Codes and

Conventions
of an Article

Feature Article
Insight into a trend or issue
Specific examples
Topical or compelling issue

Headlines
Striking
Attention Grabbing
Precise Verbs
Reflect the articles most important aspect
Humour and Wit
Alliteration, metaphor etc.

Headline Examples
Professors Protest Pay Cuts

Byline
This tells who wrote the story.

Structure
Usually Linear clear beginning, development

and end.
News Articles Answers the 5 Ws and H
Most important information first
Less important after

Structure Overview
Lead

Development

Conclusion

Lead
Captures the attention of reader
Sums up the focus

How?
Anecdote
Shocking statement
Pure information
Quote
Question
Comparison

Development
Broken into several

short paragraphs
Clear
Logical

Conclusion
Definite closure
NOT an essay conclusion

How?
Final Quote
Descriptive scene
A play on the title
A summary statement

Language
Formal
Clear
Crisp
3rd person
Quote people
Use puns, alliteration, metaphor appropriately
Vary sentence lengths
Vary sentence beginnings

Layout
Graphics (photos, maps, graphs)
Columns
Justified left and right
Pull quote

Your Task TALK

evaluation
Use the article on your desk. Use your notes to help you

discuss the effectiveness of the authors choices.

HIGHLIGHT the headline. Discuss with your partner what

makes this a good headline

UNDERLINE the Lead. Discuss with your partner what
makes this a good lead.
CIRCLE the Byline.
READ the Development. What questions are answered?
How is the information presented?
BRACKET the conclusion
What special features does the layout of your article
contain?

Your Task- Othello News

Article
Based on Othello, write a Feature article for the

Venice or Cyprus Times.

Criteria:
Rough draft with edits
Good copy
Following the Codes and Conventions
Spelling & Grammar
Paragraphing
Expressing a viewpoint
Two lines from the play

Examples
Announcement of Desdemonas and Othellos

marriage
Discussing Iagos trial
Reporting on the deaths of Desdemona,
Othello and Emilia
Reporting on the war between Venice and the
Turks
Analyzing jealousy in world of Othello

Schedule
Today: Brainstorming in pairs, Start rough

draft
Tomorrow: TEST SITUATION: Finish rough draft,
10 minutes at the end of class for peer editing
Wednesday: TEST SITUATION: Self-editing and
good copy
Thursday: TEST SITUATION: Good copy
Bring other work to do or a book to read in

case you are finished early

Brainstorming
News Topic:
Headline:
Byline:
Lead:
Development: Who? What? Where? When?

Why? How?
Conclusion:
Formatting: Images/Graphics, Pull Quotes,

Columns