Journalism—Semester B
Extra! Extra! Read all about it.
- Course Length: 18 weeks
- Course Type: Elective
- Category:
- Humanities
- Literature
- High School
Schools and Districts: We offer customized programs that won't break the bank. Get a quote.
Shmoop's Journalism course has been granted a-g certification, which means it has met the rigorous iNACOL Standards for Quality Online Courses and will now be honored as part of the requirements for admission into the University of California system.
If you're here, one of two things is possible:
Either you were so stoked on the offerings of Semester A that you just had to come back for Semester B, or you're just so excited about Semester B's content that you skipped straight to it.
Both are admirable choices, we think.
And we don't blame you for being psyched on this course, either. Because Semester B of Journalism doesn't just expand on Semester A's teachings; it gives you even more juicy journalistic info to digest. This info includes all of the following:
- Unit 7 covers opinion reporting—which, as you've probably guessed, is where journalists get paid to voice their opinions.
- Unit 8 discusses the oh-so-exciting world of arts reporting, otherwise known as "the kind of reporting that'll snag you an interview with Chris Evans."
- Unit 9 dives into the dynamic, ever-moving world of sports journalism.
- Unit 10 gives a snapshot of photojournalism and televised reporting (or, uh, the kind of journalism you probably see the most of).
- Unit 11 dishes the deets on data in journalism.
- Unit 12 will study the different layouts of written journalism.
- And Unit 13 will wrap all of the course's main points up into a nice, neat little bow.
You'll be a journalistic expert when all is said and done. We believe in you.
Unit Breakdown
7 Journalism—Semester B - Why Should I Care What You Think?
This unit deals with opinion journalism, which, for obvious reasons, can be a seriously polarizing subject. You will learn that an effective piece of opinion journalism is supposed to articulate a journalist's opinion on an important matter so well that the public may actually be convinced to change its mind. How do journalists master this art of persuasion? Stay tuned.
8 Journalism—Semester B - Best. Unit. Ever.
Unit 8 is about the ins and outs of arts journalism, and we're confident it'll have no trouble living up to its best-unit-ever name. Not only will this unit focus on journalistic pieces of arts criticism (hello, movie reviews), but it'll give you the chance to dissect what makes successful arts criticism.
9 Journalism—Semester B - Not Just for Jocks
In Unit 9, jocks, sports-enthusiasts, and sports-not-care-abouters alike will have the chance to examine this branch of journalism, which, despite having a seemingly narrow focus, includes a ton of different focuses (from tennis to competitive billiards) and writing styles (from features to hard-hitting investigative reports to longform literary journalism). Shmoop shoots...Shmoop scores!
10 Journalism—Semester B - Sounds and Pictures
This unit is all about photojournalism and televised reporting, which are two essential parts of the journalistic sphere. In Unit 10, you will learn about the history and technique of both photojournalism and televised journalism. We'll discuss the differences and similarities between visualized reporting and written reporting—and even explain how the two go hand in hand.
11 Journalism—Semester B - Data-Based
In this unit, you will learn the importance of data in journalism overall, from keeping journalists on track to keeping them…well, honest. If there's one thing that never lies, it's a cold, hard fact. The trick is making facts newsworthy, and that's the balance this unit seeks to strike.
12 Journalism—Semester B - Lay It All Out There
Unit 12 will bring the course back to the visual aspect of things, by studying the various layouts of written journalism—and why we should care that there are different layouts. Are you trying to make your story look informative? Attractive? Hilarious? There's a layout for that.
13 Journalism—Semester B - All Together Now
In the final unit of our glorious romp through journalism, you will review such vital questions as, "So, what is the point of journalism, now that we've studied its various forms?" and "How do these various methods of journalism contribute to the idea of journalism as a whole?" and, of course, "What the heck do I have to remember for the final unit test?"
Sample Lesson - Introduction
Lesson 10.06: DIY Photo Story, Part 2
(Source)
Let's do another stock-photo story, because looking at weird stock photos is possibly one of life's greatest pleasures. Thanks, internet.
Look at this guy. What's going on with him? Maybe he's determined to finish his jog, even though it's started to rain?
Uh oh. The man suddenly realizes the futility of his efforts in the face of human mortality.
Nothing to do now but howl into the rain like the animal he truly is.
He'll find the strength to go on, but all the color is gone from his world.
If you haven't already figured it out, we're going to be doing photo stories again in today's lesson.
Sample Lesson - Activity
Activity 10.06: Shooting for Variety and Consistency
Your Photo Story can't possibly be as compelling and rich as what we like to call "Rain Man"—oh wait, that title might have already been used. Nevertheless, it's time to finish your DIY Photo Story project.
By now you should have a whole bunch of photos and (we hope) a pretty good idea of what kind of story you can tell with them.
Remember, your story doesn't have to be incredibly profound or important like the examples you read about in Photojournalism. It can be simple.
You can display your photos in a slideshow, a collage, on a photo-sharing website, or even in a Word document—whatever you want. But here are the things that your Photo Story must have:
- A theme
- A headline that reflects the theme
- A short, 75 – 100 word introduction that introduces and explains the theme and provides your story with a newspeg
- Reminder of how Kobré defined this: "A newspeg tells the reader why the story is being seen now instead of six months ago or six months in the future" (143).
- Eight to ten photos that, together, tell your story in an effective way. Include (or reject photos) based on whether they meet (or fail to meet) the following criteria:
- The photos fit the headline and theme.
- There is at least one overall shot, medium shot, and close-up.
- Together, the photos provide visual consistency.
- Together, the photos provide visual variety.*
- At least one of each of the following types of shots:
- Overall shot
- Medium shot
- Close-up
- A brief caption of 5 – 25 words for each photo.
*We realize that going for both visual consistency and visual variety sounds basically impossible. But it's totally possible if you recall the tips Kobre gave for each.
For visual consistency, link photographs by using the same
- Person
- Object
- Mood
- Theme
- Perspective
- Camera technique
For visual variety, try for the following types of photos:
- Overall shot
- Medium shot
- Close-up
- Portrait
- Interaction
- Signature
- Sequence
- Clincher
Upload your completed Photo Story below.
Creative Visual Presentation Rubric - 50 Points
- Course Length: 18 weeks
- Course Type: Elective
- Category:
- Humanities
- Literature
- High School
Schools and Districts: We offer customized programs that won't break the bank. Get a quote.