Verdugo Hills Senior High – Journalism 3a, Journalism 3b

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

The major purpose of this standards-aligned elective course is to focus in depth on writing and publishing the school newspaper/magazine at an advanced level. Students will read, write, and discuss, to develop mastery of all aspects of journalism through hand-on experiences and study of journalism-related literature. Students will learn to make warranted and reasonable assertions about the writer's arguments by using elements of the text to defend and clarify interpretations. critique the power, validity and truthfulness of arguments set forth in articles and public documents, critique the appeal of the articles to both friendly and hostile audiences, examine the extent to which the writer anticipates and addresses reader concerns and counterclaims, and analyze the clarity and consistency of political assumptions in the text. They will revise their own articles to highlight the individual voice, improve variety and style, and enhance subtlety of meaning and tone in ways that are consistent with the purpose, audience, and genre. Areas of study, which include good writing versus good reporting, advanced news writing, column writing, writing styles, result in more sophisticated critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Examples of projects for Journalism 3 AB students include news magazines, projects requiring in-depth research for extended news and feature articles, reflective articles, and point/counterpoint commentaries. Students will have opportunitites to develop experience with newspaper/magazine design and layout, revision and editing, and publishing using advanced publishing software and graphics programs. Journalism 3 AB fulfills a G requirement of the UC/CSU Subject Area Requirements.