Lesson video

Hi everyone.

Welcome to this lesson where we will be analysing the features of a journalistic report.

My name is Miss Royal and I am really excited to be teaching you today.

For this lesson, you need to be listening carefully.

There'll be some tasks where you need somebody to talk to and there will also be some writing tasks involved.

I hope you are feeling excited and ready to learn.

Let's get started.

The learning objective for today's lesson is, I can analyse important features of a journalistic report.

Here are the key words for today's learning.

Let's practise saying them, my turn, your turn.

Journalistic report, newsworthy, purpose, structural features, linguistic features.

Well done.

Let's take a look at their definitions.

A journalistic report is a non-fiction text that provides information about an event.

Newsworthy describes the quality of being interesting or important enough to warrant reporting to the public.

The purpose of a text refers to the reason it has been written and the desired impact on the reader.

Structural features refers to how the information is organised and ordered.

And linguistic features refers to the words and language that a writer chooses to achieve the purpose.

There are three parts to today's lesson.

In the first part, we will be looking at the purpose and audience of a journalistic report.

Then we will be looking at structural features.

And finally we will be looking at linguistic features.

So let's begin with purpose and audience.

A journalistic report is a non-fiction text that provides information about an event.

They can be printed in newspapers.

They can also be read online.

Journalistic reports reflect the current news cycle.

They are written with up-to-date and current information, because the news in our world is always changing.

They provide information about newsworthy topics or events.

Let's check your understanding.

Where can journalistic reports be read? A, online, B, in newspapers, C, in books.

Pause the video and select your answers now.

The answers are A, online, and B, in newspapers.

Well done.

The purpose is the aim of a text.

The purpose of a journalistic report is to inform the reader about a newsworthy event.

Let's remind ourselves of the definition of newsworthy.

It means interesting or important enough to warrant reporting to the public.

The audience of a journalistic report is any member of the public who wants to know more about the event.

What makes an event interesting or important enough? That's a very good question.

If it affects a lot of people or poses danger to people.

This would be considered important enough to share.

Examples of this are, climate issues which affect the whole world, COVID-19, which affected the world, wars in certain countries, or national rail strikes in the country you live in.

The first time something happens or is discovered would be considered interesting or important enough.

Examples of this are a medical cure, a new piece of technology, or when somebody becomes a new Prime Minister.

If it is about a popular passion or interest, then it can be considered newsworthy, because enough people will be interested in reading about it.

Examples of this are, sports news, or cultural topics like films, books, or TV, or fashion.

And finally, if it is special in some way, then it could be considered interesting or important enough.

It could be special by being unusual, or heartwarming, or honorary, to remember or honour somebody.

Examples of this are, personal or inspiring stories, or obituaries, which are articles written to commemorate someone when they die.

Let's check your understanding.

Match the news stories that I have given as an example to why they are newsworthy.

Here are the example news stories.

A, Britain's Got Talent Final Live.

B, Life Lessons from author Michael Rosen.

C, Rising crime rates for theft.

D, COVID-19 vaccine developed.

And for why they're newsworthy we have, it affects a lot of people or poses danger.

It is a first time discovery or event.

It is a popular passion or interest.

Or it is special, unique or heartwarming in some way maybe.

Pause the video and match the answers now.

Let's take a look at the answers.

For A, Britain's Got Talent Final Live, that would be a popular passion or interest, because enough people are interested in watching it.

For B, Life Lessons from Author Michael Rosen, this would be a special news report because it is unique or heartwarming in some way.

For C, Rising crime rates for theft, this would be a news event that affects a lot of people and poses danger.

And for D, COVID-19 vaccine developed, this would be a first time discovery or event.

Well done.

It's time for your first task.

Discuss the following news examples.

What makes them newsworthy? Would you want to know more about them? You might have different opinions.

A, Coronavirus, the latest news on the COVID-19 outbreak.

B, New planets discovered by NASA.

C, Tottenham two, Manchester United nil, Premier League as it happened.

D, Missing cat found 140 miles from home.

Pause the video and discuss now with your partner.

Let's take a look at your possible answers.

For A, Coronavirus, this is an example of something that affects a lot of people and poses danger to them.

You might want to know more so that you can figure out how to protect yourself.

For B, new planets discovered by NASA, this is an example of something being discovered for the first time.

It may feel surprising and cause people to be intrigued.

Now some of you might be really interested in space, so you would be even more likely to want to find out more.

For C, Tottenham two, Manchester United nil.

This is an example of something a large enough group of people are interested in reading about due to personal interests.

Now, if you are a big football fan, you would want to find out more.

If you're not, you might not want to.

And for D, Missing cat found 140 miles from home.

This is an example of something unusual and heartwarming.

People enjoy reading stories that make them happy amidst lots of difficult news reports.

Well done.

It's time for the second part of our lesson where we will be looking at the structural features of a journalistic report.

Structural features refers to how the information is organised and ordered.

The layout of a journalistic report is structured in a very specific way.

First at the top there will be a headline.

Then there is an opening paragraph.

Then there will be the recount section.

Next, a quote section.

And finally, a closing paragraph.

Let's take a look at what each part contains.

The headline is in big, bold writing, to grab the reader's attention, and has key words to let the reader know what the news report is about.

The opening paragraph is an overview of the event.

It answers the five W's about the event.

Who is involved? What is the event? Where did it take place? When? And why did it happen? The recount section, this provides specific details of the event in chronological order, and it offers much greater detail than the opening paragraph.

The quote section provides quotes from witnesses or experts.

And the closing paragraph, this says what is currently happening, or what might happen next.

The structure of a journalistic report often looks like this.

Here we can see the headline, "Wolf Detained, Following Dangerous Deception." This first paragraph is the opening.

Then we have the recount providing more detail.

The quote section comes next.

And finally the closing paragraph.

Lots of journalistic reports also have an image and a caption which says what the image is.

It's time to check your understanding.

Following the headline, order these sections of a journalistic report in the order they would occur.

A, closing B, recount section, C, quote section, D, opening.

Pause the video and order them now.

Let's take a look at the answers.

First would be the opening, then the recount section, next, the quote section, and finally the closing.

Well done.

It's time for a task.

Read the journalistic report in the additional materials and answer the following questions.

What is the headline of the report? What is the purpose of the report? Consider what makes it newsworthy.

Which section provides an overview of the event, and who is the suspect? And which section tells you what is happening now and where the suspect is? Pause the video and do the task now.

I am going to read the journalistic report to you.

"Wolf Detained, Following Dangerous Deception.

An unsettling series of events has left the local residents of Cherry Pot Lane feeling shaken.

Yesterday afternoon, police were called to a property there after a violent incident had taken place.

A suspect who is known as Mr. Wolf has been arrested for breaking and entering the property of Mrs. Puckett.

Both Mrs. Puckett and her granddaughter were treated by paramedics at the scene.

As details begin to emerge, a thorough police investigation is underway.

At approximately 3:45 PM on the 1st of December, a witness saw a suspicious individual, who was later identified as Mr. Wolf, outside the Puckett residence.

He has been described as six foot tall with thick, grey fur that covers a muscular build.

It was reported that he repeatedly peered into the property before entering through the front door.

It is unclear how he gained entry.

At around 4:00 PM Mrs. Puckett's granddaughter who is known locally as Red, was seen entering the property.

A short while later, a commotion broke out and raised voices caused the concern of neighbours who alerted the authorities.

It is thought that a fight broke out between Red and Mr. Wolf, when she discovered him in the house.

By the time police arrived at the scene at 4:15 PM, Mr. Wolf was found being restrained by a local woodsman whose name is unknown.

Neighbours reported that as distressed screams were heard from inside the property, the woodsman used his axe to gain entry and protect the victims of this horrific crime.

While further details of the violent incident are still unknown, it is clear that injury and distress were caused to both Mrs. Puckett and her granddaughter.

Several witnesses have come forward to offer further information and insight into the shocking incident.

The local postman who was delivering post at the time the suspect entered the property, has expressed his distress, as a result of the event.

I believed the man was a friend of Mrs. Puckett's so I didn't intervene, he stated nervously.

Another eyewitness named Mr. Rizzly also provided greater detail to police.

He explained, as I watched the police grab him, I was flabbergasted to see that he was wearing what appeared to be Mrs. Puckett's clothes.

Whilst further information for the motive of this crime is expected, the suspect remains in police custody and they are being questioned by expert officers.

Currently, forensic scientists continue to investigate the crime scene, and they have sent various pieces of evidence off for further testing.

Meanwhile, the local community has rallied together to support the victims and one another through this difficult time.

Police are appealing for any further witnesses to come forward with information they may have linked to the event." Before we take a look at the answers, pause the video and take a little look at what you've written and check you are happy with it.

Let's take a look at the answers now.

What is the headline of the report? "Wolf Detained, Following Dangerous Deception".

What is the purpose of the report? I asked you to consider what makes it newsworthy.

The purpose is to inform people of a dangerous crime.

The Wolf's crime was breaking and entering, and assault.

Which section provides an overview of the event, and who is the suspect? The opening paragraph provides an overview of the event by answering the five W's, and the suspect of the crime is named Mr. Wolf.

And finally, which section tells you what is happening now and where the suspect is? The closing paragraph tells you this.

It says, "The suspect Mr. Wolf remains in police custody." Well done for navigating the structural features of the journalistic report to find your answers.

It's time for the final part of our lesson where we will be looking at the linguistic features within a journalistic report.

Journalistic reports have specific linguistic features, journalistic language and tone, subject specific vocabulary, fronted adverbials, complex sentences.

Linguistic features are types of word and language that a writer chooses carefully.

A journalistic report is written mostly in the past tense as it is usually reporting on an event that has already happened.

Journalistic language is words and phrases used by journalists in their reports.

Journalistic language brings a formal objective tone to the report, which is really important when reporting on the news.

It helps the journalist explain what happened or what might have happened without giving their personal opinion.

The following are examples of journalistic language commonly used when reporting on a crime.

It is believed, it is thought that, it was reported, it is clear, as details begin to emerge, while further details remain unknown, several witnesses have, another eyewitness stated.

Now you will notice that all of these examples do not include the first person, I.

A reporter never uses first person in their writing.

This helps to keep the report formal and objective.

Let's check your understanding.

Which of these does the use of journalistic language achieve? A, it creates a formal tone and objective tone.

B, it enables the journalist to share their own opinion.

C, it helps the journalist explain what happened.

Pause the video and answer now.

A and C are the correct answers.

Journalistic language helps the journalist create a formal and objective tone while explaining what happened.

Well done.

Subject specific vocabulary within a journalistic report varies depending on the event or topic it is about.

We are reporting on a criminal offence.

The following are examples of subject specific vocabulary linked to this.

Suspect, victim, perpetrator, breaking and entering, assault, arrested, police custody.

Let's check your understanding.

Which of the following are examples of subject specific vocabulary you would find in a journalistic report about a violent crime? A, environment and climate change.

B, suspect and victim.

C, movie and cinema.

D, assault and injury.

Pause the video and select your answers now.

The answers are B and D.

Suspect and victim are key pieces of vocabulary when reporting on a crime, and assault and injury are specific to the crime that we are going to be reporting on.

Well done.

A fronted adverbial is a sentence starter followed by a comma.

There are different types of fronted adverbials.

When reporting on a crime, fronted adverbials of time are commonly used.

This is crucial for indicating the the time at which the crime took place, or different events linked to the crime unfolded.

The following are examples of this, at approximately 2:30 PM on the 11th of January, at around 6:00 PM, by the time police arrived at the scene, currently, meanwhile.

Each of these fronted adverbials communicates time to the reader, to help them understand when each aspect of the crime happened.

Let's check your understanding.

Fronted adverbials of time are commonly used in journalistic reporting of a crime, true or false? Pause the video and answer now.

That is true.

Well done.

Now it's time to justify your answer.

A, it is crucial for explaining the time at which a crime occurred, or different elements that unfolded.

Or B, it supports text flow for the reader.

Pause the video and answer now.

The answer is A, well done.

It is really important to use fronted adverbials of time to indicate the time at which each part of the crime happened.

The use of complex sentences allows us to add greater detail to the main clause of our sentences in journalistic reports.

We create complex sentences by joining a subordinate clause to a main clause.

The following are types of complex sentence, adverbial complex sentence, relative complex sentence.

An adverbial complex sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause, or a subordinate clause at the front, with a comma before the main clause.

A relative complex sentence consists of a main clause, comma, subordinate clause embedded, comma, main clause.

We know two types of subordinate clause.

Adverbial clause.

Here is an example.

"While further details remain unknown," comma, "it is clear that injury was caused to the victims." "While", is a subordinating conjunction which begins the adverbial clause.

Other subordinating conjunctions used to begin adverbial clauses are, as, after, whilst.

A relative clause.

"Mrs. Puckett's granddaughter," comma, "who is known locally as Red," comma, "ran hurriedly outside." The relative pronoun "Who", begins the relative clause, and it describes the preceding noun.

The relative pronouns that are used at the beginning of a relative clause are, "Which" and "Who".

"Who" is always used when the preceding noun is a person.

Let's check your understanding.

Match the type of complex sentence to the example given.

We have, an adverbial complex sentence, where a subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.

And we have a relative complex sentence where a subordinate clause begins with a relative pronoun.

The example sentences are, "The local postman, who was delivering post at the time, witnessed the wolf arriving." And, "As details of the crime continue to unfold, the victims and local community are being supported." Pause the video and match these now.

Let's take a look at the answers.

The adverbial complex sentence is, "As details of the crime continue to unfold," comma, "the victims and local community are being supported." The subordinating conjunction, "As" was used at the beginning of this adverbial clause and joined to the main clause.

The relative complex sentence is, "The local postman," comma, "who was delivering post at the time," comma, "witnessed the wolf arriving." The relative pronoun "Who", has been used to add detail about the preceding noun, "The local postman".

Well done.

It's time for your final task.

Read the journalistic report in the additional materials and answer the following questions.

One, write one example of journalistic language from the text.

Two, give three examples of subject specific vocabulary linked to the crime.

Three, give three examples of fronted adverbials in the text.

Four, find and copy one example of an adverbial clause.

And five, find and copy one example of a relative clause.

Pause the video and do the task now.

Let's take a look at some possible answers you might have given.

For write one example of journalistic language from the text, you might have selected, "Several witnesses have come forward".

Or, "It is thought that a fight broke out".

For give three examples of subject specific vocabulary linked to the crime, you might have chosen, suspect, authorities, evidence.

These are all words linked to crime.

You may have chosen others.

For give three examples of fronted adverbials in the text, you might have spotted, "At approximately 3:45 PM on 1st of September".

Or, "A short while later".

Or, "At around 4:00 PM".

All of these indicate time.

There are also others you may have selected.

For find and copy one example of an adverbial clause, maybe you wrote, "By the time police arrived at the scene", or, "As details begin to emerge".

For find and copy one example of a relative clause, maybe you chose, "Who was later identified as Mr. Wolf", or, "Who was delivering post at the time the suspect entered the property".

You may have also spotted other examples.

Well done for spotting the linguistic features of a journalistic report.

We've come to the end of our lesson, so let's go over a summary together.

The purpose of a journalistic report is to provide information about a newsworthy event to its reader.

A newsworthy event is something that is interesting or important enough to warrant reporting to the public.

Journalistic reports follow a specific structure, headline, opening, recount, quotes, and closing.

Journalistic reports are written using formal and objective language and tone.

Fronted adverbials and complex sentences are key linguistic features of a journalistic report.

Well done for all of your hard work analysing the features of a journalistic report.