Newsroom Roles Slides
Journalism Workshop
Establishing the Editorial Board
Defining roles, setting goals, and building newsroom culture.
The Heart of the Paper
Part 1: Definition
An Editorial Board is the leadership team behind a publication. They don't just write; they manage.
- They decide which stories get published.
- They ensure the publication has a consistent "voice."
- They solve problems and keep deadlines on track.
"A newsroom is a machine with many moving parts. The Editorial Board is the operator."
Editor-in-Chief
The Visionary
Primary Mission
The ultimate authority on all content. They set the tone, approve the final layout, and represent the publication to the public.
Key Responsibilities
Final "Yes/No" on stories
Overseeing the "Big Picture"
Leading board meetings
Handling ethical issues
Best for students who are...
Decisive, organized, and good at seeing how all pieces fit together.
Managing Editor
The Taskmaster
Primary Mission
The day-to-day manager. They make sure everyone is doing their job and that every deadline is met. They manage the production schedule.
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Tracking story deadlines
- Coordinating sections
- Managing the calendar
Problem Solving
- Filling gaps in coverage
- Helping stuck writers
- Resource allocation
Best for students who...
Love schedules, checklists, and getting things done on time.
Copy Editor
The Perfectionist
"The Copy Editor is the final line of defense against errors. If a typo makes it into print, it's on them."
Accuracy
Checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Fact-Checking
Verifies names, dates, and numbers carefully.
Style
Ensures formatting and tone rules are followed.
Section Editors
The Specialists
Large publications are broken into sections. Each section needs a leader to focus on specific topics.
News
Current events & school happenings.
Sports
Game results & profiles.
Opinions
Editorials & student voices.
Arts/Living
Reviews & entertainment.
Their Job:
- Assign stories to reporters
- Do the first round of edits
- Coordinate headlines & photos
Design & Photo Editor
The Visualizer
Visual Storytelling
Determines the "look" of the paper. From font choices to photo placement, they ensure readability and impact.
Photography
Layout
Essential Questions:
- "Does this photo match the story?"
- "Is the headline easy to read?"
- "Is there enough white space?"
- "Is the layout balanced?"
Design Pro-Tip
Good design makes stories readable; great design makes them unforgettable.
The Editorial Flow
Collaboration
1
Pitch
Writer presents idea to Section Editor
2
Draft
Reporter writes the article
3
Edit
Copy Editor fixes the errors
4
Approve
Final OK from Editor-in-Chief
5
Publish
Design Editor builds the page
Newsroom Culture
Establishing Norms
To succeed, we need a shared understanding of how we treat each other and our work.
Examples:
- "Deadlines are non-negotiable."
- "Feedback is about the work, not the person."
- "One person makes the final call."
- "Respect the privacy of sources."
Communication
How will you talk outside of class? Shared folder? Email? Shared journal?
Ready to Launch?
Form your boards. Discuss strengths, interests, and goals.
Today's Task:
Assign all 5-6 key board roles
Create a formal publication name
Establish 3 newsroom norms
The Deadline is Now.
Editorial Board Plan Worksheet
Editorial Board Plan
Strategic Publication Planning Document
Team Name
Date
1. Publication Identity
Official Publication Name
Mission Statement (What is your purpose?)
2. Editorial Board Roster
| Role | Assigned Student | Primary Responsibility |
|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | | Final approval & overall vision |
| Managing Editor | | Deadlines & production schedule |
| Copy Editor | | Grammar, facts, & style consistency |
| Design/Photo Editor | | Layout, visuals, & photography |
| Section Editor: | | Managing topic: _______________ |
3. Newsroom Norms
How will you work together respectfully? (e.g., "Respect deadlines")
4. Communication Plan
How will we share files?
How will we check in between classes?
The Daily Scoop Press Kit
FORM: EDIT-BD-PLAN-V1
Editorial Board Facilitation Guide
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Establishing the Editorial Board
45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will define the hierarchy of a professional newsroom and collaborate to assume specific editorial roles that align with their strengths, creating a structured foundation for their publication project.
Materials Needed
- Newsroom Roles Slides
- Editorial Board Plan (1 per team)
- Team Roster (Teacher use)
Key Terms
Editorial Board
The group of people who make final decisions on content.
Norms
Agreed-upon standards of behavior and communication.
Instructional Sequence
05 Min
Hook: The Newsroom Chaos
Ask: "What happens if every reporter writes whatever they want and sends it straight to the printer?" Lead into the necessity of an Editorial Board.
15 Min
Direct Instruction: Role Definitions
Present the Newsroom Roles Slides. Identify classmates (or self) who have the "soft skills" required for each role (e.g., "Who is the most eagle-eyed with typos?").
Discussion Prompt: "Why is the Managing Editor often called the 'heartbeat' of the paper?"
20 Min
Activity: The Editorial Assignment
Distribute the Editorial Board Plan. Groups fill it out by consensus.
Facilitation Tip
If two students want the same role, ask them to "Pitch" why they are a good fit.
Conflict Resolution
Remind students every role is vital. 5 Chiefs and 0 Copy Editors is a disaster.
05 Min
Closing: The Press Conference
Teams announce their Publication Name and their Editor-in-Chief. The Chief states one team norm.
Success Checklist
Every group has a unique and descriptive publication name.
Roles are assigned based on student strengths, not popularity.
Norms include specific behaviors for deadlines and feedback.
