Written Communication: Feature Article on Jobs in Mental Health
Attention
Yes, you are going to be a little blue reporter!
Learning Outcomes
This assignment is designed to address Written Communication learning outcomes. These specific outcomes are incorporated into the grading rubrics for the papers.
If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Written Communication
Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:
- Interview and/or job shadow a person who holds a position in the mental health field
- Contrast the content of the interview or job shadow with descriptions of the position available through the Department of Labor
- Demonstrate competency in writing
Teaching
You are a feature reporter for the Morning Sentinal newspaper. You have been tasked with writing a feature article about jobs in the mental health field. Your audience is the general population of Waterville, ME so you cannot assume that this population understands mental health jargon and terms.
The purpose of the feature article is to educate the public as to what these jobs entail, their working conditions, and what makes the jobs different from "official" sources of job descriptions (US Department of Labor).
US Department of Labor Website
Dictionary of Occupational Titles Website
Write a compelling, entertaining, descriptive, and educational article reflecting your interview and/or job shadow experience.
Assessment
Interview/Job Shadow Article
Use the rubric below to ensure that your article meets the expectations of this assignment.
| Title | Top of the page includes a title and a "by..." line. | required |
| Article | Article is compelling, entertaining, descriptive, and educational. It also includes a contrast between the Department of Labor description and the "real" job. |
required |
| Context and Purpose | Demonstrates attention to context (newspaper), audience (general public), and purpose (educate). | 20 pts |
| Content Development | Writing demonstrates the writer's deep understanding of the career being investigated. | 30 pts |
| Conventions | Writing is organized, formatted, and presented in a manner that is similar to other newspaper articles. | 10 pts |
| Sources and Evidence | High quality and credible resources are utilized to support points made in the article. | 10 pts |
| Mechanics | Article reflects a graceful flow of ideas integrated into a coherent message which is free of syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors | 30 pts |