PBS NewsHour Extra Student Reporting Labs

Lesson 1.4: The Structure of Broadcast News

Developed by Imani M. Cheers

Standards

• McRel: Viewing, 9 Students will use viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.
• ISTE: Media Concepts, 3.0 Students will be able to interpret and evaluate various media presentations within their context.

Overview

Students learn about elements like an attention-getting headline, a strong lead, the use of quotes and trustworthy facts, a summary and skillful arrangement. Students identify some structural features of broadcast news and then compare and contrast a segment from PBS News Hour, a segment from NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, and a segment from ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the structure of a broadcast news segment.

Advance Preparation

Make copies of Worksheets A for students. Review additional resources for students to watch for extra support.

Engage Interest

Ask: What makes an interesting news story? 

Listen to students’ answers as they will vary based on their experiences.

Explore: How is a television news segment structured?

Pass out at least 2 copies of Worksheet A to each student. This worksheet can be passed out the day before as a homework assignment for students and their families. Ask the students to watch a nightly news program and fill out the worksheet. Teachers can also pass out the worksheet in class and play clips from at least 2 of the links below and have students fill out the worksheets after the clips have been viewed.

PBS NewsHour

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams

ABC World News with Diane Sawyer