News Writer:
You should create a report that accurately describes the battles andevents of the Texas Revolution. Include the “Five W’s” ofnews writing: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Also include theeffects of the battles andevents. Your news story should be typed (1/2 page) or neatlyhand-written(1 page). Remember, your story is a short segment, but must behistoricallyaccurate.
War Correspondent: You should create an interview with the military leaders of theRevolution. You may choose to create 1) a “live” interview withquestions and answers that you and one other student will presentduring the newscast or 2) asummary of an interview with the military leader that you presentduringthe newscast by yourself. Your interview should be 1 to 1 ½pagestyped or 1 1/2 to 3 pages neatly hand-written. Be sure to includeappropriatequotation marks in the dialogue. Don’t forget to ask the questions theleadersmay not want to answer- questions that are critical of them, theirleadership,or their war decisions. Be sure to include great detail in both yourquestionsand answers.
Feature Correspondent: You should create an interview with the civilians (non-militarypeople) of the Revolution. You may choose to create 1) a “live”interview with questions and answers that you and one other studentwill present during the newscast or 2) a feature story that summarizesthe experiences of the civilian(s)you are featuring that you will present in the newscast. Your interviewshould be 1 to 1 ½ pages typed or 1 1/2 to 3 pages neatlyhand-written.Be sure to include appropriate quotation marks in the dialogue.Remember,you are trying to ask questions that will show how the war affects thetypical Texas civilian- men, women, and children. You want to show thehuman side of war – their fear, excitement, suffering etc. How has thiswar changedtheir lives? Are they in favor of the war? Why, why not? Would they doitall again? Let your research lead you to the questions that will helpviewersunderstand these civilians’ thoughts and feelings about the war. Besureto include great detail in both your questions and answers about whattheyhave experienced.
Editorialist: You are essentially writing a persuasive essay to be used ontelevision. Watch Fox News – Bill O’Reilly or 60 Minutes – Andy Rooneyto see examples of news editorialists. You tackle a big question andtry to persuade others that your opinion is the only right and sensibleposition. You will appear “live” on the broadcast presenting youreditorial comments. You should address one of the following questionsin a 1 - 1 1/2 pages typed or 1 1/2 to 3 pages neatly hand-writtenpaper:
- Is this war a fair and just war or a plot by the UnitedStates to take over Texas?
- Are the Texans heroes or are they more like spoiledchildren?
- What can be done to avoid war-Is this war unavoidable?
- Is Sam Houston a hero or a “never do well?”
- Is Sam Houston’s retreat a great strategy or a big mistake?
- How have the Tejanos contributed to the Revolution and whatrole should they play in the fighting?
- Should Colonel Fannin be replaced as a Texas commander?
- What is the significance of the defeat at the Alamo?
- Is the Texas Constitution a good plan for the new nation?Will it work as well in Texas as it has in theUnited States?
- What should be done with Santa Anna now that he hassurrendered?
You may find other ideas in your textbook. Look at the criticalthinking questions in the textbook at the end of each section. Check with your teacher for approval first of any additional ideas.
Graphic Design Artist: You should create the background visuals for the newscast, includinggraphics for each news story and presentation during the newscast. Youwill be responsible for working with each news writer to determine whattype of story they are doing and the type of graphics that might beappropriate.
You will then create a Power Point presentation of the graphics thatwill accompany the newscast.
After meeting with all of the writers to discuss possible images fortheir news story or presentation, you should: - locate visuals on the Internet sites provided in theresource section (no more than 2 visuals for each newsstory and 3 for feature stories and editorials)
- document on your own paper where you located each visualyou choose to use with the complete Internet address and a name for thevisual that you choose (This will be required to give credit on thepower point- see below)
- save graphics to a floppy disk
- create your Power Point Presentation inserting thegraphics
You may also search the Internet for clip art to use. Search = freewestern clip art or free Texas clipart. If you wish to draw some of theimages yourself, you will need to scan them so that you can save themto floppy disk anduse in the Power Point presentation. As you locate and copy images,recordon a Credits Sheet the full Internet address where you obtained thevisual.Your last slide(s) should give credit to these sites. You must followcopyright law. You already have permission to use the Holtgraphics.Remember, let the visuals be the center of attention, not fancy coloredbackgrounds, text, or animation. You are not creating text in the PowerPoint, however, you may choose to include a brief caption under avisual.
Editor:You will work either with the News Writers, the Correspondents, or theEditorialist. You have two main jobs: verify that the information theywriteis historically accurate and improve the quality of their story.
You will do this by working with them, if they request help, in theirresearch. Once they have completed their story, they will provide you atyped copyof their story that indicates exactly where they found theirinformation.Check that information for accuracy, meet with them to request anychangesneeded.
Once they have made the changes that you requested, they will provideyou another type-written story. Now you should edit the piece forgrammatical and spelling errors. Just as important, you should rewriteto make the story more interesting and appealing to a televisionaudience. (This is why you get paid more than them!) Make the changesand then meet with the writerto discuss. You must agree on a final version. Before newscastproduction,you will meet with the other editors and newscast team to decide on thesequence of your stories for the newscast.
Anchor:
During the initial research phase of our project, you should work withat least two news writers to help conduct their research by locatinginformation and sharing it with them. (This will help you understandthe story and do a better job of telling it during the newscast.) Whenthe editors meet to discuss the sequence of the newscast, you shouldmeet with them also. You should not advise, but merely participate asanobserver. (This will helpyou understand the sequence of events.)
Once the editors have given you all of the news stories and anycorrespondent reports that will not be "live", you should meet with theother anchorsand decide who is responsible for telling each during the newscast.
You won't have a computer "teleprompter" during the newscast to tellyou what to say. You should begin making notes of what to say, inoutline form, not the complete text. You should memorize as much aspossible of the stories you will present. You may use notes on 3X5 or4X6 index cards, but you may not simply read the stories. You mustmemorize and use the notes only tohelp you stay on track. You will need to rehearse at home, in front ofamirror, so that your presentation is good.
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