K. Melvin
ENGL 11 Name: ________________________
The Crucible: Newspaper Project
Assignment
You are the staff of the local Salem newspaper in 1692. You have been very busy lately because the town faces a historic crisis. Hundreds of people have been accused and arrested of witchcraft. The town is anxious to read the next edition of your newspaper! Of course, you are obligated to abide by a few publication guidelines:
1. Every report, article, photo, and info graphic must stay related to the theme of the newspaper: the plot, characters, and symbolism in The Crucible.
2. This newspaper has been in your family for years, meaning you take great pride in this publication. You must write with details and specific language. You must also scrutinize your grammar and conventions because there is nothing more embarrassing than publishing a newspaper with spelling/punctuation errors.
Requirements: Title your Newspaper
Newspaper requirements (you are encouraged to have more than the minimum):
1. 2 Typed Reports. As a reporter, summarize two major events in The Crucible. (15 Points)
a. These two reports need to be a minimum of 150 words, typed.
b. These two reports should summarize two crucial events in the play. Make sure your reports are accurate, and detailed with relevant information from the event (who, where, what, when, why).
c. Remember you are writing these as a reporter, meaning these need to be written in third person, not first person (No “I,” “we,” or “you” pronouns). Address characters with “Goody,” “Reverend,” or “Excellency” when necessary.
2. 2 Info Graphics. Select 3 of the following options to embellish your newspaper: (15 points)
a. A paparazzi photo catching a character out and about in Salem. This photo must have a caption.
b. A classified section advertising a minimum of 3 available jobs in Salem.
c. A paragraph review article for a song or film that reminds you of something in The Crucible. Make sure to provide the lyrics for the song, or write a summary for the film to accompany your review. In your review article, explain how this song or movie relates to The Crucible.
d. Write your own song/poem relating to The Crucible.
e. An advertisement for a product someone would need in Salem in 1692.
f. An editorial cartoon accentuating a character’s sins or virtues.
g. A letter from an anonymous, or identified, Crucible character or townsperson asking for advice.
3. 2 “Fillers:” These can be photos, illustrations, horoscopes, word puzzles, real estate ads, weather reports, etc. to enhance your newspaper. (5 Points)
4. ONE editorial FROM EVERY GROUP MEMBER: (35 Writing/Essay points per individual group member)
a. Every reporter on your staff (every group member) must write an editorial expressing his/her opinion about who is most to blame for the Salem Witch Trials. These editorials need to be arranged on the newspaper in an organized, editorial column.
b. Each group member’s editorial will be graded individually, separate from the Newspaper Project. Follow the rubric specific to the editorial, which shows how I will assess your editorial.
Note: You will collaborate with 3-4 other reporters and your newspaper will be presented to the class on the due date. This project will count as a Test/Quiz grade. Don’t forget to be creative and have fun! The newspaper (# 1-3) is a shared group grade. The individual editorial (#4) is an individual grade.
The Final project can be presented on poster board, butcher paper, in a bound magazine format or as a digital newspaper. You are encouraged to use publishing programs and various media to create a professional product.
Final Newspaper Due Date and Presentations: Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Newspaper Evaluation:
Quality: _______/15 Points
· Shows evidence of thought and effort
· Attention to detail (format is pleasing to the eye; pieces are organized to replicate newspaper)
Content: _______/35 Points
· Demonstrates knowledge of the play’s plot and meaning
· Writing pieces are well developed and contain zero to few spelling/grammar errors.
· Follows directions. All pieces are included.
Participation and Presentation: _______/10 points
· Group members use class time wisely to work on project.
· Presentation is well rehearsed and flows smoothly. Presenters speak clearly. All group members participate in presentation.
TOTAL GROUP POINTS (Test/Quiz grade): _________/60
INDIVIDUAL EDITORIAL POINTS (Major Writing/Essay grade): ________/35
Cry Witch!
I love assigning group projects because it allows you to collaborate with your colleagues to truly compose and produce wonderful pieces to reflect a deep understanding of the literature we read. Yet, I absolutely detest lazy group members who plan to sit back and do little work while their group members diligently work away. To ensure this does not happen, I encourage all students to point their fingers at the lazy ones, and cry “witch” against them. To ensure fair judgment, I will:
a. Be constantly watching you. I will note who is working, and who is straying off task.
b. Ask you to evaluate your own work ethic, and your group members’ work ethic by completing this “Cry Witch” Group Member Evaluation Form.
Individual Editorial Assignment
What is an editorial? An editorial page of a newspaper is where fact and opinion mix. Editorialists offer opinion on current issues affecting many people and may offer solutions to explain the “root” of the problem. Editorials do not contain “I” statements (“I think or “I believe”); instead, the writer cleverly presents an argument based on facts that support his or her opinion. As an editorialist for your Salem Newspaper, it is your job to persuade the reader to agree with your final opinion in response to the following prompt:
Which character is most to blame for the Salem Witch Trials and dreadful hangings?
Requirements: 2 paragraph minimum
· Clearly identified and expressed opinion
· 2 reasons that support your opinion.
· MINIMUM 2 quotes of evidence from the play to support your two reasons. (Hint: use your character/vocab chart. Yes, there was a reason for your hard work).
· Typed, double-spaced with your name attributed to the article.
· Your editorial must be printed as a hard copy and attached to your group’s newspaper if you want credit for it.
Individual Editorial Evaluation:
Content:_______/10 points
· The opinion (claim) is clear and introduced within first paragraph.
· Claim is supported with a minimum of two specific reasons and evidence from the play.
· Commentary is provided to explain how and why evidence supports the claim.
Organization:________/10 points
· Paragraphs are well developed and thorough.
· Clear connections are drawn between evidence and reasons.
Vocie:________/5 points
· No “I” statements. Writer is persuasive and confident.
Conventions: _________/5 points
· Writing has obviously been proofread. Spelling and grammar errors are not distracting.
Format:________/5 points
· Typed, double-spaced with your name attached, as if you are an editorialist.
Total INDIVIDUAL Writing/Essay Points:_________/35
**If you do not attach your own editorial to the newspaper, it will not hurt your group members, but it will do some wicked damage to your own grade**