REPORTING MY WORLD
IT’S JOURNALISTS’ TIME. IT’S MY TIME.
COSMOPOLITAN
Dear student,
It is a pleasure for us to communicate that you have been selected to participate in a
project whose main aim is to create a magazine. We are looking for an amazing magazine,
different from the traditional ones. That is, although the sections of both will be quite similar,
you are expected to be creative and improve the contents.
The magazine we are looking for consists of seven different sections, which are
horoscopes, homemade recipes, jokes, elaboration of a recycled handicraft, an interesting
interview, love advices and the description of an adventurous trip. You will work in groups
and each group will be in charge of developing a different section.
Do not worry, your work will not be useless, since once you have elaborated this
incredible project, your effort will be awarded. You will have the opportunity to publish it via
internet, so that it will be an online magazine. The first one done in this high school ever. But
remember: this will only be possible if your work turns out to be successful, and as good as a
real magazine would be. For that you need to be serious and responsible with your tasks.
P.S.: We almost forget to tell you one of the most important points of this project. Not
only you will be awarded with the online publishing, but also the best group, that is, the most
creative, original, hard worker, responsible, etc., will have the chance to visit our editorial
department, and help the professional editors.
Good luck future reporters!
GROUPING INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
Look under your desks.
- Step 2:
The teacher will say a color, if it is the one you have you will have to raise your
hand and meet the mates that have the same as yours.
- Step 3:
Choose the spokesperson in your group and let it know to the teacher. She will ask
him to come in front of the class and collect a paper
from a box. This paper will be the section of the
magazine you will develop.
STRUCTURING THE PROJECT
- Step 4:
Once you all have your own section assigned, you will
have to create you personal editorial office. This means
that you have to create a poster containing the name of
your section. The more catchy the better. Each poster
will be representative of each group and its color. You
have to imagine the computer room as a real editorial
department, and apart from the computers, hanging your
posters will contribute to this idea and will help to
identify each group.
- Step 5:
Look for magazines at home. If you can’t find any in English, bring in those you
have available. We will analyze the different sections and structure they consist of
all together.
- Step 6:
Look for online magazines in class and analyze them too. Use the following links:
http://www.hellomagazine.com/
http://www.intouchweekly.com/
http://www.time.com/time/magazine
http://www.magazines.com/clean-eating/14422-MA,default,pd.html
Once you have compared both types of magazines, make a comparison of the
advantages and disadvantages these two types have. For that you can use an online
resource called popplet. http://popplet.com/
- Step 7:
Once you have created your own conceptual map you will make an oral
presentation for the rest of the class using the digital whiteboard. For that the
teacher will brainstorm the main differences presented by the students on the
board.
WORKING WITH YOUR OWN SECTION
At this point of the project, you must focus on your section and organize your group
work. Instructions to develop your section are given in this handout. Look for them in the index
and forget about the rest.
HOROSCOPES
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other magazines online, as
well as their main topics, the kind of language and
whatever catches your attention.
http://www.people.co.uk/magazine/
http://www.seventeen.com/
http://www.glamour.com/
- Step 2:
Design the zodiac signs as well as the dates according to each one. If any
member of the group draws well he or she can draw the symbols.
Remember the more creative you are, the best.
- Step 3:
Look for some famous people regarding their zodiac sign and include a
picture of them in each one.
- Step 4:
Think about the kind of language used, the structure, etc. and start
describing each sign. You can ask your mates for their zodiac sign if that
helps you. For that, be careful with the information you include in each one,
as you need to be an informative person.
- Step 5:
At the end of each sign you must include two days of the month, one
referring to the lucky day and the other one to the worst day.
- Step 6:
For making your section creative, try to include pictures, different colors
and an attractive kind of letter, but do not be excessive.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
HOMEMADE RECIPES
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other magazines online, as
well as their main topics, the kind of language and
whatever catches your attention.
http://www.hellomagazine.com/
http://www.cookinglight.com/magazine/
http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/The-
Magazine/Current-Issue.aspx
- Step 2:
Ask your parents, friends or relatives for any interesting recipe that might
help you. Put them in common in the group.
Remember they must be as healthy as possible and
typical of that season of the year.
- Step 3:
Organize the recipes according to the order in which they would appear in a
menu: first dish, second dish, dessert, etc. Do not
classify chocolate cake as a first dish, for instance.
- Step 4:
Once you are at home, each of you will have to make
the recipe on its own or with the help of your parents or friends. You must
take photos of each step and take notes of those anecdotes o interesting
things you have experienced while cooking.
- Step 5:
Bring the whole material to class, explain the experience to your mates and
organize it with your group as following mentioned:
Give a name to the recipe.
Put the photos in the correct order.
Add the instructions and anecdotes below each of them.
- Step 6:
You can bring the dish once it is prepared to share it with the class, this may
give you extra marks ;)
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
JOKES
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other magazines online, as
well as their main topics, the kind of language and
whatever catches your attention.
http://www.maxim.com/funny
http://www.esquire.com/women/really-funny-jokes
- Step 2:
You will divide yourselves in 2 groups (up to you), since this section will
consist of two parts. One group will work with the first and the other with
the second:
Humor around the world:
1- Look for jokes from the different continents. Let’s see if there is
a cultural difference in humor.
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2012-
04/19/100-best-funny-jokes-in-the-world
2- Select the best ones and type them for the
magazine by making clear the place/culture
each joke comes from.
3- Add pictures (flags, symbols, etc. of the
country) as well as a brief description of how
humor/ jokes are considered in that country or culture.
Looking for the best joke in our school:
1- Interview different people (teachers, students, workers, etc.)
from the high-school and ask them to tell a joke. Remember! It is
something voluntary, so they may refuse to do so. Do not force
them.
2- Record them (or write the joke) and take them a picture.
3- Type the joke and add the correspondent photo.
- Step 3:
Revise your part with the other group, and design together the whole
section.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
ELABORATION OF A RECYCLED HANDICRAFT
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other magazines online, as
well as their main topics, the kind of language and whatever catches your
attention.
http://www.papercraftsmag.com/index.html
http://www.paintworksmag.com/
http://www.finewoodworking.com/pages/
- Step 2:
Think about or look for several easy handicrafts made with recycled materials, or
make up anyone.
- Step 3:
Make the handicraft at home and take photos of every step while you do it. Next
day, bring in the photos and include them on your section. Add all the instructions
to make it in each photo. The recycled materials must be easily available.
- Step 4:
Write down the advantages and disadvantages of using recycled materials.
- Step 5:
Bring in your handicraft to show it to the rest of your mates.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
INTERESTING INTERVIEWS
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other
magazines online, as well as their main topics, the
kind of language and whatever catches your
attention.
http://www.nationalreview.com
http://nymag.com
http://www.phillymag.com/articles
- Step 2:
Choose the person you are going to interview. It might be someone
interesting you know from outside the high-school, a mate who has a
special quality, etc.
You have to make clear the reasons you have chosen that person for. He or
she must have something special to tell or show to the rest so that the
interview becomes catchy. Remember to ask that person for permission.
- Step 3:
When interviewing somebody many roles must be put in practice. Divide
these among you: photographer, typist, interviewer, etc.
- Step 4:
Prepare the questions and put them in common with your group mates.
Make a brainstorming activity to clarify your ideas.
Conditions:
Questions must follow and order.
Preferably no yes/no questions, as the answers can
limit the results.
Prepare more than those you will need, just in
case. (20/30 questions).
Ask about relevant things and not about issues that might make
your guest feel uncomfortable. Focus on interesting topics.
Once you have organized them, show them to the teacher.
- Step 5:
Now you are supposed to put all that information in practice, date him and
record the answers, take photos, etc.
- Step 6:
Finally, you have to organize all that data collected. The final result should
include some photos (between 2 and 3) and the questions with the answers
(between 10 and 15).
When typing, information must be organized and summarized. Just choose
the most interesting parts. What is in oral style must be changed to written
style, that is, it must be adapted.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
LOVE ADVICES
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in
other magazines online, as well as their main
topics, the kind of language and whatever
catches your attention.
www.twistmagazine.com
http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/
http://www.savvymiss.com/love-advice/love-relationship-advice.html
- Step 2:
Think about the stories you are going to write, the kind of person who is
supposed to need your help, their personality and so on.
Write it down.
- Step 3:
You will have to write two letters as well as two
suggestions. For that, you will divide yourselves in
two groups. One group will elaborate the letters
(stories) and the other will write the answers for
both letters.
- Step 4:
Each letter has to be well structured, with an introduction, a body
(problems the person has) and an ending.
- Step 5:
The problems must be related to love issues and close to reality. The
answers have to be real and as helpful as possible.
- Step 6:
For both letters you must include an image which summarizes the main idea
of them.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
DESCRIPTION OF AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP
- Step 1:
Look for the way of presenting this section in other magazines online, as
well as their main topics, the kind of language
and whatever catches your attention. You will
have to describe two different trips to two
different places. For that, you will divide
yourselves in two groups. One group will
work describing one place and the other will
work on another one.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com
http://www.backpacker.com/
http://www.outsideonline.com/
- Step 2:
The trips will take four days long. Choose two places or types of trips you
recommend the reader to travel to and give reasons for your decision.
- Step 3:
Describe the cities or places you have chosen. Where they are, their
population, monuments or things they are important for. For example, the
weather like, kinds of public transport they have, the languages their
residents speak and so on.
- Step 4:
Once you have decided the type of trip and your destination, and you have
looked for the information sources, show them to your teacher so that she
can give you some advice.
- Step 4:
Conditions:
Establish how much money the reader would spend for the trip.
You must include at least two types of public transport.
You must prepare and describe the trip from the moment the
reader would leave home.
You must explain what kind of luggage you recommend the
reader to wear (heavy or weak) and the personal items. Always by
giving reasons for it. For example: “You will have to take some
swimsuits with you because it will be sunny in Springfield during
those days.”
You must describe those places you will visit and the activities
you will practice.
Make an itinerary by giving details such as prices, timetables,
locations, etc.
You must include a map of each place and several attractive
pictures of locations, monuments, food, etc.
- Step 5:
If you have not been there look for recommendations or give your own one
in case you have been to.
- Step 7:
Once you have finished your section think of an original title for it.
Now you have completed this excellent work, you must be eager to see
your section organized in a nice magazine. Therefore, and as we mentioned
above, we will create an online magazine.
It is time to work as a whole class again and with the help of your
teacher by using: www.issuu.com
This link will enable you to structure your personal data and the other
sections created by your mates so that you can picture your effort and
enjoy it as a whole.
Come on! We are excited for seeing your excellent work as reporters!