Historical Fiction
Newspaper Project
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! After reading your historical fiction
book, you will be creating a newspaper based on your story. You may use
any paper you choose, but it should be large enough to fit all the articles.
In your newspaper be sure to include the following:
1. Create a title for your paper. This can refer to your name, a character in the book, etc.
This should be at the top of the newspaper.
2. Underneath the title of the newspaper in a smaller font, write the book that the
newspaper is based on, the reporter's name (this is you!), and the date (the date the
story took place). Draw a line underneath these headings to separate this section from the
rest of the paper.
3. Divide the rest of your newspaper into three columns.
4. In the middle column, write the cover story. This should be the summary of your story
and should include a title. For example, the title for The Hound of the Baskervilles might
be, "Baskerville Family Plagued by Demon Dog." Be sure to include the main characters,
setting, and main problem and solution in your article. **Please note: You do not have to
include the additional story in your newspaper, but you must include it in your oral
presentation. (See second page for more details).
5. In one column, you will be writing an advice column. You will write a letter from the
main character to the reporter of the newspaper (this is you!) for advice on how to solve a
problem in the story (this should be different than the main conflict). You will then need
to write another letter to the main character from the reporter (you) giving them advice on
how to solve the problem, as it was solved in the story.
6. In another column, you will be writing a book review for your story. You need to give
your recommendation for the book. This should include a rating (four stars, two thumbs
up, etc.), a reason for your recommendation, and a moral lesson or information that can
be learned from your story.
7. Somewhere in the rest of your newspaper, you will include a 2 pieces of your
choice. What you include is up to you, but it must be related to newspapers and your
book. For example, you might want to include a comic strip to retell a funny scene from
the story. Or you might want to write an advertisement for an important object in your
book. You can do a crossword, obituary, marriage or birth announcement, etc. Be
creative!
REMINDERS:
*This is a newspaper, so it should be typed, neat, and easy to read.
* You should use correct spelling and punctuation.
* There should not be empty spaces on your newspaper. Use pictures or
think of another article to include if you need to fill up space.
*It should be written in a newspaper format. For example, in a summary
of To Kill a Mockingbird you might say, "Maycomb was an ordinary
country town with extraordinary challenges." Think of how a reporter tells a
story.
* Practice, practice, practice before presenting to the class. You will feel
so much more comfortable and be much more prepared for your
presentation.
*Be creative and have fun with this project! ! !
Historical Fiction Newspaper Project
You will be assessed in three areas for this project:
1. Newspaper
2. Oral Presentation Content
* Since you will be writing a newspaper, you should give part of your oral presentation to
the class as a reporter. You can use props (such as a microphone and news desk) in your
speech. You can also video tape this part of the project like a news reporter might do. If
you need other reporters in your newscast, they are welcome, too!
* Your project should include two stories: one which is the cover story (a summary
which includes the main characters, setting, problem, and solution), and an additional
story of your choice! This second story could be a weather report, smaller story, or even
a commercial, but it must relate to your newspaper.
*The rest of your project (which is not given in the form of a newscast) should include
the title and author of your story, your recommendation for the book, and what you
learned after reading the story. You can also use this time to discuss the rest of your
newspaper if you choose.
3. Oral Presentation Skills
For an excellent presentation:
* speak clearly and at a steady pace
*be easily heard by the class
*use expression in your voice
*make frequent eye contact (you may use note cards to help you, but do not read them word for
word)
*have good posture and a calm body
*present in a newscast format