The Knight Crier is running a recurring feature on specific classes, clubs, and people to reach out to help students achieve their career goals after high school. In this installment, we will cover what opportunities North Penn has to offer for students interested in the various fields of Journalism.
AP Classes
AP English 11: Language and Composition: The Advanced Placement course in English Language and Composition is designed for students who wish to receive college credit for high school English by scoring well on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam. This college-level course focuses on nonfiction and the rhetorical techniques and devices used by writers; however, students also study major works of American fiction, including novels, dramas, and poetry. The course trains students to develop skills in writing expository, analytical, and argumentative essays based on the readings of authors from different periods and disciplines.
- Prerequisite: A B or higher in English 10 honors or gifted
AP English 12: Literature and Composition: The Advanced Placement course in English Literature and Composition is designed for students who wish to receive college credit for high school English by scoring well on the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition exam. The college-level course examines fiction and poetry and works of recognized literary merit in translation. The analysis of literary texts focuses on the interpretation of theme and meaning and the consideration of language resources: connotation, metaphor, irony, syntax, and tone. Writing assignments include essays on exposition and argument that use language effectively and organize ideas, coherently, and persuasively.
- Prerequisite: A B or higher in English 11 honors or gifted
Electives
News Journalism: News Journalism is open to students interested in pursuing news-style journalism in greater depth and contributing to the school newspaper. Students study the principles of writing in-depth features, editorials, and news stories, with a focus on investigative journalism. Additional emphasis is placed upon the creative process: following a story from the time it is assigned until it is completed. Using the principles of design, students learn to package information for optimal audience readership. In addition, students learn the editing process and are responsible for meeting strict deadlines. Students enrolled in this course can expect a writing intensive course which requires students to cover a variety of school and district events, interact with peers and staff members, and produce a portfolio of work for The Knight Crier.
- Prerequisite: Students must have a B or higher in 5.0 english
Journalism: This course is designed for students interested in exploring the wide variety of writing styles within both print and broadcast journalism. The course introduces students to basic news writing, as well as many other types of journalistic writing, including feature writing, opinion writing, review writing, sports reporting, and humor writing. Students will also learn the fundamentals of page layout and design. To develop their critical thinking skills, students are asked to analyze contemporary writers in the print and broadcast media. In preparing their own stories, students develop their interviewing, research, organizational, and computer skills.
- Prerequisite: Students must have earned a “B” or higher in English.
Public Speaking: This semester course has been designed for ALL students who are interested in improving their speaking skills in front of an audience. Students prepare and deliver a variety of presentations for different purposes. At the same time, students learn about proper audience etiquette and utilize peer evaluation as an important tool for learning to communicate more effectively. Several units require research in the school’s library. This course provides a solid foundation for students in all career paths.
Broadcasting and Video Production 1: The course enhances students’ oral, written, and visual communication skills. Students will explore broadcast, journalism, public speaking, video editing, videography, and motion graphics as an exploratory course. This course is a requirement for sophomores in the Communications and the Electronic Media Academy.
Broadcasting and Video Production 2: This course will provide an interdisciplinary hands-on approach to visual and written communication. Students will further develop their skills by producing integrated projects such as advertisements, documentaries, newsletters, brochures, and commercial design. This course is a requirement for juniors in the Communications and Electronic Media Academy.
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Broadcasting and Video Production 1 course.
Extracurricular activities
- The Knight Crier: North Penn’s student-run newspaper since 1955, an outlet for students interested in journalism, open to everyone regardless of experience.
- Accolade: North Penn’s yearbook organization available to students taking the ‘Yearbook’ class, allowing students to express creativity and writing while designing the yearbook.