Week 11

Storycorps (Thanksgiving assignment)

Monday-

Story ideas
1 How to find story ideas – Read
2 Developing Story Ideas – Read
3 Formula for a Well written article – Read

WK11 Story ideas

Wednesday –
Look for 5 story ideas –
Find three stories on Eugene Register Guard
Discuss

Fill out the story idea sheet to turn in…Story Idea Sheet – handout

HSJ.org
Story ideas IDEAS: Check local and daily newspapers
Check Internet sites of teen interest and schools
Check online student newspapers
Talk with the school’s public relations person
Talk with coaches, guidance counselors, secretaries, and the principal
Talk with the principal’s advisory group or cabinet
Talk with student council members and the sponsor
Survey teachers about unusual assignments, clubs they sponsor, students in their classes who are involved in interesting activities.
“Beat Letters” for all clubs, organizations, teams, department heads, PTA, custodian or maintenance works, librarians.
Contact parent groups, such as athletic boosters or band boosters
Walk around the school and take note of posted fliers
Look at the sports calendar, district calendar, and school calendar
Ask your friends what they would like to see in the paper
Survey students in the school newspaper or as a class assignment
Contact cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance personnel, etc.
Watch local and national news programs for stories that might interest your audience
Exchange newspapers with other schools
Brainstorm in class
Seek out students, coaches, teachers, staff, alumni or clubs to profile
Contact the alumni group
Check out other media for new releases, such as CDs, movies or books
“Play Detective” — ask questions about things that have sparked your curiosity
Ask your peers to write letters to the editor, columns, editorial cartoons or to participate in “man-on-the-street” columns
Check out school policies or the code of conduct
Attend school board meetings