Black History Month Project

Directions: Choose a task to complete.

News Segment/Story: Congratulations! YOU ARE NOW NEWS ANCHORS! Work together
with your group to complete a script for a news segment. Each group will be assigned an African
American Poet; It is your responsibility to educate your peers on the historical background,
poets reputation, and complete an analysis of a poem by the assigned poet. Be as creative as you
like.
Lifetime Achievement Award Speech: Your assigned poet is being awarded a Lifetime
Achievement Award. Write an introduction speech describing the poets reputation, life, and
background. One member of the group will act as the famous poet, accepting the award and
reciting a poem. The group member acting as the poet will also provide the meaning/ inspiration
behind the poem.
Step 1: Assign Roles
Group Member 1: Research the poets reputation and life
Group Member 2: Research the background of the poet
Group Member 3: Choose a poem and analyze the meaning and purpose of the
poem
Step 2: Bring it together/Outlining
Once you have the information you need, start writing!
o Remember to include: Who, What, Where, When, and How
o Determine the order you will present the information.
o Use simple but compelling words- Get to the point!!
o Do not quote. If the headline is about what the President said, never use
phrases such as "...and I quote". Remember that you need to give a concise
message, or it could create confusion for the viewers.
o Remember to introduce the presenters/anchors.
Step 3: Putting it together
Your group is relying on you to become masters on your assigned section. Know
your stuff!
Be prepare for a 4 to 5-minute presentation!
Step 4: Practice/ Review lines
Helpful Links:
1. http://www.biography.com/
2. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/
3. https://www.poets.org

Organization of a News Story

Black History Month Project

Mr. P
Spring 2016

A story should have a smooth flow and development. There are several styles to writing a news
script, but the basic organization is as follows:
1. Introduction.
This is a brief summary of the story and the mention of the thesis statement or lead.
2. Establish the scene.
Write the basic details that answer the questions to the five W's and one H. What is the story all
about? Who are the people involved? When did it happen? What date or what time? Where is the
setting? Is it local or international issue?
3. Recognize the issue.
This is the part where you elaborate on the issue or the event. Why did it happen? What is the
issue or the event for? What are the factors that made the issue arise? And how did it happen?
4. Addressing the issue.
This includes the action items that can be done. A story should present possible solutions to the
problem. The script must tell that the story is well-researched and substantial enough.
Lifetime Achievement Speech
Your speech should:
1. Give the audience a sense of the speaker's topic. Familiarize the audience with the
speaker's personality and accomplishments, especially those that are relevant to the topic.
2. Create a sense of anticipation for both the speaker and the topic.
3. General principles: Keep it short. Speak for one to three minutes, depending on how well
your audience already knows the speaker. Resist the temptation to list all of the speaker's
accomplishments.
4. Finesse the obvious. If important biographical details are already familiar to most of the
audience, preface them with "As we all know ... " or some similar expression.
5. Be relentlessly positive. Never miss a chance to sincerely compliment the speaker. Make
sure your introduction contains nothing that may be derogatory, condescending or
uncomplimentary. Humorous anecdotes are fine as long as they reflect positively on the
speaker.
The poet receiving the awards should:
1. Thank the presenter
2. Recite a poem
3. Provide inspiration/meaning behind the poem presented
4. Thank people who served as role models/inspiration