Writing Feature Articles - Step 1 - Lesson 1 | Page 13

Writing Feature Articles - Lesson .
Sample Chart for Lesson 1.2 (Handout 1.2a)
Role

What do I think about this
role?

Questions

Possible topics

One of 5 children

You can’t always have
everything you want
because there are so many
kids. It’s hard to get enough
attention. I get embarrassed
by my family.

Is being in a big family fun?
Are middle children worse
off than their siblings? How
big are families today?

Big families
Sibling rivalry

Recycler

I get confused by all the
different numbers on the
bottom of the containers.
I never know what I can
recycle and what I can’t.

Why do they have
numbers?
What bene?ts does
recycling really have?
What happens when people
make mistakes?

Reasons why people
do and don’t recycle
People’s confusion
about the numbers

Dog walker

I’m so frustrated when I
can’t take my dog into the
drug store. Why can’t I bring
her into a store?

Who makes the rules about
where dogs can and cannot
go?

People who sneak
their dogs into stores
Stores and other
places that allow
dogs

Movie lover

I like being a movie critic for
my friends.

What makes some movies
worth seeing? Why do
women like different movies
than men like?

Movies for women
(Is there such a thing
as a “chick ?ick?”)

Preparing for Writer’s Work Time
Active engagement. Turn and talk brie?y to a partner about one role you play and what you think about
that role. Ask for one or two responses to be sure that the class understands the task at hand before
having students work independently.
Distribute Brainstorm Roles and Expertise – Intermediate (Handout 1.2a). Give the following directions:
?? Brainstorm seven to ten roles you ?ll or have ?lled in and out of school.
?? For each role, consider the unique experience and expertise you have.
?? Using Brainstorm Roles and Expertise – Intermediate (Handout 1.2a) or your notebook, complete
a chart that includes what you think about each role, questions people might have, and possible
topics.
?? Share your roles and possible feature article topics with a partner for two or three minutes.
?? Circle the three or four ideas that you are most interested in pursuing further.
?? Write a few sentences in your notebook about speci?c experiences you have had with each of the
three to four ideas you selected.

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