Journalism

Unit Title

Foundations of Media & Law

Reporting & Information Gathering

News Writing & Style

Photojournalism & Design

Time

3–4 weeks

3–4 weeks

4–5 weeks

3–4 weeks

Understandings

Journalism is rooted in a history of democratic responsibility and press law.

Ethical reporting distinguishes between fact-based media and irresponsible action.

Copyright and intellectual property laws govern creative ownership.

Effective reporting requires diverse sources, including databases and interviews.

Research must be validated for credibility before synthesis.

Planning relevant questions is the foundation of a successful interview.

News writing requires a specific style, synthesizing direct and indirect quotes.

The elements of news determine what information is most relevant to an audience.

Editing symbols are essential tools for accuracy and revision.

Visual elements like cropped photos and graphic devices emphasize a story's topic.

Headlines and captions must function together to inform the reader quickly.

Layout design is the final step in preparing a story for publication.

TEKS

Priority TEKS: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E

Priority TEKS: 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F

Priority TEKS: 3A, 3G, 3H, 3I, 3J, 3M

Priority TEKS: 3L, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E

Ongoing TEKS

1 B-E (law, ethics,  and responsibilities)

Spring Semester

Unit Title

Advanced Journalistic Writing

Specialized Media Formats

Advertising & Economics

Digital Publication & Portfolio

Time

4–5 weeks

4–5 weeks

3–4 weeks

4–5 weeks

Understandings

Different writing types (news, feature, opinion) serve distinct purposes and audiences.

Masterful writing adapts tone to inform, entertain, or persuade.

Professionalism is maintained through rigorous rewriting and peer editing.

Print, broadcast, and online media share fundamental goals but differ in delivery.

Selecting the correct format is crucial for reaching a target audience.

Specialized writing like reviews and columns requires a unique authorial voice.

Publishing is an economic endeavor requiring salesmanship and strategy.

There is a critical difference between ethical advertising appeals and propaganda.

Different ad types (display, classified) target specific consumer needs.

Modern journalism integrates available technologies for final presentations.

Online media requires a different design approach than traditional newsletters or newspapers.

Creating a professional layout is the culmination of the publishing process.

TEKS

Priority: 2B, 3K, 3J

Priority: 2A, 3B, 4A

Priority: 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D

Priority: 3M, 4A, 4E

Ongoing TEKS

1 B-E (law, ethics, and responsiblities) , 3H (Journalistic Style), 3G (Synthesis), 3K (Ad Copy), 4B (Design Elements)