The Black Cat and The Tell Tale Heart: Newspaper Report

You are a reporter whose editor has asked you to write one story that details two disturbing
events that just occurred in the same neighbourhood at the same time. That is, as a reporter, you
will piece together the climatic events as described in Poes stories The Black Cat and The
Tell Tale Heart.
You will also need to supply the photos, and (budget cuts!) design the front page of your paper.
This story you are reporting on is so significant, it will take up most or all of your newspapers
entire front page.
Include:
Name of newspaper and other relevant information that conventionally appears on the
front page (e.g. date, weather, sports scores, perhaps a small advertisement: be creative!)
Title and subtitle of your one 300-400 word story
Direct quotations from all interested parties (such as -- but not limited to -- the alleged
murderer, the neighbours, the police, and possible witnesses)
Two photos with captions (use no photos already associated with Poe or his stories)
Adherence to the news reporting pyramid: remember to use many small paragraphs
Objective third person reporting
Thorough editing of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

Due: ________________________

Media Communicati Presentation

on

Media Knowledge/U Conventions

nderstanding

The Black Cat and Tell Tale Heart: Newspaper Report

Level 1
Newspaper format
adheres to inverted
pyramid as explored
in class including
heading,
subheading,
quotations from
experts, witnesses,
and stakeholders;
report is in short
paragraphs.

Level 2
Newspaper format
adheres somewhat
to inverted pyramid
as explored in class
including heading,
subheading,
quotations from
experts, witnesses,
and stakeholders;
report is in short
paragraphs.

Level 3
Newspaper format
adheres
considerably to
inverted pyramid as
explored in class
including heading,
subheading,
quotations from
experts, witnesses,
and stakeholders;
report is in short
paragraphs.

Level 4
Newspaper format
adheres thoroughly
to inverted pyramid
as explored in class
including heading,
subheading,
quotations from
experts, witnesses,
and stakeholders;
report is in short
paragraphs.

Reporter presents
one page that looks
little like a front
page of a
newspaper.
Captioned or
colourful photos
missing.

Reporter presents
one page that looks
like a front page of a
newspaper. Includes
two captioned,
colourful photos.

Reporter presents
one page that looks
mostly like a front
page of a
newspaper. Includes
two well-captioned,
colourful photos and
other aspects
outlined in class.

Reporter presents
one page that looks
like a front page of a
newspaper. Includes
two creatively
captioned, colourful
photos and other
aspects outlined in
class.

News report bears

little or no relevance
to texts.

News report bears

relevance to texts.

News report bears

creative relevance to
texts.

News report bears

thorough and
exceedingly creative
relevance to texts.

Limited or no
evidence of revision
in grammar,
spelling,
punctuation, and
capitalization. Style
is developing in its
professionalism and
journalism.

Some evidence of
revision in grammar,
spelling,
punctuation, and
capitalization. Style
is somewhat
professional and
somewhat as a
journalist would
write.

Considerable
evidence of revision
in grammar,
spelling,
punctuation, and
capitalization. Style
is professional and
much as a journalist
would write.

Thorough evidence
of revision in
grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and
capitalization. Style
is exceedingly
professional and
very much as a
journalist would
write.

Writing Application Mechanics

Media: ____ / 10

Writing : ___ / 10