Project: News Satire Name: Class: Intro In this project, you will create a satire that will function as political commentary, social commentary, humor, or a mix of the three. It may connect to the original cartoon(s) that you made, or it may be on a completely different subject matter. By the end of this project you will demonstrate the following skills: 1. Demonstrate you can create an original, Oakland Magazine appropriate news satire, at least 300 words, that serves as political commentary, social commentary and humor. 2. Demonstrate you can apply the standards of English grammar and conventions. 3. Demonstrate you can follow the Rules for News Writing (see page 2) 4. Demonstrate you can use the Workflow to apply the writing process and inform your progress. 5. Demonstrate a professional attitude when things are easy and when challenges arise. This packet includes a Timeline, a Work Flow Checklist, a Peer Review Questionnaire, a Peer Review Notes page, and a Final Project Rubric by which you will be graded. If you finish the project and have time, create a cartoon that connects to your topic as it will make your life easier when you design your layout. Timeline Step 1: You will critique and analyze multiple example satires to learn key concepts. Step 2: You will learn the key structural and formatting rules to writing a news article (even if it is a satire). Step 3: You will brainstorm and write your idea for a satire using the satire pre-write worksheet. Step 4: You will write your own satire. Step 5: You will peer review another student s satire as well as have your own satire peer-reviewed. Step 6: You will write the final draft of your satire. Step 7: You will save the satire in your personal folder to access when you create your layout of the magazine. 1
Workflow Brainstorm your idea and write the LOCATION, WHO, WHAT and WHEN on page 2. Read and reread the Newswriting Rules at the top of page 2 to make sure you understand them. Also read and reread the rubric to understand how it will be graded. Write the rough Pre-Write of your satire (doing your best to follow the Newswriting Rules) on pages 2-3. Use your rough Pre-Write (try to get to at least the 2 nd page of the Pre-Write) to type your rough draft. Your goal should be 300 words. Format with Times New Roman and double-spaced. Conduct a peer review with another student (as agreed upon with Mr. Kellogg). See pages 4-5. Use the notes on Page 6 to write down ideas that you will consider following. Go back and make final changes to your satire. Print your final draft. Grade yourself using the rubric. Turn in this packet and the final draft together in my collection tray. 2
Satire Pre-write Name: Apply formal Newswriting Rules to news satire: a. ASAP point out who, what, where, when later elaborate on how, why b. Paragraphs are shorter: 1-4 sentences in length c. Do not use quotations back to back d. Do not use a quotation to open the article e. Avoid the appearance of your opinion and no I f. Don t repeat yourself. Every sentence is fresh all the way to the end. (LOCATION ) (Who, what and when) (How and Why) 3
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Satire Peer Evaluation Name of reviewer: Name of writer: Directions: Get the satire of person you are reviewing and then separate yourself from that person so you are forced to only use the words on the page to understand. Answer each question with care. Use complete sentences for all answers. You may also mark the draft of the person you are reviewing. After you finish, join the person and walk them through your Peer Evaluation, question by question, allowing them to take notes. 1. What do you like best about the satire? Why? 2. What is the lead of the fake news story and does it include who, what, when and where? What are they? 3. Does the lead make you want to read the rest of the story? If so, why? If not, why? 4. Summarize the main how and the main why of the satire. 5. Are there places where you wish the writer had included more visual language (showing rather than telling) If so, where? 5
6. Are there parts that should be left out (for instance, it is offensive or the article is repeating itself)? What are they and why should they be left out? 7. Are quotations written correctly? For instance: Today should be your best opportunity to go sunblind this year, said Ray Bowden, a scientist with the National Weather Institute. If you haven t gone blind, then you re not really trying. 8. Are there places where the writer could have used more exact or appropriate words? What words do you suggest? 9. Is the satire presented logically (even though it is a joke)? Are there any parts you found confusing? If so, what parts? 10. What is the biggest thing the writer could do to most improve the satire? 6
Write your notes from your Peer Review below: 7
Satire News Rubric Important Information Reporting Structure Beginning Approaching Meeting Exceeding The article does not The article tells 3 of The article provides tell who, what, the following: who, all 5 W s: who, information on all 5 when, where or what, when, where what, where, when, W s and how with how/why. The fake or why/how. The why and how. The hilarious fake facts, facts feel incomplete fake facts feel fake facts are thoughtful connections or don t connect. complete. complete and and descriptive The article lacks a lead. a flat lead. connect with insight. a catchy, funny lead and supporting details connect and amuse. The article concludes appropriately for the satire language. The article begins with a super catchy lead followed by funny and insightful supporting details. The article does not conclude abruptly and leaves the reader fulfilled. Headline Writing Mechanics Image The headline does not fit The article is vague and unclear. many spelling errors. many grammatical or formatting errors. No image to combine with satire The headline is bland but exists multiple sentences that are unclear to the reader. multiple spelling errors. multiple grammatical or formatting errors. Image that you created combines with satire but doesn t really work a catchy headline. The article is clear and concise. limited spelling errors. limited grammatical or formatting errors. Image that you created fits with satire The article creates a headline perfect for the satire Writing is descriptive, providing detailed information. An extensive vocabulary is used to keep the reader interested and informed. The article contains no grammar or formatting errors. Image that you created enhances satire Word count At least 180 words. At least 220 words. 250-300 words. 300+ words. Student name: Grade: 8