Newspaper Cover Page Project Directions Sheet

(Unit Assessment)
During this unit, you have been immersed in various formats,
perspectives, and accounts of different problematic situations. With the skills and
insight you have gained from this unit, you will create a cover page of a
newspaper that aims to present a holistic account of a topic or event of your
choosing.

This project will be subjective, in that you as the editor will have the
opportunity to choose how the information will be presented. You will be giving a
short presentation on your project. Following your presentation there will be a
question/answer session on your newspaper cover-page. You should anticipate
these questions, and be prepared to answer them as well as preparing a few
questions to ask your classmates.

Part I: Newspaper Cover-Page

-Minimum of one 18x24 cover page or digital cover page.
-Minimum of 2 visuals (photo or video)
-Written element - Half of the cover page should be comprised of your
written text and/or quotes.
-Format similar to a standard newspaper
(see layouts suggested in resources section)
Part II: Rationale
-Explanation of your thought process during research and creation of the cover
page. (Approximately 500 words)
-Articulation of possible perpetuation or elimination of inequity prevalent in the
project whether intentional or unintentional. (300-500 words)
-Appropriate citation for images, quotes, and resources utilized in your project.
Citations will be in bibliography format at the end of your rationale.
Some questions to guide your rationale:
What components of media, stories, or images influenced your
interpretation of the event the most? Why do you think this is?
What types of bias did you see when researching? What types of bias
might be present in your project?
How might your project come across to other readers?

Resources
Examples of Newspaper Layout Templates:
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/81273.aspx
(Click on an image to bring it full size)
Create a Digital Newspaper:
http://www.newspaperclub.com/make-a-newspaper-online

Newspaper Cover Page Checklist

Format: (15%)
18x24 cover page or digital cover page
Includes at least two visuals (photo or video)
Written work makes up at least half of the cover page.
Obvious newspaper format
Content: (30%)
Topic is current (covered in media within the last month)
Offers multiple perspectives and holistic view of the topic
Evidence is gathered from at least three sources
Paraphrasing and direct quotes are properly cited
Few grammatical and spelling errors.
Rationale: (30%)
Answers all questions provided on assignment direction sheet
Meets word count requirement
Clear effort and thought in reflection on process and potential
inequity.
Bibliography page in MLA format with appropriate citation for
images, quotes, and resources utilized.
Presentation: (15%)
Present information in a clear and concise manner (3-5
minutes)
Able to answer and pose questions effectively (5 minutes)
Teacher Assessment and additional Comments: (10%)

 Student shows obvious effort, insight, and reflection in final

class discussion.

Image Analysis Guide

Make notes on the following aspects of your image. These observations should lead to analysis
of the meaning of this image.

Perspective:

Foreground/Background:

Color/lighting:

Focus/Spacing:

Characters:

Other:

How do the visual elements of this image help you to come to the
conclusion of what this image is saying?

How does this image deal with any of the following themes: Identity, race,
justice, inequity, or others you find on your own.

Materials for lesson 7

Media Topic Presentation
Directions:
Your group will be giving a 5-10 minute presentation on one story from the media. You will have
time in class to do additional research. Your goal is to identify the visual, textual, and narrative
format of this media story. You must also explain to the class the target audience of this story, the
potential stance of the piece, any biases you noticed, and any inequities you came across in this
story. You must present your form of media to the class and provide us with any additional
information we may need to fully understand the story. Everyone must participate in your
presentation in some way.

Steps:
1. What is your media (News Video, Article, etc.)? Provide the link, name of the
article, or other information to access this media.
2. Additional information about this story. Do research to help the class get a
holistic perspective on this story.
3.

Format
How is this visually formatted?
How is this textually formatted?
What is the narrative format of this story?

4. Who is the target audience?

5. What is the potential stance of this piece?
6. What biases were presented in this story?
7. Did you find any inequities within this story? If so, explain.
8. How will you present this information? Who will say what?
9. What are some questions my classmates may have?

Monster Character Organizer

LP5
Character

Textual Evidence

IYOW (in your own

words)

Steve Harmon

Kathy OBrien
(Defense Attorney
to Steve Harmon)

Sandra Petrocelli
(Asst. District
Attorney/Prosecutor
)

Detective Williams

Asa Briggs
(Defense attorney
for James King)

Salvatore Zinzi

Significance to Steve

Richard Bobo
Evans

James King

Osvaldo Cruz

Alguinaldo Nesbitt