Yellow Journalism Activity

Directions:• Create your own newspaper cover page

using yellow journalism.• The cover story and interview should be

about the sinking of the USS Main. • Follow the rubric to make sure you earn an

A. This will be published in our classroom, so be sure to do your best!

• Each group member has a job on the newspaper staff:– 2 Writers/Journalists– Photographer– Editor

Job Descriptions• 1 Writer/Journalist

– Write a cover story about the sinking of the USS Maine.

• 1 Writer/Journalist– Interview a historical figure who may have

witnessed the event. Be sure to establish a clear viewpoint depending on who that person is. (Ex. Is he/she Cuban, American, in the Navy, etc.)

• Photographer– Draw at least two pictures of the event. These

images must be dramatic, to sway public opinion.

• Editor– Date the newspaper, make the title of the

newspaper, title of the article, title of the interview, check for spelling/grammar mistakes, and help the journalists and photographer in any way you can.

Yellow Journalism RubricExcellent

5

Good

3

Poor

1

Titles Title of the newspaper and stories are creative and are meant to sway public opinion. Newspaper article is dated shortly after the sinking of the USS Main.

Title of the newspaper and stories are creative, but do not sway public opinion one way or the other. Newspaper article is dated shortly after the sinking of the USS Main.

Title of the newspaper and stories are not creative or do not sway public opinion. Newspaper is not dated or has the incorrect date.

Photography Both images are creative, neatly colored, and are meant to sway public opinion or convey emotion.

At least one image is meant to sway public opinion. Photographs are somewhat colored neatly and somewhat convey emotion.

Photographs are not meant to sway public opinion and photographs are not colored neatly.

Interview Interview established who the person being interviewed is (name, age, nationality), how the person feels about the sinking of the USS Main, and sways public opinion.

Interview consists of at least 10 questions.

Interview established who the person being interviewed is (name, age, nationality), how the person feels about the sinking of the USS Main, and sways public opinion.

Interview consists of at least 7 questions.

Interview somewhat established who the person being interviewed is (name, age, nationality), how the person feels about the sinking of the USS Main, and sways public opinion.

Interview consists of less than 7 questions.

Article Cover story includes at least 5 facts about the start of the Spanish-American War/the sinking of the USS Main.

Cover story is biased and is meant to sway public opinion.

Cover story includes at least 3 facts about the start of the Spanish-American War/the sinking of the USS Main.

Cover story is biased and is meant to sway public opinion.

Cover story includes less than 3 facts about the start of the Spanish-American War/the sinking of the USS Main.

Cover story is somewhat biased and meant to sway public opinion.