Sports Journalism

Read through the Sports Journalism pages of the handbook ( download button on right hand side of this page)

After these have been read, either silently and independently, or with the group as a whole each student should find a sports article in a newspaper/ newspaper website and do the following:

1. Write down the name of their paper and date published.
2. Source a piece of sports writing in their paper.
3. Identify whether it is a match report, interview or sports feature article.
4. Write down the headline/ sub head and byline (if they are present).

Here are some examples of sports journalism in print and online newspapers

Abuse of referees is out of control

Santos is no fool and Ronaldo could still come up with a Hitchcockian twist

A closer look at Harry Kane’s Champions League scoring spree

Munster confirm new captain as replacement for Peter O’Mahony

Options for discussion/ analysis:

• If looking at a match report, select words and phrases the writer used to ‘set the scene’.
• Assess how clearly or accurately the writer captured the action.
• Note any factual details included.
• If analysing an interview piece select words and phrases the writer used to ‘set the scene’ for the interview.
• Choose questions asked by the interviewer which were particularly good in your opinion.
• Decide were there any questions which could have been left out or write some that you’d have liked answered.

Downloadable handout for classroom activity