Newspaper (analysis and writing)

up to 180 mins of lesson.

Lesson begins with analysing real newspapers (either online, or physical papers), looking for articles on various topics (immigrants/LGBTQ+/racism/environment/EU politics/art,etc), gauging the political slant of the paper, and how the paper has chosen to cover the headlines for the day chosen.

Students should be given plenty of time to read articles that interest them, attempt puzzles, discuss the articles in small groups.

Find a news story that occurs in all papers, and have students compare how the paper approaches the news/topic.

The students should spend the rest of the time organising themselves to create their own newspaper. Each student should be encouraged to write a couple of articles in different styles. I have had students who have created their own puzzles, advertisments, agony aunts, etc. Students edit/proofread each others work, and bring their paper together.

I have suggested 90 minutes for this activity, but I rarely interrupt the students as they become invested in their newspaper. I will make a copy of the paper for each student.