8th grade Language Arts
Unit 2 Investigative Journalism
Questions to Start
A main idea is what the non-fiction writing is mainly about. A summary contains the main idea and includes the major
supporting details.
A thesis statement is the main idea of your report-- what your whole essay is about. It is placed at the end of the first
paragraph.
HOW TO START INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM REPORT.
1. List the topics (bullying, endangered animals, etc.) you have newscasts for or could write a newscast about.
2. Ask yourself about each topic:
--So What? Why is it important?
--What makes this situation different?
--What angle could you use that would make it interesting to the community?
3. To find an “angle” ask yourself:
* Is this right?
* Is it good for all people or animals involved?
* Is it fair?
* What is not obvious?
* What’s bad or good about it?
4. Write a main idea statement with the “angle” for each of the most promising ideas for an investigative journalism
article.
EXAMPLE: My elk story
One idea/”angle” turned into a sentence: A herd of elk is not usually seen in Maple Valley; it’s a rare occurrence.
I could write about: The scarcity of wild animals that live in communities close to people and ideas about how
we can live together with them peacefully.
Another idea/”angle” turned into a sentence: Hunting defenseless wild animals for sport is inhumane and does
nothing to make people better people.
I could write about: How hunting animals for fun not only creates dangerous situations for people but it takes the
life of a trusting defenseless animal and turns humans into killers.
Another idea/”angle” turned into a sentence: Man needs to preserve large areas of land for only wild animals.
I could write about: Man and animal need each other to survive and there are only some many places animals can
live. Man is encroaching on land animals have lived on for hundreds of years. With no laws that think of the animals
when humans build creates problems for both species.
5. Ask yourself:
--Can you create two personal newscasts that are related for your investigative journalism report?
--Have you created a new view on the subject? We all know bullying is bad and can lead to self-harm. What can you
add to this discussion that is new? If you can’t think of anything, try a new topic.
--Have you specified in your main idea and in your newscasts: who, what, where, when, why and how?
--Are you saying something new or saying something in a new way?
6. Order of operations for the creation of the investigative journalism report:
A. Brainstorm topics. Choose and State your specific topic
B. State your main idea (what report’s about) and your “angle” on it
C. Write one, preferably two related “scenes” that show your point of view/“angle”. Answer who, what, when,
where, why and how with vivid, descriptive details in the 3rd person reporter style.
D. Freewrite about the topic to get to the real heart of the issue. What causes this? What can be done about it?