Lesson Plan #17
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How to Analyze News: A Practical
Framework for Teaching Students
GRADE LEVEL
Grades 7 to 12
CURRICULUM
Language Arts, Journalism
OVERVIEW OF LESSON PLAN
This lesson plan helps students deconstruct news, recognizing
its various components and the process by which it is assembled.
The framework provided is a practical method to help them become
critical thinkers and viewers as they evaluate the way the mass
media selects and filters information.
MATERIALS AND PREPARATION
ACTIVITIES/PROCEDURES
1. Review with class the elements of a News Story.
Handout ‘A Framework for Deconstructing News'. Discuss in
detail each element of deconstructing news.
2. Bring into class a copy of local tv news. Chose one specific
article in the broadcast for students to watch and review. Ask
them to write down on the right hand side of a sheet of paper
write the 7 points for Deconstructing News. Once they have review
the tv news broadcast article (10-15 mins), ask them to write
next to the points the content of the article that reflects that
point.
3. WRAP-UP/ HOMEWORK: Instruct students
to watch the next evening local newscast. They are to chose an
article from that newscast and deconstruct it using the 7 points
outlined in ‘A Framework for Deconstructing News'. Students
then present their reports to the class.
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:
Students will be evaluated on class participation, in-class review
of news item and homework.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
- Students can write an opinion article discussing how news
affects our everyday lives.
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