Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Aim: How can we use Imagery and insider knowledge in our stories?

Do Now: Use your computer to find a definition of Imagery, (dictionary.com) Jot down five ways that using Imagery in your stories would help you to write more exciting Sports stories

Share out: So what are some of the ways that imagery can help us in helping our readers experience our stories as if they were at the game (3-5 min)
Materials: Macs, class blog
Okay guys: One of the greatest perks of being a journalist is the luxury of having the best seats in the house at sporting events. Whether reporters are courtside or in the press box, their access to the game and to players can’t be beat. Readers expect to get detailed information that only a direct witness can get. Specific sensory images with a variety of colorful adjectives are keys to success for onsite reporting.
Some of you have already figured out that using this type of language makes for a better story, but we all need to be aware of these skills will again, be the difference between people reading our articles and them going to the next site.

Warm Up:
Write the following two sentences on the blog and discuss the differences with the students.

1. The pitcher threw out the second baseman as he slid into home.
2. The towering pitcher quickly reacted to the line drive as he pulled the ball out of the sky and threw the runner out at home plate to the roaring applause from the crowd.

Q: Which sentence is better? Why is it better?
(5 min.)

Introduce the terms “imagery” and “insider knowledge.”Explain that imagery is writing to convey sensory details. It appeals strongly to the senses of site, touch, hearing, taste and sight. Stories written with vivid imagery come to life in the hands of a talented journalist.

Insider knowledge can be described as behind the scenes emotions, technical info, inside jokes and team lingo. For example, a team may repeat a phrase over and over before a game, like “Play like a champion today.” Reporters may ask when that was originated and why they say it.

Q: So those of you that play on a Lewis team, what are some examples of your team’s “insider knowledge”?

(1-2 min.)

Activity 1: Group work:
Have students work in a group of three.
Have them look through the local sports section of the newspaper to find both good and bad examples of onsite reporting. Ask them to write down 3 sentences that use imagery and insider knowledge. Then ask them to find a poor example of onsite reporting and explain what the journalist could have done better.
(10 min.)


http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-team-yearbook/09000d5d81587929/Jets-2009-remix

Group Work: Assessment

Click on the link above and work with the two people sitting nearest you. Watch the video about the Jets’ season high lights (2:55) and then write a paragraph using Imagery (have your readers be able to form a picture in their heads that appeals to their different senses) to express to your readers The Jets’ greatness this past season. Use at least three examples of imagery. Each student should create his or her own paragraph.
(15 min.)
Share out: Let’s hear a few of your paragraphs. Q: Who can tell the class where was the imagery?

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