Students in Melinda Smith’s Journalism 1 classes are learning the basics in a different way this year. Instead of learning from the traditional textbook and hypothetical exercises which accompany the lessons, Mrs. Smith decided to change the method of teaching news stories, feature stories, editorials, and columns. 

After sharing examples of these writing types from current press reporting real-life situations, each student selects a current topic for her own news story, feature story, editorial and/or column. The topics vary from writer to writer with each girl doing her own research on the chosen topic. Rohini Gopal ’27 has written articles based on both her own travel experiences (“Mexico City: A Perspective from a UA Student”) and research on phone addiction (“Break up with your Phone and Decrease the Temptation”). Rebecca LeClair’s ’28 next article about the histories of two all-girls Christian camps in Texas was inspired by her three summers at Camp Mystic.

Even before writing begins, discussions ensue as the class begins discussing the current event or topic, enabling them to begin judging what makes for reader interest, evidence of fact checking, and exceptional writing. Eventually, a rough first draft is due, and Mrs. Smith works individually with each reporter to emphasize transition between ideas, adherence to style rules in the “AP Stylebook,” handling of quotations, and the importance of interviewing credible people. These writing skills are exactly what Natalia Siewczynski ’28 was hoping to refine. “At my old school, I had always been interested in writing, but not many opportunities were offered to students to pursue English,” she shared. “While signing up for electives, I was so excited to see Ursuline offered journalism! I knew this was the chance I was looking for to reach my writing goals!”

Journalism I students have explored various writing styles and skills throughout the course. They crafted news stories with their audience in mind, delivering informative content. Their feature stories delved deeper than the classic “5 W’s and an H” (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) and the inverted pyramid structure – a technique that organizes information by presenting the most important details first. Additionally, the editorial segment emphasized the art of persuasion, teaching students how to present well-researched opinions that encourage readers to rethink or gain a better understanding of their perspectives.

Mrs. Smith noticed the students’ pride and increased confidence as they shared their work with one another in class. The best part of completing a class assignment? It’s published in Ursuline’s online newspaper, The Bear Facts, for all to see! Students agree that there’s nothing quite like the first time or two you are published. Sophia Shead’s ‘28 first published piece featured different local haunted houses to visit during the Halloween Season and quickly followed up with “Christmas Events in Dallas.”

Mrs. Smith hopes that this is a harbinger of things to come. “I would recommend Journalism I to incoming Freshmen and anyone else because writing is such an important skill,” says Rebecca. With the Class of 2029 registering for classes soon, Mrs. Smith and her Journalism students are excited to welcome more writers into the fold.

Read The Bear Facts online at uabearfacts.com.