Foundation ODULE

I
Concepts M

on
Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Identify the tenets of journalism

b. Name the functions and duties of the press
c. Compare and contrast journalism and literature
d. Explain freedom of the press
e. Critic the strengths and weaknesses of select articles

Enabling Activity

Welcome! This will be the first module you will read in the subject CAMPUS
JOURNALISM (ENGL330). Due to the pandemic infesting many part of the world today, our
school opted to adjust and present our mode of distance learning – through modules! Before we start
with our first lesson, let’s warm up first, shall we?
Below is a spider web with the word “Journalism” in the middle. Write as many words you
can relate to the it. Make sure to include 1-2 sentences to explain why you think your words are
related or connected to a professional teacher. Write your answer in a one whole sheet of paper.

Journalism

Deepen!
Scope and Nature of Journalism
Before getting into the skills of writing journalistic articles, anyone must have a fixed
understanding of the scope of modern day journalism. Huge as it is, journalism is everywhere, just
as media takes an integral part in all of our lives. Where there is Ilk media, journalism exists. As a
field that is worth working, journalism is one of the most prestigious careers one can get today.
The tools of communication and technology are television, the printed media and radio. The
internet is a more recent addition to this list. Many students are getting attracted to this field
nowadays because a career in journalism can be challenging as well as highly rewarding.

Journalism is concerned, primarily, with the collection and dissemination of news through the
print media as well as the electronic media (http:/entrance-exammeilscope-of-journalism/). This involves various areas
of work like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. It
covers the printed media that comes in the form of broadsheets, tabloids, newsletters and
magazines.

As regards its etymology, journalism comes from the Latin word, diurnal, which means daily.
That is why there is the word journal — a daily register of one's activities. Hence, journalism is a
communication of day-to-day information, whether through sounds, pictures and words. Few places
where journalism may appear include newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios and the internet.

Newspapers are the oldest and most traditional format for the inclusion of journalism. They are
regularly scheduled publications containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse
features and advertising. Indeed, newspapers originally started life as 'journals', from which the word
'journalism' is derived. During the 19th century, American journalists relied on sensational stories that
were used to excite or anger the public, rather than to inform them. This form of journalism
became known as `yellow' journalism. Accurate and fact-based reporting became popular again
around the time of World War II, when the restrained style of writing gained resurgence. Newspapers
played a large role in the development of freedom of expression. Inside sources with the ability to 'leak'
stories to the press often choose newspapers first over any other medium due to the perceived
willingness of their editors to expose corruption and lies among otherwise respected institutions.

Magazines, on the other hand, are publications containing a variety of articles that are
generally published on a regular schedule, whether it be weekly, monthly or quarterly. They
usually take a much more relaxed format than newspapers, with a more informal style to their
writing. They are also usually focused on a particular subject or area of interest, whereas newspaper
articles can cover almost any topic. First published in 1731 in London, The Gentleman's Magazine
is considered the first general-interest magazine. Its editor, Edward Cave (who wrote under the
pseudonym `Sylvanus Urban'), was one of the very firsts to use the term 'magazine'.

Television news journalism, including radio, is known as news broadcasting and is produced
locally in a newsroom or by a broadcast network. It sometimes also includes such additional
material as sports coverage, weather forecasts, traffic reports, commentary, and other material that
the broadcaster considers relevant to the intended audience. Most major television channels offer
regular news broadcasts throughout the day.
 Internet communications have excelled in the last decade or so of course, taking the way
news is published with it. There are now an uncountable of reputable and not-so-reputable sources of
information on the internet. Everything from digitized versions of the very newspapers that headed
up the first print media movements hundreds of years ago, to independent bloggers reporting their
own stories from the comfort of their own laptops. Because of this, opinions are much easier to come
by, and users can seek out the same story from multiple sources to get more of a balanced view more
than they ever could in the past. These make the scope of journalism to be very broad indeed, as
almost every form of media these days can be used as an expression of opinion or conduit of
information.

Journalism versus Literature

All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality. Redundant as it may,
facts are the foundation of all the ambits of journalism.

Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative
style. They may be guided by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a
writer. It is categorized into prose and poetry. Journalism, on the other hand, has main genres
that include news, editorial and features. Journalistic genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas
through paragraphs while literature has a variety of forms and styles.

For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts
imagining the appearance of the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the climax and
the resolution of the conflict. Jonas is writing a literary piece.

Marla, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts. However, before she starts writing about
them, she interviews persons who have allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the
persons' beliefs about them, is written into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with
facts.

In this case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature
story, a journalistic article. Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marla writes based on
facts.
Tenets of Journalism
Going into the road of journalism entails not only knowledge but also responsibilities. Hence,
their journalists are bound by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they must bear on
shoulders the duties to serve the interest of the public.

1. Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their readers to

write the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be brave enough to
defend facts and the truth behind the news. In this sense, the journalists' main
responsibility is to be the transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are liable
not to the company but to the public.

2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded by
the people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may be
written so long as there is no infraction to the existing laws of the land.
 3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the welfare
of the general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means that the
services of a journalist should be committed to the interest of the general public and
not driven by the interest of money called "envelopejournalism."

4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and information before
they are published is an example of being accurate and truthful. Since facts are the
solid foundation of journalism, media men should not therefore conceal the truth by
fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted statements and erroneous statistics.

Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the treatment of the
articles and on the way arguments and news are written.

Partisan news and biased interviews violate the ideals of journalism; ergo, a journalist should
know the difference between news and opinion. Readers and journalists alike, believe that newspapers
should be objective. Thus, reporters receive training from those who know journalistic rules, and
learn to resolve whatever conflict they may have.

Teel and Taylor (1983), as cited by Pangilinan (2012), suggested guidelines to attain a balanced
story whenever journalists face controversial issues.
a. Stick to the facts.
b. Never insert your personal opinion.
c. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
d. Avoid cheap shots.
e. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
f. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an observer, not a participant.
g. Listen to your editor.

5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presenting information in

any journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic according to the way
journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling the truth and putting
information in the right perspective.

In this vein, journalists should always present both sides of the coin, both sides of the
argument, both sides of controversial issues. They should set both avenues for the opposing parties to
ventilate their arguments and points of clarification. With this in mind, journalists, too, must respect
the privacy of individuals, unless, there is a warrant of a public right. In case there is a mistake,
true journalists should rectify the said error, thus the errata in newspapers.

Kinds of Balanced Reporting

There are worthy concepts that novice journalists must be wary about. Concepts that kill balanced
reporting must be avoided.

1. Yellow Journalism. This is simply sensationalizing a story or an issue. It is a type of

journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses
eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations
of news events,
 scandal-mongering or sensationalism. Most showbiz stories are grounded on this type
of journalism which appeals to the curiosity of the readers and viewers.
2. New Journalism. The new journalists expanded the definition of journalism and of
legitimate journalistic reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism
with fiction when they described their work with phrases such as "nonfiction novel" and
"narrative techniques of fiction." In so doing, they ignited a debate over how much like a
novel or short story a journalistic piece could be before it began violating journalism's
commitment to truth and facts. This approach represents a return to the roots of social
reporting which was used in Charles Dickens' fiction.

3. Advocacy Journalism. This is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-based

but supports 'a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are expected to
fbcus on stories dealing with corporate business practices, government policies, political
corruption and social issues. Arguably, advocacy journalists serve the public interest in
a way similar to muckrakers or whistle blowers. Most advocacy journalists reject the
supposed objectivity of the mainstream press as a practical impossibility, and some
others take the position that the economic censorship exerted by corporate sponsors is
no different from political censorship.

4. Stylistic Journalism. It emphasizes imaginative, stylized writing of stories and considers

newspapers as "the literature of immediate fact." 5. Editorializing. This is giving the
reporter's opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean the expanding of news about
an insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject.

Functions and Duties of the Press

If you have fully made up your mind to go into the path of journalism and the media, you
have to be acquainted with your vast roles and primordial functions.
1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more than
just a business because it also reflects and influences the life of the whole academic
community.
2. Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.
3. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a moral
responsibility to balance public interest and the gains.
4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the
kind of editorial product. It is responsible for the rise of the readers' educational level and
resurgence of an articulate, active young generation.
5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of the newspapers. Freedom of the
press and responsibility are inseparable. Responsibility of the press means truth in the
news — truth tempered with mercy, decency and humility.
6. The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and self-interest.

Limitations of the Press

Pulitzer prize -winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) as cited by
Pangilinan (2012), averred that reports are flawed. Hence, reports are not that complete and may bear
mistakes. The limitations of the press may be traced upon the timeframe within which an article should
be submitted for
publication. Remember that journalism secures the freshness of the information. Therefore, when
a journalist is in a hurry to beat the deadline, he may not have enough time to reach all the
sources of information. Subsequently, reporters will be unable to present the story in as many
perspectives as a journalist should showcase.
This implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge very critically
the articles, the reports, including the photos. Readers should know how to ask questions that are
left unanswered, in the same manner when journalists dig for facts and additional information.

Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the powerful, the elite and
the politicians. Broeder (1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointed “...every good politician will
attempt to work well with the press. If you live in a country where public opinion ultimately decides
public policy any politician who is at all serious is going to try to manage public opinion, and that
means working with the press. So they all do it.”

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the nature of journalism from the scope of
literature. Illustrate your answer in a long bond paper.

Literature Journalism

TASK 2:

ESSAY. Argue in not more than 200 words but not less than 150 words whether the
freedom to write is an absolute freedom. Cite concrete instances, if possible. Write your
answer in a one whole sheet of yellow paper.
 TASK 3:

Get three articles from a daily newspaper. Using the T-chart, assess the articles according to
the tenets of journalism. Make sure you include the picture of the articles you chose with your
output.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: Using the following guide questions, analyse a daily newspaper.

a. What seems to be the political link of the paper? Show your pieces of evidence?
b. Is it radical, liberal, conservative, reactionary? City your reasons.

ppeerr and the Puubblliiccaattiio

II
ODULE

M
 Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Identify the duties of members of the editorial board

b. Distinguish the functions of campus paper
c. Critic the characteristics of magazines and newspaper

Enabling Activity

Congratulations! You made it through Module 1! 10 more to go and we’ll be done (lol)! But
really, it’s not going to be difficult. It may look a lot, but I promise all of this will be very helpful,
especially in taking the Licensure examination for Teachers (and even as an English teacher in the
future)! So, let’s move on to the next module, shall we?

Fill the K-W-L chart below with what you know about this lesson.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

Deepen!

Scope and Nature of Journalism

The Nationa l Newspaper Before delving on campus paper, it is wise to start the
discussion on a supra level. This is for you to understand primarily the concept of the system that
campus paper has.

Thus, a newspaper is a publication sold and distributed regularly in a fixed interval. It may be
monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, daily, etc. and this is because newspapers fall under the category
"periodicals." Usually, news in newspapers is meant to be persuasive, and this is why some news
includes opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from the readers. Another latent function of
newspapers is to entertain by the use of photos, cartoons, quizzes and other interesting features.

While papers published every day are called dailies, we call those which are published
weekly weeklies. National papers are widely available and easily bought. National papers fall under
two categories: the popular paper and the heavy or quality papers. Popular papers present their
news in a lively fashion
with easy-to-read articles and many photographs. Heavy or quality papers are printed with longer articles
stressing on important and serious events in the country.

Some newspaper publishers produce Sunday papers sometimes, with the same nameplate as
the daily papers. These are not Sunday editions of the dailies but instead, they are of different
editors and editorial staff. The reason behind this is the availability of more people to read during
Sundays. The price of the Sunday paper tends to be higher than the regular paper, but it contains
more news.

The Campus Paper

The Campus Paper is the version of the national newspaper within an academic institution. In
other words, it is a pioneer in the publishing industry as a free newspaper of the students by the
students and for the students to circulate within the academic community. The Campus Paper may
broaden its reach like the community and other agencies in the society.

With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, otherwise known as Republic Act
Numbered 7079, the establishment of campus publication in basic education and in higher
learning institutions has been legalized.

Since the campus paper is run by the students, they have the chance to simulate the daily
newspaper's characteristics at the same time act as journalists in their own fields. It should be noted
that the campus paper is contextualized within the institution; hence, priority issues should emanate
from the institution before touching local, national and international concerns.

It is observed that the size and frequency of the paper vary, depending on the policies of
the editorial board, the fund or publication budget and the population of the learning institution.
There are higher learning institutions which collect a campus paper fee that can finance a
semestral release of a newsletter, a tabloid, a magazine, a broadsheet and sometimes a literary folio.
The school, too, may decide to release a special edition of its publication or organ during
intramurals and foundation days or on any special occasions. In many instances, though, school
papers under the Department of Education opt to release newsletters due to the consideration of the
fund, the population and the scope.

What should go into the Campus Paper?

Campus journalism serves as a means to strengthen the ethical values and to encourage
the creative and critical thinking of the Filipino youth. It also helps in developing the personal
discipline and moral character of the young.

Campus Journalism is one of the most effective means of teaching students the basic and
advanced writing techniques and inculcating in them the values of work and fair judgment. It is a
good training ground for future journalists or for writers. Through the school paper, student writers
are able to develop their skills and enhance their craft.

Moreover, with campus paper, both the campus journalists and the target audience are
helped appreciate the role of the press in shaping public opinion. Primarily, the campus paper
promotes the best interest not only of the students but also of the faculty and the administration. The
paper is a conduit for the pleasant and wholesome relationship between the teachers and their
students. It is an avenue where
students ventilate their opinions, including their grievances. In fact, many school papers in higher learning
institutions maximize these functions.

Today, the campus paper has become an avenue to expose anything against anyone. This
brings problems with the editorial board's security of responsibility, objectivity and fairness. Student
writer may write about as is anything; they observe responsibility, objectivity and fairness, thus hearing
both sides of the issue. For instance, student writers must not only publish an article about teachers
who are enraged with students, but must also look into the reasons why teachers are enraged,
through interview with the teachers. Remember, the prime cause of a campus paper is to create a
campus conducive for learning and to advance the quality of education.

A Brief History of Campus Journalism

This history of campus journalism is penned by Alixander Haban Escote (August 28, 2008) and
is retrieved from http://socyberty.com/history/a-brief-history-of-campus-journalism-in-the-philippines/.

According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands

(1933) and John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of campus journalism
in the Philippines started when the University of Santo Tomas published El Liliputiense in 1890.

However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan
(1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country started when the University of the
Philippines published The College Folio, now The Philippine Collegian, in 1910. They also added that
The Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila University, and
The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years later.

Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official student
publication of Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it is
now considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.
In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab, the first
printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since then, high school newspapers
came out one after the other.

Among these high school newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga High School, 1925;
The Leytean, Leyte High School, 1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School, 1926; The Coconut, Tayabas
High School, 1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School,
1928; The Samarinian, Samar High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The
Granary, Nueva Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Tones High School, 1930; and The
Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.

Functions of Campus Papers

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed, published or released by an
organization or school whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial box. The
campus paper like any other media has functions. Harold Spears and C.H. Lawshe Jr. (from
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Functions-Of-a-Campus-Paper-1317897.html), as cited also by Sison et
al. (2012), provide the following campus paper's main functions.
Aid to Students
a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing
b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers
c. Acts as stimulus to better work
d. Develops students' power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits
of news articles
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts,
salesmanship, bookkeeping and business management
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility, and
leadership

Aid to School and Community

a. Informs the community of the work of the school
b. Publishes school news
c. Creates and expresses school opinions
d. Makes known the achievements of the school
e. Helps unify the school
f. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities
g. Develops right standard of conduct
h. Provides an outlet for students' suggestions for the betterment of the school
i. Develops better interschool relationship
j. Develops school spirit
k. Develops cooperation between the parents and the school

Other Functions of Campus Papers

Still cited by Simon et al. (2012), here are other functions of the campus paper.
Information Function. This is the function of the news in the campus paper —to inform.
Since information dissemination is the main purpose of the campus paper, this is the function
most likely performed by any campus paper. It gives the readers information concerning the
things around the community and within the school. Examples of the activities include the graduation
schedule, the enrolment procedures, number of enrollees for the semester and other routine and non-
routine news in an academic year.

Opinion Function. Through the editorials and editorial columns, editors have the chance to
post their opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community. The main purpose for
this is to persuade the reader toward a certain point of view. The campus paper, therefore, can stir the
emotions and convictions of the reading public — the members of the academic community.

Education Function. This is one of the primordial functions of a campus paper. Since students
and teachers alike are expected to read the school paper, which showcases topics that may be
intensively and extensively discussed, the reading public i may somehow be educated. Tabooed
topics such as sex education, family planning and the like are sample issues in which a campus
paper can be so effective.

Watchdog Function. The school paper serves as the harbinger of truth in the campus. In other
words, the writers are the eyes of the readers to see what is happening in the school and to guard
the right of the young ones.
 Laboratory Function. The school paper, as discussed previously, is a miniature version of the
daily newspaper where all rights and privileges, including concepts and skills in journalism are
practiced. With this, the school paper becomes an avenue of teaching budding journalists. It becomes a
training ground for full-fledged journos someday. In fact, the many campus papers in Manila have
become the stepping stones of the prominent Filipino journalists today. These papers include The
Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines, The PNU Torch of the Philippine Normal
University, The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas and others. Neophyte writers pattern their
new experience from the existing and past papers.

Documentation Function. The paper also serves as a posterity tool of worthy and must-
be- remembered occasions in the campus. This is why, many school publications writers practice
submitting more than one copy to the campus library and to the archive section so that the paper
becomes an evidence of what transpired in such a semester, a school year or a grading period.

Entertainment Function. As a mini version of the national newspapers, where entertainment section
exists, the school paper likewise showcases feature stories. Main purpose of which is to stimulate the
soul and to feed the brain at the same time. Sample stories in the campus that entertain the readers
include the experiences of a freshman, the most embarrassing moment of a senior, the ghost in Room
Sampaguita, the shoe master along the corridor and others.

Developmental Function. In a developing country like the Philippines, scholastic and

commercial journalism has been given greater and nobler significance. The sources of new
journalists are also the school. Journalists in campus publications are most likely to be the
journalists of the future. The young journalist whose news deals with club activities, school
elections and campus activities will eventually become a better one whose news deal with
activities of the nation, national elections and national concerns. The developmental function of the
campus paper does not only have implications on the young ones themselves but also on the school
as a whole. School administrators and staff may reflect their performance on the school paper
and see what improvements must be done.

Parts of the Campus Paper

Whatever the type of paper it is, the parts and sections are similar to one another. Here
are the major sections of a campus paper:
1. front page
2. news page
3. editorial page
4. features page
5. community development page
6. science and technology page
7. sports page

Parts of the Front Page

a. Nameplate. The nameplate is the engraved or printed name, logo or symbol of the
newspaper. More (Alen than not, the nameplate also bears the scope of the
publication, that is, the date when the articles were taken. It also includes the
volume and number of the particular release.
b. Ears. Ears are little boxes in either or both sides of the nameplate. Ears usually
contain advertisements or announcements.
c. Banner (Head). The banner is the principal headline which is usually written in the
boldest and biggest font. It is the title of the most important news of the day. This
most important news is called banner news. The banner runs across the front
page.
d. Running Head. The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.
e. Headline. Headline refers to any title of any news.
f. Deck. A deck is a subordinate headline or head which is immediately placed
below its mother head to give more information about it.
g. Lead. Lead refers to the beginning of a news story. This means that a lead could
be a word, a phrase, a sentence or even a paragraph.
h. News Story. The news story is the whole story or a part of the whole story about the
news which is composed of the lead and the text supporting and elaborating the
lead.
i. Columns. They are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts of a newspaper. The
number of columns varies from one kind of a paper to another, that is, a newsletter
has smaller number of columns as compared to a broadsheet.
j. Column Rules. Column rules are vertical lines that indicate the divisions of the
columns. In modern journalism, these lines are substituted with a space (a blank
column rule). Space column rules or more formally known as sunken rules and are
usually one em wide. With the advent of digital lay-outing, the printer may adjust the
column rule easily and quickly.
k. Fold. It is the imaginary horizontal line that divides the paper into two. The purpose of
the fold is primarily rooted from the lay-outing rule that the fold should not overlay
or run against the banner head. Should the fold run over the banner head, the
layout is considered faulty.
l. Byline. A byline is the signature, name or pseudonym of the reporter who
prepared the news. It can be seen in various forms: by Ruben Balacbac, (Ruben
Balacbac), R. Balacbac, or R.B. One common error in campus paper insofar as
writing the byline is concerned is the inclusion of the colon between the preposition
"by" and the name of the writer. This style is now obsolete. Usually, the colon is
deleted, thus, by Ruben Balacbac, not by: Ruben Balacbac.
m. Box. Any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story. In this case, ears
are special types of boxes because they are specially named because of their
position.
n. Cut. The cut is a metal plate bearing the newspaper's illustration.
o. Cutline. A cutline is the text accompanying photos or other art works. It is mmonl
known as caption. If the text shows above the photo, it is called over line.
p. Over line. It is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.
q. Kicker. A kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline. It gives
stimulating but small details about the headline, and this is why it is also called
teaser.
r. Hammer. A hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer is
bigger than the headline.
s. Credit Line. A credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of the story or
illustration printed. This is done usually for stories or illustrations imported or
borrowed from other printed materials or people. The difference of a byline from a
credit line is that a byline is usually a name, signature or pseudonym of the reporter
within the newspaper staff, but a credit line is used for those which are borrowed or
imported. Thus, foreign news and dateline news often have credit lines.
 a. Editorial Proper: The article that is considered to be soul of a newspaper or magazine.
It is an article that gives the conglomeration of opinions of the members of the editorial
board on the hottest issue of the day.
b. Column: A column is a recurring piece or article in the paper. It is primarily written
by a columnist who is well acquainted with the subject. What differentiates a column
from other forms of journalism is that a column meets each of the following criteria:
a) It is a regular feature in a publication.
b) It is personality-driven.
c) It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view.
c. Op-ed: An op-ed, abbreviation of opposite the editorial page (though often believed to
be abbreviated from opinion-editorial), is a newspaper article that expresses the
opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial
board. These are different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written
by editorial board members. Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed
on the page opposite the editorial.
d. Letter to Editor: Letter to the editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter
sent to
a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, the letter or the
letters are intended for publication. In many publications, letters to the editor may
be sent through either conventional mail or electronic mail. The subject matter of
letters to the editor varies widely. However, the most common topics include:
i. Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another
writer's letter to the editor
ii. Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body —
local, regional or national depending on the publication's circulation. Often,
the writer will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his or
her viewpoint
iii. Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a
previous edition or release. Such letters may be either critical or praising
iv.
Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation

e. Editorial Cartoon. An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is caricature

containing a political or social message that usually relates to current events or
personalities.
f. Folio. Usually written on top of the page, this is composed of the page number,
date of publication and name of the newspaper. Notably, this part runs through all the
sections in the campus paper. Masthead. This is also called flag. It shows the
publication's name, the volume and number of release, the names of the staff and
their respective positions.

Sports Page
The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events, like high
school sports teams. College level sports are also covered in this section, both on a regional and
national level. Often, sports page in Philippine campus papers accommodate stories about
intramurals and relevant national sports issues. Student writers may consider writing sports
analysis, sports editorials, backgrounder, prophetic sports news and the like.
 As regards reporters on other news beats, sports journalism involves investigating e story,
rather than simply relying on press releases and prepared statements from the sports team, coaching
staff, or players. Sports journalists verify facts given to them by e athletes, teams, leagues or
organizations they are covering.

Selection of the Publication Staff

Notably, there are no hard and fast rules on how to organize the staff and to pick the
editors. Each school should therefore work out a system best suited to its particular set-up.

There are common mind-boggling questions for the publication head or the moderator of
the campus paper like: How are the editors and the staff members chosen? How long should they
serve? How big should the staff be? Should they be paid? To whom are they responsible?

First, there should be a moderator or an adviser who must possess the following qualifications
in the order of their importance, 1) with a degree in journalism -bachelor, master or specialization, or
one with a degree in English — bachelor, master or specialization. 2) with experience in newspaper
work or one with more than ordinary experience in journalism or school paper work. Other schools
consider one who teaches social studies. This set-up is the traditional set-up of picking the
adviser or the moderator. The Campus Journalism Act, has a different basis for choosing the adviser.
Selecting an adviser is also optional for the tertiary level.

For the traditional and beginning campus paper system in the DepEd, the principal or the head
of the school, with the recommendation of the adviser may designate the members of the staff or
may pick them through a competitive examination. The candidates should possess writing ability,
leadership and previous experiences in school publication in such order. Whatever the criteria are in
choosing the staff, the method should be systematic, objective and fair.

Whether the editors and staff members are chosen through recommendation or
competitive examination, the following pointers are recommended:
1. The candidate should have at least one year residence.
2. The candidate should not be in the probation list.
3. He/she must not have any disciplinary case against him/her, because there is a likely
chance for him to drop or to be suspended.
4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should not hold other major positions in
school organizations, especially in the student council or student government. The press is
supposed to be objective and non-partisan.

The most democratic way to select the staff is through a competitive examination followed by
an interview. However, there are certain drawbacks. If there are no qualified teachers who will evaluate
the entries in the competitive examination, the test will not be worthwhile. If a big number of
students join the competition, the evaluation will take a long time. Another question is: In what phases
of journalism would the test be? Newswriting, editorial writing, lay outing, or actual press work? If the
test is in editorial writing only, is not that just one phase of the work? Because of these drawbacks,
the adviser resorts to designation. The drawback here is favoritism.
 The advisers should not rely only on result of the examination. They should also look for
people who did not take the examinations but have writing skills. They should ask them to join the
board, but they should refrain from taking students into the staff who have more activities in their
hands than they can handle. They should be aware of students who only love to see their names
in the masthead or editorial box.

The choice of editors should be based on who obtains the highest average in the examinations
and who possesses the most in personal qualities or traits like leadership, managerial skills, sound
judgment and flexibility. Consequently, advisers should file and publish in the bulletin board the
results of the examinations and the comments of the judges.

How large should the staff be? A manageable staff should not be more than ten, as
follows: (1) chief editor; (2) associate editor; (3) managing editor; (4) feature editor; (5) literary editor;
(6) sports editor; and (7) reporters (one for each class-senior, sophomore, freshman).

There are other members of the staff who may simply be appointed: the typists, the layout
artist, the staff artist, the photojournalist and the circulation manager.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff

1. Chief Editor
The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper. Usually, he/ she writes
the
editorials of the organ after consultation with the members of the editorial staff. However,
any member may write the editorial so long as he/she follows the guidelines in writing.
Further, he/she edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the adviser
for final editing and approval for publication. He/She likewise supervises the preparation of
the layout, dummy of the paper and its pagination in cooperation with the managing
editor and layout artist. He/She also causes the accomplishment of all assignments
properly and on time. At times, he/she acts as the liaison officer between the editorial
staff and the adviser, as he/ she also calls meetings of the staff.

2. Associate Editor
The associate editor edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor. Also,
he/she may be delegated to write editorials of the organ. He prepares assignments of
section editors in consultation with the chief editor. Further, he/she cooperates in the
preparation of the layout of the paper and paging of the same with the chief editor and
the managing editor.

3. Managing Editor
Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles to the
press for typesetting. As such, he/she also checks articles for typographical errors. He/She
prepares the layout of the paper and paging of the same in consultation with the chief
editor. Finally, he/she proofreads galley proofs before these are finally approved by the
chief editor, then by the adviser for printing.

4. Circulation Manager
 As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release and
distribution of the paper. He/She also guarantees the smooth flow of the passing of
articles from reporters to section editors. He/She is assigned to oversee the flow of
processes in crafting the paper.

5. Section Editors
a. News Editor: Assigned as the reporter to cover events relevant to the school activities,
he/she writes news articles on assignment from the chief editor or through his/her
own initiative in consultation with the latter. However, his/her primordial job is to
edit all news articles submitted by the writers preparatory to submission of the same to
the chief editor then to the adviser.
b. Filipino Editor. This is an optional staff function or position; nonetheless, his/her prime
job is to write the editorial of the Filipino section. He/She also edits all articles
preparatory to submission of the same to the Filipino adviser, for final editing and
for publication. Sometimes, he/she causes the submission of all Filipino articles
properly and timely. He/She may likewise act as a liaison officer between the Filipino
staff and the chief editor.
c. Feature Editor. The feature editor gives out assignments to feature writers. He/She
then receives and edits feature articles preparatory to the submission of the same to
the chief editor. Sometimes, he/she writes regular articles or column.
d. Exchange Editor. For beginning school paper system, this is an optional function.
Sometimes, the functions of the exchange editor are accomplished by the
circulation manager. Nevertheless, the exchange editor makes up a list of school
papers sent by other schools. He/She is designated to mail copies of own paper to
these schools as he/she also files their papers on a bulletin board or display them
on a newspaper rack. He/She, too, keeps files of school information, such as class
lists and lists of members, homeroom advisers, faculty and staff.
e. Layout Section Editors. They are assigned to cause the assignment of the school's
official photographer to take pictures on school's activities for the month or for a
specified time. They prepare pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with the
managing editor and chief editor. Sometimes, their job is to write the captions of
pictures utilized by the paper in cooperation with the chief editor.
f. Layout Artists. They take charge of designing and formatting of all pages in the paper.
As such, they label or properly identify all pictures made available for publication. It
is suggested that they write using pencil at the back of every picture of the event
to which a particular picture refers. They likewise help in the preparation of the
layout of pictorial stories and make illustrations for feature articles.
g. The Reporters. The life of the contents depends on the skills of the reporters. They
secure the cold and raw facts of an assigned event and write articles out of the
same. Moreover, they receive assignments from the section editors or board of editors
and then accomplish the same properly and timely.

The Publication’s Policies

A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may pertain to what it may print or to
what the staff may conduct. Such policies may be posted on the conspicuous places like the bulletin
boards in the staff room or they may be printed and distributed to the staff.
 Policies are brief statements of the paper's platform or are sometimes printed under the
masthead, as in the following examples:
To support all school projects and to give only constructive criticism of some projects

To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by avoiding personal enmity and jealousy

both within and outside the school

To refrain from publishing articles which convey wrong impressions against the school,
and To avoid unkind personal jokes, criticisms and caricatures

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

Choose one newspaper. Cut its front page and mount it on a piece of bond paper. Then,
label its parts following the guidelines below.

a. Nameplate
b. Banner Head
c. Banner News
d. Column
e. Column Rule
f. Credit Line
g. Boxed Story
h. Cutline
i. By-line
j. Kicker
 TASK 2:

Interview the members of the school paper or the editorial board. Identify problems they
meet in operating a campus paper.

TASK 3:

Form a group of three. Each member should have one magazine and one newspaper. Using the
criteria below, identify the unique features of the selected magazine and newspaper.

Features Magazine Newspaper

Layout or format

Headlines (titles)

Style of writing

Major objective

Type of readers

Types of pictures

Cost

Distribution schedule

Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: Research on the history of a school’s campus paper. Identify its first year of
publication, transition of names, specific goals, the first adviser, the youngest editor, etc.
At the end, you must have at least 300-word history of the campus paper.
The
Th Neewss: III
ODULE

e : A M

Baacckgr
kg rounde
ound e
Time Table: 1 hour
Topic Learning Outcomes:

a. Enumerate the characteristics of news

b. Decipher the elements of news
c. Apply elements of news in specific situations

Enabling Activity

Two modules done, more to go! You’re doing great! Now, we are going to discuss one of the
most important parts of a newspaper, and initially where we go through to learn not only about current
issues, but to also educate ourselves with new information – the news. But before that, let’s see
what you have previously learned about the topic, alright?

Fill the K-W-L chart below with what you know about this lesson.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

 Deepen!

Understanding News
 News is difficult to define because it has many variables, but one needs to determine what
is newsworthy when deciding what to write about for his or her story assignments.

Try to process this. News must be factual, yet not all facts are news. A news item is based
on actual occurrences, situations, thoughts and ideas, yet not all facts are news. For instance, a dog
bites a typical man. This is not a news for many, but when a typical man bites a dog, this may be
newsworthy to some. Here, the logical nature of news may be drawn, such that, the taste of news
depends on the interest of and impact to the reader.

To attain a wide array of perspectives and meanings about news, the definitions of news
according to Philippine journalism authors are surveyed and are listed below. According to
Soriano et al. (2012), a news is any oral or written report of an event that happened, is
happening, will happen in the North, East, West and South (NEWS) that is of interest to the
reader and which should be reported.

From Soriano's definition, three primary considerations in defining news are drawn. First, news
is reported through airwaves and in written form. Second, anything can become news, whether the
event is already done, is being done, or shall still be conducted. Third, the news considers the interest
of the reader in accepting the impact of the news, that is, a news for somebody may not be a news
to another person.

Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out that news is basically about an
event, idea or a reaction that is presented factually and simply in written form to give the reader
an idea of what is currently happening around him or her, particularly on matters of interest to the
community.

This lengthy definition by Malinao (2008) gives the notion that news may include or encompass
any topic including a speech or a simple feedback. Moreover, it stresses that news is generally written
and is based on facts.

Another perspective about news is given by Estrada and Singh (1987). Though the date
of publication may seem to be antiquated for some, for the purpose of tracing the perspective, the
definition is included.

Estrada and Singh opined, "News is a timely factual report of events, ideas or situations
interesting or significant to people. Others define it as literature in a hurry." Estrada and Singh's
definition gives an added perspective on time elements. Literature in a hurry therefore means that
news should be publicized at its freshness. It means that the life span of a news may be so short
that it expires right away and that it can be buried when new angles of the news or topic are
broadcast.

Additional viewpoint is also written by Puig and Flores (2005). They posited that news is
any information that is significant to a particular set of readers. Simply put, they qualified news
according to its relevance and interest of the readers.

Another pair of Filipino journalist writers, Soriano and Henson (1999), provides a
seemingly technical definition of news. They inscribed that news is a reportage of accurate facts,
events and ideas that interest a large number of readers. Anything that is refreshed or regenerated is
also news. Here, the definition looks into the newness of idea that responds to the interest of the
readers. The definition marries the idea of immediacy and interest; ergo, the newer the angle of the
story, the more interesting it is to the readers.
 Lastly, Pangilinan (2012) provides another definition which goes, "news is information that has
a meaning for a set of readers." Hence, the bases of all news are facts, interest and readers.

From all the definitions above, news can be coined by stating that it is a timely reportage of
events, regardless of time and manner, which are grounded on facts. It considers nearness,
importance, impact and interest to the public.

News in School Papers

With the concept of news in mind, a student journalist should remember that concerns the
school, its students, the teachers, including the parents is newsworthy.

News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of students like: opening of a
new college, inauguration of the new building, stories of success, conflicts or suspense, school
convocations and other programs, interviews of visiting personalities, merging of two colleges,
increasing tuition and other fees, new grading system and the like.

Characteristics of a Good News

One can gauge the worthiness of a news by some qualities that emanate from the subject's
nature and functions. The characteristics that are discussed below become one's yardstick to
determine whether an issue is worth publishing or broadcasting. In such sense, when a student writer
has a limited space for a news, he/she tries to weigh the importance of the news that will occupy a
space in the paper by enumerating the attributes of news that are present in both stories. Hence,
the more attributes or characteristics a story has, the more effective it is to become catchy, interesting
and worth reading...the more it becomes appealing to the readers.

1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This characteristic of a news item underscores the newest angle of the story. For
instance, the changing of the grading system which was announced yesterday is more
appealing to a student other than the Christmas party last December. It should be noted, too,
that the more recent the event, the more appealing it is to the reader.

2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons are also newsworthy. In campus context,
competitions like oratorical contests and quiz bees are newsworthy due to the mental
conflicts present. Sports events during intramurals or foundation days are newsworthy, too, as
they have physical conflicts.

3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it likewise means the
nearness of interest and appeal. In the context of writing news in the campus or school for
students in Batanes what is happening to Batanes State College will be of more interest to
them than what is happening to Western Mindanao State University. The imposition of "no
cellphone policy" in Batanes State College will interest the Batanes' readers more than the
zero tuition scheme of Akian State University, so to speak.
4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is a journalistic skill. Therefore, the
contents should be accurately reported. Accuracy primarily refers to the factualness of news as
purveyor of truth.

5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the news. Hence, a
writer should survey whatever is significant to the life of the target readers and write about it.
When news is important to him/her, the news bears a high degree of significance, thus,
newsworthy and worth reading. In the campus setting, topics that are highly significant include
new rules imposed by the administration or the student government, amendments to policies,
upcoming big events, results of scholarship screening and the like.

6. Prominence and Names

"The world is unfair," so the adage goes. In this light, there are persons more popular
than others. Popular names can effectuate situations and their acts may be more interesting to
others. Hence, news about these persons can yield a high degree of newsworthiness, thus
becoming more readable than other news. For campus papers, prominent personalities include
the president of the student body, the principal, the student who won in a national
competition and the like.

7. Drama
Since news is also anchored on public interest, writers should bank on any story that
can lead the writers to crying or to laughing. Such story is packed with color; thus, subjects are
moving. In this way, the news becomes appealing to the readers. For instance, you write a
story of the student leader who manages to graduate as magna cum laude despite his
five-year term as the College Student Government President.

8. Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element of news. A theory explains that
when persons are curious about a phenomenon deviating from a natural course, they will be
interested in such a topic or issue; hence, that topic becomes newsworthy. Looking into the
campus situation, one may write about a forty-year-old student who has just graduated; he has
just finished his fifth bachelor's degree in your college. This unusual situation may be so
intriguing as regards the student's purpose, therefore, becoming more newsworthy to the
readers.

9. Romance and Adventure

"Love makes the world go round," so a song says. Hence, stories about love, 9.
Romance and Adventure including adventure, may ignite the taste of the reading public.
This is also the reason why showbiz news continuously booms. Attaining breakthroughs and
achieving scientific discoveries are given much.

10. Progress
Attaining breakthrough and achieving scientific discoveries are given much attention by
the readers. This attribute of the news gives a high degree of shock and a sense of
development in the society where the persons live. Looking into ma be in the form a newly
constructed building and a
 school situation, progress may be in the form of newly constructed building and newly
donated laboratory, equipment from alumni abroad.

11. Numbers
For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power to shake the conviction of the
audience. This is why numbers yield a very strong impact on the readers. However, the figures
that one should write should be worth appreciating. For instance, the Alumni Association
donated one computer set last January, while the Parent Teachers Association donated 57
computer sets to the school. The latter yields a higher degree of newsworthiness than the
former. It is not safe to say, however, that the higher the figure, the higher is its
newsworthiness. Say, your school has performed in the National Achievement Test 50%
lower than last year's data. This is a figure lower than the usual and yet bears a high degree
of interest.

Types of News Stories

Here are the following types of news stories according to their classifications.
1. According to Chronology or Sequence
a. Spot News.
As the term suggests, this is a news story that gathers information as it is
broadcast at the same time. Hence, it is unscheduled and demands immediate
publication. In many instances, the reporter becomes the first hand witness to the
activity or subject taking place. For instance, a student journalist happens to be
standing at the gate when a jeepney bumps an education student. He writes the
story and publishes it in the weekly newsletter of the college.

b. Coverage News.
Many interchange spot news and coverage news. Though both of them are
good avenues for firsthand information, the difference between the two is that coverage
news is written based on the given assignment to the reporter or news writer. The
assignment is sometimes called beat. It means that the writer knows what to write
about. For example, the chief editor wants to publish what transpires in the academic
meeting, so he assigns, Jessica, a writer to cover the meeting. Jessica knows what she
shall write about and shall be concentrated only on the meeting, thus, her beat. c.
Advance News. When a writer crafts news about an upcoming event, say, meeting de
avance of running student leaders, change of opening of classes for the next
academic year and an announcement of new uniforms to take effect next semester,
he/she actually writes an advance news. In advance stories, writers' skills in creating
many new perspectives on a subject are tested so as to create climax when the
event happens. Sometimes, series stories are created with one or two reporters
guarding the newest angles of the event or situation. -d. Follow-up News. While
advance news is predictive, follow-up news looks into the upshot to an event or
situation. For instance, a reporter wrote a news about the imposition of the new
uniform effective this semester, then in the next issue he shall write on the ideas and
comments of the students about the new uniform, or the problems they now meet.

2. According to Range and Reach

a. Local News: This is a news item. The subject of which happens in one's own
community where the paper originates. For instance, The Builders, the official
student organ of
 Batanes State College, covers the installation of the underground electrification system
in the province; the news is said to be a local news since it is about the province
itself.
b. National News: Countrywide news is called national news. It is determined when the
news impacts the people of a certain country. Most national news is published in
the dailies.

c. Foreign News: All news items which trace their origin from outside the boarders of
the country are called foreign news. Some foreign news articles also create impact to
typical locals due to their domino effect like the oil price hike in the world market.

d. Dateline News: An out-of-town news story. This news is introduced by a dateline which
states the place from which the story was reported, the date, and the source of the
material if not written by the local staff.

3. According to Construction
a. Straight News. The first paragraph answers the most important W (what, where, when,
why, who) depending on which of the W's is the most prominent among them. Its
body paragraphs consist of the elaboration on the W's and the H. It is written using the
inverted triangle structure.

Example:
Thirty-four barangay officials are now more familiar with the ins and outs of good governance
after undergoing various activities during the capability building seminar and training at Community
Outreach Center on February 18, 2014. (Presentation of Who)

The participants coming from barangays Sta. Maria, Magapit and Paranum were lectured
on the rules of parliamentary procedure by Prof. Edmond A. Usal, CA dean; Katarungang Pambarangay
Law by Mr. Sherwood Gayodan, CA faculty; Internet literacy through Mrs. Mary Jane B. Habon; and
preparation of Memorandum of Agreement and minutes of meeting by Prof. Gemma R.
Pascual, CTE faculty. (Elaboration of Who)

After the discussion, the participants were given workshops like demonstrating
parliamentary procedures and making an actual Memorandum of Agreement. (Additional information
about what the "who" did)

Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Leonita P. Garcia underscored the need for cooperation
among the barangay officials and the campus administration to materialize the goals of the
institution. (Least information about another "who')

b. News Feature. This special type of news should not be confused with the feature
articles (features). News feature is sometimes called special features and printed in the
features sections of the newspapers or in the magazines. Human interest and news-
feature stories are classified as news since both are gathered and written daily by
reporters as their regular assignments. Furthermore, both emphasize the elements
of timeliness or immediacy which distinguish news from other types of reading,
although they differ in important respects from the straight news story.
Example:
Love is in the air, indeed, in the Batanes State College as cut outs of hearts are in a
riot of multicolored lights and decors hung upon everywhere and even, way.

However, the "Feb-ibig" celebration reached its climax when the traditional promenade
participated in by students, teachers, parents, community and even barangav members was conducted
at the Aquino Grandstand, February 14.

To make the occasion more symbolic and relevant, students also had a "hearts.: lantern
parade" capped with ballroom dances.

(1) Single-Feature or One-Incident Story. It may be an account of a speech, an interview, an

election, that deals with an isolated event. In writing a news-feature story with this kind of
structure, include the one-feature id the lead. Add in the body details which clarify and explain
the lead. See that the story breaks logically at every paragraph and that the story may be
cut if lengthened as space dictates.

(2) The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story. In a composite story, two or more
divergent aspects of a news topic are drawn together for the sake of space and
coherence. In structure, the composite story may resemble that of a follow-up story in that
both of them aim to consolidate component parts. However, they differ in the sense that the
follow-up story ends in a tie-in with a past story; whereas, the composite story is composed
of units, each one made up of fresh spot news frequently with reference to the future. In
writing, the several-feature or composite story, include all of the features in a comprehensive
lead in the order of their importance. The next step is Lead to explain and elaborate in the body
each of the features in the order which they are in the lead. In doing this, relegate less
important details of each feature to less important positions. But remember that each chain of
facts although covered separately should be handled as a single, unified story.
Lead Angle

Summary of Other Angles

Details of Lead Angles

More Details
 More
c. Fact Details
Story
This is plain exposition of a simple situation of a series of closely related events
which conform to the inverted triangle design more closely than any other kinds of
news. The component parts are the series of facts that may be likened to
rectangles of diminishing length arranged one after the other in order of their
importance. The key to proper arrangement consists solely in judging the relative
value of the data at hand and in grouping them in their respective order.

Example:
"The campus student population this semester totals to 1,814. That marks 11.63% increase
as compared to 1603 total head count during the semester last year."

This was the statement of Mr. Leslie A. Panaligan, campus registrar, when the Innovator
staff inquired about the student headcount of the campus.

The registrar said that the campus population has been dramatically increasing for the past
years based on the data recorded in his office.

"Based on our record, the campus is continuously welcoming students with 5 to 15 percent
range increase every year, and this semester notches almost 12 percent hike," Mr Panaligan
mentioned.

Showing the summary of enrolment, he pointed out that among the five colleges of the
campus, the College of Agriculture has the highest number of enrolees with a total of 590
students.

Trailing behind the biggest college is the College of Teacher Education with 531 students
enroled in its BSEd and BEEd programs.

The College of Information and Computing Sciences followed with 360 headcount while the
College of Hospitality Industry Management trailed next taking supervision of the 263 BSHIM
students.

Although still the smallest college, the College of Arts has 70 students remarkably far from
its 55 students during the same term last year.

"Such increase is attributed to the cooperation of everyone in scouting students to enrol in

the offered programs or courses of the campus. The continuous career guidance held every second
semester is also a great help," the campus registrar declared when asked about the reason why such
percentile hike is attained this semester.

Source: Jenerwin M. Columna from The Innovator November 2013

d. Action Story
This is a narrative involving not merely simple facts but dramatic actions —
incidents, description of persons, perhaps testimonies of witness, as well as
explanatory data. In reading this kind of story, first write a summarizing lead in any
appropriate form. Relate the most important details in narrative or chronological form.
Tell the story again by
 giving more details. But be careful not to begin the chronological order just after
beginning. Give sufficient attention to the elaboration of important information,
background and interpretation. Each unit must be closely interlocked.

Example:
Mobilizing its destructive forces built into an empire fortifying its impenetrable stronghold,
the AB Political Science-Agriculture Team, known as Mighty A's, wreaked havoc frightening and sending
its foes to their knees to capture the trophy for the over-all champion in sports for this year's
intramurals.

After the three gruelling days that started September 21, mighty A's rallied its way to victory
with a comfortable lead after amassing a total of 66 gold.

Trailing far behind was Fearless Technocrats with 54 gold, followed by the once-formidable
Titans of the College of Education as third placer having hauled only 51 gold; landing on the
fourth are the Memory Makers of HIM.

The winning team dominated other competing teams in softball, baseball, athletics, badminton,
and sepak takraw and was adjudged Most Disciplined Team and Best in Booth.

Asked about team's stratagem in winning, Jackilou Berbano, College of Agriculture Student
Government (CASG) Mayor, and Jomar Abadilla, Political Science Club president, said they attribute
their success to the concerted efforts of the agriculture and political science students and faculty,
who were always at their back to uphold them in every game.

Meanwhile, the Memory Makers of the Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) defended its
throne in the Literary-Musical Contest as it garnered four gold in vocal solo, vocal duet, and song
writing contest.
The Titans of the College of Education also prevailed in the academic competitions with
nine gold reaped in almost all contested activities.

Further, Ferdinand Bulusan, BSE-IV student, was declared Hall of Famer in oration for
being a tree-time and two-time champion in oration in the campus and in the university,
respectively.

All winning students will represent the campus in the university meet to be held at CSU
Carig on November 23-25, 2011.

Source: The Innovator of CSU Lal-lo November 2011

e. Speech, Report, Quote, and Interview Stories

The arrangements of a speech report, a quote story and of an interview are
to great extent similar. The quote story may be charted as alternating large and
small rectangles of diminishing size: summary, quote, summary, quote, summary
arrangement. The quotations may be direct, indirect, or a combination of both.
In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions may be helpful:
1. Write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form.
2. Write the body of the story in a summary-quote-summary arrangement.
Example: Quote Story
3. The lead may be a statement — the gist of the speech, statement, letter, or interview; or it
summarizing may be the most important quotation in the story written as direct quote.
"A little pain, a life to gain."

This was the statement of Mr. Joeffrey Usabal, one of those who attended the Bloodletting
activity held at Aladino M. Dupaya Sr. Gymnasium, Centro, Lal-lo, Cagayan, August 4.

"It was a very noble undertaking and I am very happy to be a part of it. That single pain I
felt is truly nothing when I compare the effect of it to the sick people of the community," Mr. Usabal
continued as showed a small prick in his hand.

Themed with "Every Blood Donor is a Hero", the bloodletting activity is simultaneous to the
launching of the WE CARE Program of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo during the celebration
of 433'1 Patronal Town Fiesta held last August 2014.

Led by the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the whole-day activity was attended by various
blood donors including qualified students of Cagayan State University at Lal-lo.

"It is a way of realizing our desire to help save lives in danger. Truly, a single bag of
blood wholeheartedly shared is worth of life," he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Prof Rogelio T. Tamayo, campus executive officer, thanked the student donors
for their willingness to help.

"It was not just a show of help to the activities of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo, but it
was actually a way for CSUL students to realize the real value of sharing and saving lives through
donating blood," he added. "We hope that the desire of our students to help and participate in such
kind of activity will not end. The spirit of helping others is one of those things I want to inculcate to
you [students], so keep it up," the CEO disclosed.

Source: Kristal Faith Pagaduan, The Innovator November 2014

Example: Speech Report Story

"I am deeply honored to receive this resolution of commendation... but I know, I just did this
for the betterment of the campus."

This is the statement of Dr. Perfecto V. Vivit, campus executive officer of CSU Lal-lo,
after receiving a resolution of commendation from the municipality of Calayan for his full
commitment and immediate approval in the cacao partnership project of the Cacao Growers
Cooperative and the campus.

According to Mr. Tito Maquiraya, one of the councilors of the municipality of Calayan, their town
is very grateful for the approval of the project since most of the members of the cooperative come
from Calayan.
.
 Moreover, a large number of cacao seedlings will come from their municipality which contributes
in the promotion of the town's production.

"Hindi lang yan, isang malaking garantiya kasi ang binigay ng campus ninyo, of course, sa
pangunguna ni Dr. Vivit, kaya talagang sukdulan ang pasasalamat ng aming bayan," Mr. Maquiraya
added.

Asked about his main objective of approving the project, Dr, Vivit said that it was just
practical for the campus to make good production rate and the project was a large key.

"In fact, this is a win-win project; we help them, they help us. The production that we will get
from the project will surely be very useful to elevate quality education and to improve learning
facilities," Vivit disclosed.

Source: Ferdinand Bulusan November 2013

4. Minor News Forms

a. News Brief. This is a short item of news interest, written like a brief, telegraphic
message. It gives mainly the result with few details.
b. News Bulletin. It is similar to the lead of a straight news story. Its aim is just to give the
gist of the news.
c. News Featurette. This is a short news feature usually used a fillers, say, quirks in
the news.
d. Sidebar. It is a news item or a feature placed side by side its mother story to
which it is related but under a headline of its own.
e. Flash. This is a message giving first brief news of an event. It is usually boxed.

Main Task
Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output will be
graded based on the rubrics seen in your syllabus (refer to the “Graphic Organizer Rubric”).

TASK 1:

In the shapes, write the characteristics of good news or the elements of news and give
one- sentence definition for each element. Illustrate your answer in a bond paper and
write your explanations in a separate bond paper.

Characteristics
of Good News
 TASK 2:

Write TRUE when the statement is factual and FALSE when it is erroneous. Write your answer
in the comment section below this task.

1. Anything can become newsworthy as long as it is based on facts. Hence, what may be
news to one is news to all.
2. Weighing newsworthiness depends solely on the importance of the topics, interest of
the readers and length of the news article.
3. Proximity is an element of good news. It refers to geographical nearness and impact
of the news to the readers.
4. Ensuring that all names are correctly spelt in a newspaper is a reflection of accuracy
and conflict in the news.
5. Numbers that are higher than the normal situation bear the sole authority to create
good element in news.
6. Although all news articles are grounded on facts, they have various categories.
7. Foreign news is a type of news item. It is about a happening outside one’s country,
thus unimportant to read.
8. A coverage news and spot news are similar news stories that are good avenues for
secondhand information.
9. A straight news exposes the facts according to their importance, while speech story
arranges the facts in chronological order.
10. News briefs, action stories, and news flashes are samples of short and special types of
news.

TASK 3:

Identify the news element that is reflected in each of the issues below. Write your answer
in the comment section below this task.

1. Car accident in front of the Batanes State College main gate.

2. Procurement of 12 computer units each school year
3. Ground-breaking ceremony of two-storey audio-visual building
4. A twenty-four-year-old lesbian becomes the youngest Philippine President.
5. The love affair of Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz
6. Number of casualties in the car accident
7. Joan Garcia, 52, a widow and mother of 12 graduated cum laude last school year.
8. The college president just signed a memorandum to move the graduation from March
to February 28.
9. Slogan-making contest and cookfest in HRM laboratory
10. A differently-abled student wins in oration after practicing the piece for more than a month.
 Reinforcement Activity
Instruction: From any school paper, preferably from other institutions, clip two news stories that deal with
classroom activities and survey the articles according to the matrix below.

HEADLINE WRITER NEWS ELEMENT/S TYPE OF NEWS