Colonial Newspaper Project for The Scarlet Letter¨
While newspapers, as we know them today, were non-existent in the colonies, the first continuously-published newspaper, did appear in Boston on April 24, 1704, It was actually "referred to as a half-sheet,. . . . appearing on a single page, printed on both sides and issued weekly." 1
Of course, as you are aware, The Scarlet Letter is not colonial literature though it is set during colonial times. Hence, it is fitting that you design a newspaper for the residents of Boston, circa 1649. You may choose any date for your issue and still cover events throughout the novel. Since you will undoubtedly wish your newspaper to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize (translated, an "A"), it should be in appropriate newspaper format and be free of distracting mechanical errors. Diction and syntax should reflect contemporary standards. An award-winning paper will include the following:
·  Two feature articles -- Tell the story of an event in the book, the location of a missing journal or diary, and/or a colonial event that might have happened. Your features should be written as actual newspaper articles. You may also want to consider events in nearby communities. The accounts must be accurate according to the novel, but you may include additional invented information to flesh out the story (so long as you do not contradict the novel). Analyze recent events, especially controversial ones. Some ideas: "Woman Seeks Custody of a Pearl," or "The Comet: Good or Evil?”.
·  One interview article -- Create an interview with a character in the book. Your interview must be presented as an article, not just a question and answer dialogue. The character's responses to questions must reveal insights into that character's relationship to a particular theme of the novel and must be accurate according to the events in the novel and Hawthorne's characterization.
·  One obituary -- Base your obituary on a character in the book. Similar to the obituary, it should reveal insights into that character's relationship to a particular theme of the novel and must be accurate according to the events in the novel and Hawthorne's characterization.
·  Two editorials -- Your editorials should derive from the events and themes of the novel. Develop your opinion in each clearly and persuasively. Before writing your editorials, read several editorials in local newspapers and reread some of the op-ed pieces we have read in class.
·  One lifestyle article -- Focus on upcoming local celebrations (election day), fashion news, or Boston gossip.
·  One "Dear Hester" column -- Yes, you will be writing a good old-fashioned advice column.
·  One cartoon -- If you can't draw, you can always modify a contemporary cartoon. Remember that political cartoons often employ symbolism.
·  Two advertisements -- Your advertisements should relate to the needs of the residents of the community (needlework, housing, repairs, travel).
/ Your newspaper should be developed and edited by a staff of four students. All staff members (including the editors) will share equally in the prize.
¨This project was created by Mrs. Michelle Garbis, Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida, and Mrs. Marcie Belgard, Hanford High School, Richland, Washington.
1"America's First Newspaper." http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/newspaper/. See also http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/past/index.html.
GRADING of Colonial Newspaper Project
REQUIREMENTS:
ü Everyone must contribute to the newspaper and write at least one article.
ü All articles must be accurate according to the events in the novel and/or Hawthorne’s characterization (or, if a feature article dealing with an event in history, historically accurate).
ü All articles should have headlines and captions that capture the reader’s attention and accurately describe the content.
ü The newspaper should be visually appealing. Columns should be neatly typed in the “justified” type style. A glance at the newspaper makes you think “professional.”
ü Graphics (if used with articles) should be exceptional, well cropped, and clearly related to the articles they accompany.
ü Graphics for advertisements and cartoons should be neat and visually appealing.
GRADING
All articles will be grading for the following:
Accurate Information
Well Written
Creativity
Lack of Errors
2 Feature articles – 30 points
Interview – 15 points
Obituary – 10 points
Two Editorials – 30 points
One Lifestyle Article – 10 points
One Dear Hester – 10 points
One Cartoon – 10 points
Two Advertisements – 10 points
Overall Appearance - 25 points
TOTAL - 150 points