Activity
Quotation Marks by Newspapers in Education Program
Subject
English Language Arts (2005), English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)
Grade Levels
Intermediate, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Source
Printed with permission from the New York Newspaper Publishers Association, Newspapers Make the "Write Connection”, 2002.
Materials Needed
Newspaper, scissors, glue sticks, pen/pencil and worksheet.
Extension
Think of some words that describe their favorite comic character. How does the character act? What does the character look like?
Students can then write a paragraph using these words to describe their character.
Then can change their writing by adding new ideas to the character description. Instruct them to write down two description words on the left and comparison statements in the right. For example, if they said their character was ‘strong,’ the comparison statement could be ‘stronger than a football player.’
Next, students should write a paragraph using the comparison statements.
Finally, check the paper for any errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Have them give it to an editing partner to proofread.
Create a bulletin board “Who’s Who in the Comic Strips” and have students put their comic strip and final paragraph on the board.
Procedure
Students will select one comic strip from the newspaper and cut and paste it onto the worksheet. Based on what the characters have said in the comic strip, students will write the conversation in dialogue form, using quotation marks where applicable.
Description
The newspaper is an inexpensive, motivational and proven instructional tool. It is a natural part of the writing curriculum. In this activity, students will use the comics to write conversational dialogue.
Additional Note
For more information regarding the Newspapers in Education program at The Buffalo News, please contact: Cindy Sterner, Promotions Director, The Buffalo News in Education, PO Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240, (716) 849-3477, csterner@buffnews.com
