Welcome!

You have been employed by Brisbane’s new magazine, 'BRIZ' Magazine as a journalist. Congratulations! Your role requires you to each month contribute to the magazine’s already startling success by writing articles of interest to its readers.

 

BRIZ magazine is a general magazine that began only last year and is targeted at both genders approximately 18-35 years of age. However, most people can enjoy the magazine's features and creative flair.

 

As a journalist your job will be writing feature articles each month that are of interest to the Brisbane community. Bear in mind that feature articles differ from news reports. Like the name suggests, and feature article is about a feature or a subject of interest which is not necessary 'news'. Though you will learn more about how to write the best feature article once you get settled in.

 

To start, talk to your group on what you already know about writing feature articles (what one looks like, how they are written). Use the class blog. Look at examples from magizines in class to help your discussion.

 

Once you've done this, click the Task tab to get started on this months issue!

The July issue of BRIZ magazine

In this WebQuest you will be working in your expert groups to analyse feature articles by completing a number of exercises and then you will write your own.

 

So, there will be two stages of this task.

 

Stage 1:

You will read a number of feature articles (as well as news articles) and complete exercies to become familiar with the genre that is a feature article. Begin with step 1 on the process page.

 

Stage 2:

You will use the Feature Article Planning Sheet (found in the feature article page of our blog) to plan and write your own feature article

 

It is important to be aware of how you will be marked for this task. Carefully reading the marking rubric, in the evaluation section, to ensure you are on the right track.

BRIZ magazine has some competition, as there are so many magazines to chose from, each filled with feature articles to appeal to their audience.

The magazine editor (your boss) has given you the chance to decide what role you’d like to take this month. You will need to decide within your group what role you will take: 1. Entertainment reporter 2. Personality profile reporter 3. Life reporter 4. Layout designer & printing editor Once chosen, you will be placed in expert groups, so that, for example all of the entertainment reporters will work together in coming up with the articles.

To complete the task and to ensure the next issue of BRIZ magazine is its best, you will need to follow these important steps:

 

Step 1.

Copy and print out the Feature article common themes chart (in the analysis page of our blog)

Read a selection of online examples of news articles and feature articles (in the resources section)

 

Step 2. 

Complete a feature article analysis by reading the example news articles and feature articles and comparing the two genres. You will need to answer a set of five (5) questions and discuss these with your group members.

 

Step 3.

Follow the directions on the chart to analyse the reoccuring elements of a feature article. Continue to fill in the chart with other articles you find in magazines in class or at home.

 

Step 4.

Complete the three online learning objects in the resource section. Take advantage of these tasks as they will help you get the feel for writing feature articles.

 

Step 5.

Read information on the feature article genre from websites provided in the resource section. Then answer the three (3) questions provided and discuss answers within your group.

 

Step 6.

Read about your expect role in the resource section to help you begin writing your own article. Brainstorm a topic for your feature article.

 

(Note: the layout design & copy editor expect does not complete step  7 & 8 but will work with her team to ensure the planning sheet is completed correctly by all three reporters).

 

Step 7.

Print out the Feature Article Planning Sheet (in the feature article page of our blog) and plan the structure of your feature article. To make your feature article most effective, be sure to include as many themes as possible in your feature from the themes chart.

 

Step 8.

Write your feature article (be sure to include at least one picture) and hand it to your boss (your teacher!) by the deadline for publishing. The class' articles will be copiled into a BRIZ magazine which will go into the school library.

 

 

Click the down arrow on the right hand side to access resources.

The marking rubric below will be used by your teacher to grade your work. Take careful note of how you will be marked while you are completing this WebQuest.

Introduction
This webquest allows students to imerse themselves in the genre of a feature article by viewing online versions of feature articles and completing online learning objects, as well as print resources. From this new found knowledge, students are able to create one of their own.  Students will learn what elements make an effective feature article and how to write one. They will compare and contrast the feature article with news articles, and so learn about the genre in such a way as to ensure it is not mixed up with the news article genre.

 

The context of the students working for BRIZ magazine is a authentic task that will become part of the school library once complete. This is used as a way of engaging them in the task, as they are asked to take on mock adult roles (such as a journalist) which are a part of the real world.

 

Intented use

This webquest is intended for high school students, particularly year 8 or 9 students within the subject of English. The inquiy approach of the webquest allows students to use skills of comprehension, comparison, analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation.

 

In line with the english curriculum, this WebQuest involves students in reading and viewing, writing and creating, appreciating texts and critical analysis of those texts.

 

Once the students have completed their task, combine the articles into one class magazine and put it into the library to show their work to the school.

 

Productive ideas

Have the students use the WebQuest in class and at home where appropriate. Allow students to access the genre examples through this WebQuest and answer the questions on their own. This increased responsibility will ensure your productivity.

The blog is to be used for students to collaborate with others in their expert group and magazine group. Students should be encourged to share ideas, assist each other in completing tasks and work collaborative complete the final project. Continue to post relevant sites and resources on the blog to encourage discussion.

The following sites were used for links to information sites for the students:

 

Swirk interactive schooling (2008) Feature Article (Online) Retrieved from http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-c_s-54_u-250_t-645_c-2408/nsw/english-skills/skills-by-text-form/required-skills-and-knowledge-specific-text-forms/feature-article On 21 October 2008

 

Krieger (2008) How to write a good feature article (Online) Retrieved from http://oxleylearning.org/year10english/2008/03/18/how-to-write-a-good-feature-article/ on 25 October 2008

 

Econnect communication (2008) Top tips for writing feature articles (Online) Retrieved from http://www.econnect.com.au/pdf/quicktips/writing_features.pdf on 21 October 2008

 

Wikipedia (2008) Feature Stories (Online) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_story

 

Learning objects were retrieved from The learning federation (Online) http://econtent.thelearningfederation.edu.au

 

Use the following news (green) and magazine (purple) pages to become more familiar with the genres and help you answer the questions.

First, read the following feature articles and take note of their common themes. Fill out the Feature Article Common Themes Chart as directed.

 

Feature Article 1: 'Bustling Blooming Brisbane'

Feature Article 2: 'Belly roll'

Feature Article 3: The wait is over!

Feature Article 4: So, you think you want a perm?

 

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Then, read the following newspaper articles while taking note of their similiar and different characteristics to the feature article (e.g. language, structure). 

(Please note that the printed forms of these articles are in columns)

News Article 1: Toliet stench cleans out London Airport

News Article 2: Global stock prices fall after panic selling

 

 

Finally, compare the two genres by answering the questions below in a word document titled 'Feature Article Analysis':

 

Q1. In what ways are news articles and feature articles similar?

 

Q2. In what ways are the two genres different? List some differences between a news article and a feature article (consider language, layout, tense, formal/informal, if the author's opinion is included).

 

Q3. In particular, consider the purpose of the two different genres. What is the purpose of a news article? A feature article? Which article goes into more depth?

 

Q4. Consider who reads each article and why. With this in mind why are news articles written the way they are?

 

Q5. Why are feature articles written in the way you have seen? (Again, consider the readers and the purpose of feature articles).

 

 

Discuss your answers with your group and take note of what you might have missed. If there are differences in opinion let your teacher know and we will discuss them in class.

 

Q1: What types of words do journalists use to make articles describe the topic? What do these words do to the article? Q2: In what ways can you make your point of view obvious in an article? (Clue: think about what you would include and/or exclude).

Complete the following three exercises online. To access an exercise:

1. Jot down the password "WCFISJ " (as you will be navigated away from the WebQuest)

2. Click on the appropriate bolded exercise below. 

2. Once navigated to the website click "Student PIN" in the top right corner.

3. Enter the password, "WCFISJ " (Note: This password is to be used for our English class only)

 

Exercise 1: Letters to the editor: Community agrees

An exercise that helps you create a strong point of view in your writing.

 

Exercise 2: Point of View: Editorial

This excerise looks at the sturcture of a newspaper report and the types of words it uses to show meaning.

Please note: an editorial is a form of a feature article

 

(Note: Exercise 3 & 4 are particularly useful for personality profile editors)

 

Exercise 3: Garage Beat: Profile

An exercise to help you with formal writing

 

Exercise 4: Garage Beat: Media release

 

Answer the questions below relating to the learning objects. Discuss with your group what you learnt from the learning objects

 

A photographer's humorous take on the lengths journalists go to for a good article. Is that you?

The way you write a feature article is up to your imagination but bear in mind there are some important elements every feature article needs. Read the following websites which give excellent tips on how to write a good quality feature article. Once you have read these pages, answer the questions below in the same word document you completed your analysis in.

 

About the feature article genre

http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-c_s-54_u-250_t-645_c-2408/nsw/english-skills/skills-by-text-form/required-skills-and-knowledge-specific-text-forms/feature-article

 

Top tips for writing feature articles

http://www.econnect.com.au/pdf/quicktips/writing_features.pdf

 

Wikipedia - definition of 'feature stories'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_story

 

Questions:

Q1. What are some elements that make a feature article effective?

Q2. Why are most feature articles written in present tense and not past tense?

Q3. In what ways can you reveal your opinion in your feature aside from actually stating it?

 

Discuss your answers with your group members in the class blog.

 

In your group of four, the roles are: 1. Personality profile reporter – your job each month is to write a feature on a person in Brisbane or any Australian that Brisbane readers would be interested in reading about. You will need to begin by interviewing and researching this person. 2. Entertainment reporter – your job each month is to report on the entertainment world of Brisbane. This may include a feature on past, current or upcoming events, weather it be music, sporting, theatre, attraction or any other event of interest. 3. Life reporter – your role is to write a feature on any aspect of life. For example, a life reporter may write about relationships, careers, health or spirituality. Again, you can write about anything in life that would be of interest to reader. 4. Layout designer & copy editor – you are in charge of the layout design, including a table of contents and editing of the articles. You need to be creative and organised to ensure the magazine is of highest quality. Note: although you will not be writing a feature article yourself, as layout designer and copy editor you have an important role and making sure your group's articles are relevant to the reporter's topic, use at least five features of a feature article from the common themes chart and are designed well to appeal to your readers. Be sure to include a table of contents for the group's three articles. Once you've agreed to your roles, you need to join up with experts of the same field. Use the internet, interview people or create quotes yourself to give you something to write about. To prove what a great writer you are, you and your team of experts will really need to impress the magazine editor and chief executives. To do this, you need to appeal to your readers! So, be creative. In fact, the editor has said that there will be bonuses for those writers who produce great work and/or increase magazine sales significantly!