Period5: Civil War Newspaper NAME: ___________________________
Due: ___________
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read all about it! It is said that journalists get the first draft of an event and historians get every subsequent draft. Your task is to create a newspaper from a period during the Civil War complete with articles highlighting the progress of the war, social/political/economic changes and significant people.
Living in the time, you and your team of journalists will write as witnesses “from the middle of the action” to some of the most important events in American history – but without knowledge of what happens later in American history.
Purpose:
Analyze the significance of smaller developments to the larger time period of 1844 to 1877.
Task:
Write articles as part of (and from the perspective of) a northern or southern city newspaper during the Civil War. The finished project should reflect your understanding of the events of the Civil War including major battles, personalities, issues related to both northern and southern experiences, issues related to soldier life, and political concerns.
Requirements
You and your partners should include the following articles in your edition:
 2 news articles regarding events of the Civil War
 1 editorial (reflecting the editor’s perspective on a Civil War controversy)
 2 advertisements
 1 letter to the editor regarding recent Civil War events
 1 political cartoon
 1 brief international news report
 2 obituaries
 at least five actual Civil War photographs
Considerations:
1.
Include a “by” line for each article so that you can receive credit.
2.
Construct and publish your work using GoogleDrive and shared with mosterbh@npenn.org
3.
Research will likely enhance your work a.
Keep in mind the library databases b.
The first step is to ask the questions any reporter would: Who? What? When? Where?
Why? How? Determine what information is most important to relay to your readers.
4.
Although there are no specific length requirements, write your articles in a concise, professional manner, while still giving the reader enough detail to understand what is going on.
5.
Create creative but informative headlines.

Events Battles Politics Society Economy People

Obituaries. What was the significance and contributions of specific individual who passed away?

Fashion page . What were the styles of the period? Include pictures and your own text.

Financial report.
What was the economy like during this period? New businesses or products?

Entertainment/Sports page. What did leisure look like during the period?
Rubric :
20 - 18
 The newspaper fulfills the purpose of the assignment.
 The article written is stylistically reminiscent of a newspaper providing insightful main ideas, meaningful context, and vivid examples.
 The images are poignant and enhance one’s understanding of the written article.
 The headline is clever and attention getting.
 The assignment is accurate and meets the minimum requirements.
17 - 16
 The newspaper is focused around the purpose of the assignment.
 The article written is a final draft with balance of main ideas and details.
 The image compliments the written article.
 The assignment is accurate and meets the minimum requirements.
15 - 14
 The assignment is accurate and meets the minimum requirements.