Magazine/Newsletter Project: Day One

We will start today by looking at some magazines. Magazine writing is one way in which young or inexperienced authors can break into the writing field. It's not easy, though. But there are enough magazines out there for every kind of reader.

Library task: flip through samples of 2-3 magazines during period 3. Mark your observations on the handout sheet (to be turned in for participation credit).
Note:

• What is the magazine's title?
• identify the audience for this magazine (who is likely to be the reader of this magazine?)
• What sorts of articles does the magazine seem to print? (list some topics or themes)
• Read ONE article in full. List its title and add a summary of the article.
• Why do you think there are so many ads in this magazine?
• What patterns of ads do you notice? How might the ads target the reader of this kind of magazine?
• If you were to write for this magazine, what would your article be about?

Back in the lab (4th period):
 
Open a template for a newsletter. I'd suggest using Microsoft Word or Pages, but if you are comfortable with InDesign, feel free to use that.

Choose a partner. You (and your partner) will create a newsletter (2 sided) where you complete the following:

• 1. Decide on the kind of newsletter/magazine you would like to work on with your partner. 
• 2. Brainstorm some names for the magazine/newsletter. Titles usually help a prospective reader find and identify the kind of magazine he/she would like to read.
• 3. Brainstorm some potential article ideas. 
• 4. Create headlines for your article ideas. These should be short and intriguing titles. Be creative!
• 5. If you have brainstormed at least 5 story ideas and titles, you may begin writing the articles. Make up details or conduct research as you see fit, but above all: be detailed and creative! 

Most newspaper articles interview or have short quotes from participants. Newspaper articles answer: who, what, where, when, how, and why? about a particular event.


Homework: None.