write a 250-350-word newspaper article. The length is slightly deceptive. While your end-product is relatively short, the work will take some time. 

•  Advanced students must present three pitches and pursue the story approved by your editorial board (your classmates);
• Regular students must present three pitches and pursue the story approved by your editorial board (your classmates);
• Your article should follow the Inverted Pyramid format of the traditional news story;
• You need at least two sources (interviews) quoted for your story.
• Your angle should be original. Your reporting should be your own.
• Your article should be timely and relevant enough for publication on The Brown & White website although only Advanced students will be required to submit it to the Brown & White.

Writer’s role: You are writing as a reporter for a local newspaper. Your first article should fit neatly into a beat, be well suited for an existing section of the paper, and utilize the Inverted Pyramid format for news writing in its display of essential information (facts) first and foremost.

Audience:  The students, faculty, staff, parent community, and administration of Westtown School who are the primary readership or readers in the greater Westtown/West Chester community.

Sourcing: Regular students are expected to do at least TWO interviews and advanced THREE interviews and utilize them for quotations supporting your story. You should be fair and balanced and try not to betray a bias or lean into a bias as you set out to report and write your story.

Due Dates:

Pitches are due in Canvas and ready to share in class on February 9th (A) and 10th (G).

Working FIRST DRAFT due for peer edit/review on February 14th (A) & 15th (G). submitted in Google Classroom.

FINAL DRAFT due on February 28th/ March 1st: submitted via Canvas 

Specifics: 

Pitches: Three well-written pitches for articles of interest to the Westtown community submitted on their due date and voted on by your peer editorial board.

Rough Draft: A substantive rough draft submitted on its due date with applicable quotes in place. The form of the article should be in its basic shape. 

Interviews and Quotes: Articles should have relevant, well-selected, and well-placed quotes from interviewed sources. Most are expected to have two sources quoted. Advanced students should interview and quote at least three relevant sources. 

Final Draft/Inverted Pyramid: Your final draft should be submitted on its due date and should be within the assignment length. Attention to feedback from the rough draft should be evident. This draft needs to be an exemplary version of the Inverted Pyramid. Lead and key info needs to be presented first, supporting quotes and context need to follow. Additional, relevant info is placed toward the bottom of the article. It still needs to be cohesive and relevant throughout. 

Grammar/Punctuation/Usage/Style: Clear, cohesive and correct. 

See attached RUBRIC!

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