English 11--The Crucible

News Writing Assignment

A lead paragraph opens a news article and usually gives the most important information which the rest of the article will develop. A good reporter, therefore, attempts in a lead paragraph to catch the reader's attention by telling who did what, when, where, why, and how. The paragraphs preceding will expand on those initial facts.

There was no newspaper in Salem in 1692, but imagine there was, and you are its star reporter. Your editor hands you the list of headlines below and assigns you to select one which best catches the events of that spring and to develop it into a complete article. Keep in mind the basic information of a news article as described above. Write the paragraph(s) you would turn in. Remember to use the tone and point of view of an objective reporter.

LOCAL GIRL'S ILLNESS REMAINS A MYSTERY

CLERGYMAN WORRIES ABOUT HIS POSITION

LOCAL WOMAN SEEKS CAUSE OF INFANT DEATHS

VISITOR TO PROBE WITCHCRAFT CHARGES

LOCAL GIRL THOUGHT TO BE TRUSTWORTHY

WOMAN NOT IMPRESSED BY THREAT OF WITCHCRAFT

CITIZEN AT ODDS WITH CLERIC

SERVANT TELLS ALL--IMPLICATES OTHERS