With the proliferation of cable television and prime-time "news" shows dedicated to commentary, and without explicit disclaimers that tell viewers a show is opinion-based, distinguishing fact from opinion is more challenging than ever. Exposing teenagers to the tenets of ethical journalism -- objectivity, naming sources and balance, to name a few -- can help them distinguish credible information from conjecture and opinion. Understanding how to identify real news can help teenagers develop into informed citizens.
Introducing teenagers to the inverted pyramid method of news-writing can help them identify important information and organize their thoughts. Based on the five Ws: what, when, where, why and who and the one H: how, the inverted pyramid or news summary lead is a system of news writing that orders information hierarchically by answering the six questions in order of importance. The is followed by a "nut graf" (main paragraph) that provides answers to the remaining questions. Students who learn this method can glean an understanding of which parts of the news matters most. These skills aid the teenager in analyzing information as a consumer and can also help them communicate cogently based on the logical organization of their thoughts.
Introducing teenagers to journalism can catalyze an interest in current events that they may not have had beforehand. Exposing teens to how journalists work and the news process allows students to appreciate why news matters to consumers. Moreover, simply letting teenagers read important news stories could germinate an interest in political or world event issues they may not have had beforehand. According to Esther Wojcicki at 21stcenturylit.org, developing news literacy can empower younger students to participate in current events online through social media, forums, blogs and websites.
Whether it be writing for a newspaper, online or for a television or radio show, the basic style of news writing can improve a teenager's writing skills. Students must adhere to the strict rules of grammar in news writing. Also, the prose news writing style of short, concise sentences can help teens eliminate unnecessary words and force them to polish their writing through the use of simple sentences.