Crucible News, Honors American Studies
Your name:
Final Project due Friday, October 5
Group Members’ Names:
[Other deadlines for classwork are as follows: Draft of Article: Thursday, 27th; Draft of Editorial:
Monday, October 1st; Draft for Other Submission: Tuesday, October 2nd]
Your group will create a newspaper from the year 1692 reporting the events of Salem, Massachusetts.
Your newspaper will reflect another colony’s reaction to the events and the times. The Salem Witch Trials
will be the primary focus of at least one article (perhaps your cover article?) and each article will illustrate
your recent studies of the socio-political, moral, and emotional views of the day.
110 total points
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Groups of 2-5
Each member will contribute one editorial, one newspaper article, and one “submission of choice”
(ideas for each on back of sheet)
Individuals will use at least five words from The Crucible vocabulary list/study guide (these can
be from the supplemental list). These can all be used in one piece of writing, or distributed among
the different submissions.
Each article and submission will reflect an understanding of The Crucible text – including themes,
characterization, and plot, as well as the supplementary classroom materials (class conversations,
primary documents, Out of Many, “History of Modern American Drama,” “Are You Now or Were
You Ever?” and the worksheets on editorials and articles.) It is not expected that each submission
will contain references to everything, but that your three items will reflect a broad understanding
that incorporate multiple sources.
Your newspaper will want to have variety, so your group should discuss and decide how you will
balance your publication. For example, three obituaries, five crossword puzzles, or 10 political
cartoons would not feel balanced.
Individual Rubric Criteria ~ please include a copy of this rubric with your final project.
Article is well organized in a standard “triangle” format (byline, headline, lead paragraph, explanation,
and additional information – see handout) with adherence to grammar, sentence structure, and writing that
is clear and compelling.
/10
Article is informed by the play and coursework – including themes, characterization, plot, as well as
supplementary classroom articles, textbook, and discussions.
/10
Editorial is evident as such – it is explanative, interpretive, critical, persuasive, praising or persuasive and
offers an objective explanation and opposing viewpoints. It contains a standard introduction, body, and
strong conclusion. See handout for details.
/10
Editorial is informed by the play and coursework – including themes, characterization, plot, as well as
supplementary classroom articles, textbook, and discussions.
/10
Optional submission reflects influence(s) from the play and coursework – themes, characterization, plot,
etc. as well as supplemental materials. It is creative, complete, adheres to its desired form.
/20
A total of five vocabulary words are used correctly and in a meaningful and/or defining context. /10
The three submissions represent a variety of influences, different topics, and relations to the play. /10
Group Rubric Criteria
Newspaper represents a variety of submissions, creating a well-rounded reading experience and flavor of
the times.
/10
Each group member shares in responsibility, whether the duties be divided and delegated or shared.
/10
Professionalism in presentation. This includes prioritization in placement and creativity as well as “x
factor” that illustrates significant effort. *Expectation level of layout is to be determined
/10
Ideas, Suggestions, and Past Successes
Note: These are suggestions. You may choose your own topics, but you will want to make sure that you
are able to adequately represent your understanding of the play and the coursework through your
selection (see rubric). Please see me if you would like to discuss a potential topic.
Articles
1. An article reporting the facts or events of the Salem Witch Trials from the perspective of your colony.
Feel free to relate it to your colony: would it/could it happen to you?
2. A biographical sketch on a character from the play or Cotton Mather, William Penn, Roger Williams,et
al., with a comparison to a prominent religious or political figure in your colony.
3. A focus article on Salem’s justice, bravery, zealotry, or truth and how it compares to your colony.
4. A small research-based article depicting local news of 1692 (weather/crops, trading, issues of
slavery/Indians, focus on a person in the news).
5. An article that compares the religion of the Puritans as depicted in The Crucible and other sources to
the religion in your own colony.
6. A biographical sketch of Judge Hathorne, Deputy Governor Danforth, or other newsworthy character.
Editorials
1. A “special report” on the role that scapegoating, mass hysteria, fear, and guilt play in The Crucible.
2. The effects of the myth of imperfection. Some historians believe that an inflexibility and intolerance for
imperfection contributed to the downfall of Puritan communities. Does the myth contribute to the
downfall of Puritanism? Or does it sow the seeds of democracy?
3. An editorial on the importance of identifying “witches.”
4. A lauding or scathing commentary on a character’s actions.
“Others”
1. A letter to the editor by a clergyman, politician, or business leader from your colony reacting to
the events in The Crucible.
2. An interview with a character from The Crucible.
3. A review of The Crucible.
4. An obituary.
5. A related creative writing piece, poem, or short story.
6. A crossword puzzle.*
7. A political cartoon.*
8. An advice/Dear Abby-type column.
9. The casting of The Crucible (it is okay to use modern actors).*
*Warning: some options require careful details or complex clues to demonstrate a deep level of
understanding. See rubric criteria.
Reverend Hale’s Puritan Turnovers
Ingredients:
3 cups Religious Fervor (Puritan flavor)
1 cup Fear of Authorities
1 bunch Books Weighted with Authority
3 heaping tablespoons Pride
2 cups Faulty Logic
3 drops Yellow food coloring
pinch of Truth
1 pint Compassion
sprinkle Guilt
1 piece Rope
Directions:
Start with Religious Fervor and Books Weighted with Authorities. Knead until
thoroughly mixed. Slowly fold in Faulty Logic, one chunk at a time. Sprinkle Pride
over mixture and blend until thoroughly combined. Place in a hot Salem kettle. When
mixture is in the heat, the backbone will be exposed. Carefully remove and discard.
Add Yellow food coloring.
During cooking, mixture will slowly turn colors. Carefully add Truth. The yellow
color will fade, giving way to a vibrant color. The Pride in the mixture will shrink,
giving way to a healthier formation. Add Compassion. The Turnovers will remove
themselves from the heat. Serve on a plain dish, garnished with a portion of Rope .
Preparation Time: Three months
Serves: Two people: Elizabeth and John Proctor. Perhaps not quite enough for either.
*Even though the newspaper is 1692, one of the articles or the “other” could be written from any modern
perspective. This is an option -- not a requirement -- that may allow you to refer to the Miller article,
McCarthyism, or a Hollywood casting article with justification, etc.