Name ______Date ______Pd ______

The Westing Game – Newspaper Book Report

  • Name Your Newspaper (8 pts) – Create a masthead for your newspaper, indicating the title of the publication (this should be approx. 1 to 1.5 inches in height), the date of publication (due date), the price (make this up), etc. Look at some actual newspaper mastheads to get ideas and be creative. For example:
  • ‘The Big Story’ – Summarize the main plot of the book. Summary must be 3 paragraphs in length (Beginning main events, Middle main events, Concluding main events/after effects). Create a catchy headline for this summary article. This must be typed in size 12 font, Calibri or Times New Roman. (25 pts)
  • ‘Most Wanted’ – Develop a character profile for ONE character who is prominently featured in the novel. Include direct and indirect (inferred) characterization details. This should be 2 paragraphs in length (Background of character, important roles throughout the novel). Create a catchy headline for this character profile. Also include a 3 x 5-inch “photo” (illustration) of the chosen character. This must be typed in size 12 font, Calibri or Times New Roman. (20 pts)
  • ‘Review’ – Write a book review for the novel. This should be 1 full paragraph in length. Provide an overview of the plot (without spoilers this time!), the positive aspects of the book, and the drawbacks of it. (15 pts)
  • ‘Advice Column’ – Write a letter from a main character seeking advice with a problem he/she has in the book. The letter should be 1 paragraph in length. It should give background on the problem and clearly state the dilemma. Then, write a response from the newspaper, giving the character advice that reflects how the problem is really resolved in the novel. It should demonstrate understanding of the problem and how it is actually resolved in the novel. This response should be 1 paragraph in length. This must be typed in size 12 font, Calibri or Times New Roman. (15 pts)
  • ‘Advertisement’ – Create an advertisement for a product or business that is featured in the book. The ad should feature an illustration (full color!), a catchy slogan (McDonald’s: I’m Lovin’ It; Wal Mart: Save Money. Live Better.) , product/business description (Really try to sell it! Share the positive features!). (15 pts)
  • Two Additional Newspaper Features of your choice. You will choose 2 (two) of the following to develop and add to your newspaper: (12 pts each x 24 = pts)
  • ‘Comic Strip’ – Design a comic strip that illustrates a memorable scene from the book. It must be 3 panels in length. You must use captions or speech bubbles to indicate what is going on in each of the panels of the scene.
  • ‘Sports’ – Write a report about a sporting event that could have taken place in the novel. You must include a “photo” (illustration) of the event that you are reporting on.
  • ‘Classified Ad’ – Write an advertisement for “help wanted” at a business in the novel, or to sell an item that is featured in the novel. (Think: What would a character in this book want to sell?) It should be 1 paragraph in length.
  • ‘Crossword Puzzle’ – Choose 15 strong vocabulary words from the novel and create a crossword puzzle using either a piece of graph paper or puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com . You must provide a definition clue for each word and follow the directions on the website for creating the crossword and printing it.