History Reading Project (Grade 7)
For the third and fourth quarters you shall choose a book to read. Your selections must be from post-Reconstruction (1877) to 1975.
We’ll go to the library to find appropriate books or you may find them elsewhere. The book you choose must be approved by Miss Bowman before you begin your project!
Third Quarter:
Miss Bowman must see your book and record it by Friday, February 5, 2016
The project is due: Friday, March 18, 2016
Fourth Quarter:
Miss Bowman must see your book and record it by Friday, April 8, 2016
The project is due: Thursday, May 26, 2016
Directions:
1. Write a press release about your book (see opposite page for format), which includes the following information:
o Title of book (in italics whenever written)
o Author’s Name
o Genre of book
o Historical events briefly explained
o Main character(s) briefly described (special qualities)
o Your opinion/recommendation
o Picture of book cover
· All reports should (30 points):
o Be typed and double-spaced
o Have 1” margins
o Use Times New Roman font, size 12
o No more than ONE page
o Separate page with MLA citations
o Submitted to turnitin.com by the 11:59PM on the due date.
o Time permitting, present your project to the class
**3 point deduction for not submitting your project to turnitin.com on time
**3 point deduction for lateness (project)
**10% deduction for plagiarism (1st offense)
Head &
Lead
(message) / The message is clear and compelling. It's not simply informative, but charged with interest and a sense of importance that involves the reader. A great lead will make the reader say, "I want to know more!" / The message is identifiable. A reader already interested in the subject will keep reading. The essential 5 W's are there. It's informative rather than compelling. / The message is absent. The lead does not convey the 5 W's. There is no reason to expect a reader to keep on reading.
Key
Ideas / The story's best 5 W's have been exploited, and the other key ideas have been assigned their place to support the message. Effective use of quotes. / The story's 5 W's can be identified. Other key ideas are present but could be arranged more effectively in support of the message. No quotes, or they're bland, or poorly identified, or don't move the story forward. / The writer does not seem to have definitely decided on all 5 W's, or has otherwise left out key information. Poor organization. Repetitiveness. No quotes. Release too short.
Journal-
istic
style / Release is written in cool, crisp journalistic style. The tone is ostensibly dispassionate and objective, even when enthusiasm is evident. / Release attempts journalistic style, but other influences invade, including newsletter chattiness, or promotional puffery, or narrative. / The writer does not understand what journalistic style is.
Basics / Spelling, punctuation & grammar consistently good. Sentences effectively and pleasantly varied, with few subordinate clauses -- rarely more than three typewritten lines. Paragraphs are each based on one dominant idea, and rarely exceed three sentences. / Occasional spelling errors. Unclear on punctuation rules. Minor difficulties with grammar amounting to awkward structure or poor choices, not glaring errors. Sentences too long or too choppy. Paragraph structure does not reflect organized thoughts. / Poor spelling AND poor punctuation AND poor grammar. Run-on sentences, fragmented sentences. Poor understanding of principles of paragraphing.
PRESS RELEASE TEMPLATE
Contact Information:
{Production and/or Distribution Company}
{Contact person}
{Production Company} Announces Opening of {Title of Book}
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
{City, State} – {Production and/or Distribution Company} {is/are} proud to announce the opening of {book title}, a {comedy, romance, action film} starring {names of main character(s)}, and written by {name of author}.
{Book title} is the story of {short synopsis of the book, including main historical events}.
{Names of main character(s)} stars in this movie; this is a {breakthrough performance, moving tale, something that gives more description about movie and the main character’s special qualities}.
Critics say, {quote from you about the book, favorite part or connection you made, recommendation, etc.}.
{Include picture of book cover at the bottom}