A Classroom Guide for Educators

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the role of sports journalism within the broader media landscape

• Report accurately and ethically on sporting events

• Conduct structured interviews with athletes, coaches, and staff

• Write multiple forms of sports stories with clarity and purpose

• Use photography and video as journalistic tools

• Publish and present professional-quality work

Unit 1: Introducing Sports Journalism in the Classroom

Teaching Focus

Begin by framing sports journalism as journalism first, sports second. Many students initially view sports reporting as opinion-based or entertainment-driven. This unit corrects that misconception.

Key teaching points:

• Sports journalism documents history

• It informs communities

• It demands accuracy and accountability

• It requires ethical judgment

Introduce students to the variety of sports journalism roles, including beat reporters, editors, photographers, broadcasters, and digital content producers. Modern digital producers often use interactive elements and deep-dive analysis to keep readers engaged. For instance, analyzing how digital platforms use investigative techniques, such as unraveling hidden hints, can help students understand how to maintain audience interest through complex storytelling and discovery-based content.

Classroom Strategy

Provide students with examples of:

• A game recap

• A feature story

• An investigative sports article

Lead a discussion on how tone, structure, and sourcing differ between formats.

Unit 2: Ethics and Standards in Sports Reporting

Why Ethics Matter in Sports Journalism

Teachers should emphasize that sports journalists face ethical decisions as often as political or investigative reporters. Common classroom discussion topics include:

• Reporting on injuries and health issues

• Covering minors in school sports

• Handling rumors and social media speculation

• Maintaining neutrality when covering school teams

Introduce students to core journalism principles:

• Accuracy over speed

• Fairness and balance

• Transparency

• Accountability

Teaching Activity

Use case studies from real sports reporting controversies. Ask students to analyze:

• What went wrong

• What ethical principles were violated

• How the story could have been handled differently

Unit 3: Teaching Sports Writing Fundamentals

Core Writing Formats to Teach

Teachers should introduce students to the primary types of sports journalism writing:

• Game recaps

• Previews

• Profiles

• Feature stories

• Opinion columns (clearly labeled)

Explain that each format serves a different reader need and requires a different reporting approach.

Article Structure Instruction

Break down the anatomy of a sports article:

1. Lead: the most newsworthy or compelling information

2. Nut graf: context and significance

3. Body: quotes, stats, analysis

4. Conclusion: reflection or forward-looking insight

Classroom Assignment

Assign students to cover a school or local sporting event and write a structured game recap. Provide a checklist to reinforce accuracy, quotes, and attribution.

Unit 4: Teaching Interviewing Skills

Preparing Students to Interview

Teachers should stress preparation as a non-negotiable skill. Students should learn how to:

• Research teams and players

• Prepare open-ended questions

• Listen actively

• Ask follow-up questions

• Respect time and boundaries

In-Class Practice

Conduct mock interviews where students alternate roles as journalists, athletes, and coaches. This builds confidence and helps students learn how to respond to real-time answers.

Assessment Tip for Teachers

Evaluate interviews not just on the final quotes used, but on:

• Question quality

• Professionalism

• Accuracy of transcription

Unit 5: Teaching Photography and Video in Sports Journalism

Why Educators Must Include Visual Journalism

Modern sports journalism is multimedia by default. Teachers should ensure students understand that photos and video are not supplemental, they are core reporting elements.

Sports Photography Instruction

Key teaching topics:

• Anticipating action

• Capturing emotion and reaction

• Framing and composition

• Editorial sports photography platforms

• Ethical image selection

• Caption writing for journalism

Teachers do not need professional equipment; smartphones are sufficient if journalistic principles are emphasized.

Teaching Video Journalism

Introduce students to:

• Short highlight clips

• Post-game interview videos

• Story-focused visual sequences

• Basic editing techniques

• Captioning and accessibility requirements

Ethics in Visual Reporting

Teachers should reinforce:

• Consent and privacy

• Special considerations for minors

• Avoiding misleading edits

• Proper licensing of music and footage

Classroom Assignment

Require students to submit:

• A photo sequence with captions OR

• A short video report with a written explanation of editorial choices

Unit 6: Digital Publishing and Social Media Instruction

Teaching Sports Journalism in a Digital Environment

Educators should prepare students for the realities of digital publishing, including:

• Fast-paced news cycles

• Social media pressure

• Audience interaction

Best Practices to Teach

• Verification before posting

• Avoiding opinion in news reporting

• Clear sourcing

• Responsible use of hashtags and headlines

Introduce basic SEO concepts to help students understand discoverability without encouraging clickbait.

Culminating Project: Student Sports Journalism Portfolio

Project Overview

Teachers should assign a final project that synthesizes all learned skills.

Required components:

• A long-form sports story (800–1,200 words)

• At least one interview

• Original photography or video

• Ethical and editorial justification

Presentation Component

Students present their work, explaining:

• Reporting decisions

• Challenges encountered

• Ethical considerations

• Lessons learned

Assessment and Evaluation for Teachers

Teachers may assess students using the following criteria:

• Accuracy and fact-checking

• Writing clarity and structure

• Ethical decision-making

• Visual storytelling quality

• Professional conduct and deadlines

Rubrics help standardize expectations and provide transparency.

Supporting Career Awareness in the Classroom

Conclude the unit by helping students understand how sports journalism skills apply to:

• Journalism and media careers

• Communications and marketing

• Photography and videography

• Digital content strategy

• Public relations and sports media roles

Encourage students to begin building a portfolio and following professional sports journalists for inspiration.

Conclusion: Teaching Sports Journalism with Purpose

For teachers, sports journalism is a powerful instructional tool. It engages students while reinforcing essential skills such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, and multimedia literacy. By teaching sports journalism as a serious discipline, educators prepare students for real-world media environments and responsible storytelling.

When taught intentionally, sports journalism becomes more than a class unit; it becomes a platform for student voice, accountability, and professional growth.