Iowa High School

Aligned Journalism Standards

2015-’16 by Natalie Niemeyer and Ben Graeber

1. Journalistic Writing:

The student demonstrates the ability to write for a journalistic publication.  This includes the knowledge of appropriate style, interviewing techniques, consideration of potential audience and purpose for writing, researching information from a variety of sources and using conventions of writing (grammar, punctuation, spelling).

JW1.

The student appropriately uses the principles of fair, balanced and accurate reporting.

(ASSIGNMENTS: News brief, In-Depth News, Feature, and Sports Stories  )

(W2 = Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.)

JW2.

The student uses appropriate journalistic writing styles

(news, features, sports, opinions) to write for a variety of purposes.

(ASSIGNMENTS: News brief, In-Depth News, Feature, Opinion and Sports Stories   )

(W4 = Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.)

JW3. The student uses clear, precise language in writing.

(ASSIGNMENTS:  News brief, In-Depth News, Feature, Opinion and Sports Stories )

(L1 = Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard-English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.)

JW4. The student writes clearly, accurately and with appropriate message and tone using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs).

(ASSIGNMENTS:  Post publication )

(W6 = Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.)

1. Layout and Design:

The student demonstrates the ability to design a layout for publication, including knowledge of design elements, graphic elements and typography.

LD1. The student appropriately uses design elements to create a layout that is visually appealing and effectively communicates ideas to the reader.

(In the grade book this is: LD1/SL5)

(SL5 = Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.)

LD2. The student uses various graphic elements (typography, photographs, white space, copy and elements of art) to enhance the readability and attractiveness of the layout.

(In the grade book this is: LD2)

III. Photography:

The student demonstrates the ability to produce photos for publication.

P1. The student photographs show good technical quality.  

Photographs are sharp and clean.

(In the grade book this is: P1)

P2. The content of student photographs has a strong center of interest and emphasizes action, emotion or faces.  Each picture endeavors to tell or illustrate a story.

(In the grade book this is: P2)

1. Ethics:

The student demonstrates an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of a free press.

E1. The student demonstrates an understanding to the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Iowa Student Free Expression Law (Iowa Code Sec. 280.22) and the school district publication policy.

(In the grade book this is: E1)

E2. The student demonstrates an understanding of pertinent court cases related to the student freedom of expression (Tinker, Hazelwood, etc).

(In the grade book this is: E2)

E3. The student demonstrates an understanding of a journalist’s responsibility to be fair, balanced and accurate in reporting and writing.

(In the grade book this is: E3)

*Link to Iowa Code: http://www.splc.org/knowyourrights/law_library.asp?id=8

1. Professional Responsibilities:

The student understands the roles which must be fulfilled in order to have a successful publication. Student understands and adheres to  the code of ethics established by the publication.

PR1.The student understand the importance of deadlines and how meeting deadlines applies to working with others.

(In the grade book this is: PR1)