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Great Gatsby Historical Cultural Magazine Project
Great Gatsby Historical Cultural Magazine Project
Great Gatsby Historical Cultural Magazine Project
Project
Overview
Project Description:
In groups you will work as a team of writers and editors to publish a magazine which highlights
various aspects of the 1920s in America and synthesizes elements from Fitzgerald's The Great
Gatsby to historical and cultural events from the Jazz Age. Please focus on the years 1918-1928.
Students will individually write two articles (one letter to the editor, another feature article) for
the class magazine. Articles may be presented as editorials, reviews, interviews, society pages,
obituaries, features, etc.
Individual Responsibilities:
Each group member is responsible for a letter to the editor, taking a stance on their own view of
the American Dream. This should be in letter format. 300 words.
Each member is responsible for creating a feature article to add to the magazine. Each feature
should be different in style and subject, but all should be based on researched events and cultural
phenomena of the 1920s in America. This can include musical artists, film, art, writing, labor
movements, legislation, politics, sports, etc. For each topic, make sure to report on the event and
its impact on the American culture in the 1920s. All information must be parenthetically cited
within the article. Your magazine will contain a Works Cited page.
Group Responsibilities:
Each group is responsible for the design and creation of a magazine. You will also need to
ensure that the magazine is thoughtfully put together and has variety in its articles. Look at
example magazines to get ideas for types of articles, layouts, and design options.
Grading:
As a group, you will receive an overall grade for the quality of your final magazine. You will be
graded on the aesthetics of the layout, the choice and variety of feature articles, and the images
selected or created for the magazine. [See Group Rubric for specifics]
Individually, you will receive grades for your Letter to the Editor and Feature Article. Your
feature article will be assess for properly documented historical facts as well as examples from
The Great Gatsby.
Each member needs to complete a polished letter to the editor that responds to the texts we’ve
read and outlines their own ideas about the American Dream, happiness, success, and/or wealth.
Reference at least one text we’ve read as evidence to support your ideas. Letters should be
written in a persuasive style and between 250-350 words.
Each group member is responsible for a feature article that is based on a researched event or
cultural phenomenon of the 1920s in America. Within your magazine group, brainstorm ideas
about topics and articles and begin to figure out who will be writing about what topic. Your
group’s magazine should show variety in topics and types of articles.
Types of Articles:
1) Literature Review
2) Music/Concert/Art Exhibition Review
3) Sports Retrospective
4) Political History of a politician, activist, or law.
5) Other, pending teacher approval.
Unlike the letter to the editor which is written persuasively, feature articles should be expository
in style, meaning you are simply stating the facts. Write in an objective manner. Cite all
sources in parentheses after each quote or paraphrase.
*You may include “interviews” with characters from Gatsby to enhance your article. For
instance, you may ask Tom Buchanan about his opinions regarding immigration laws, if you
were writing on immigration issues. Be true to the character when creating his/her responses.
Requirements: Each article should have at least 2 sources: 2 cited historical sources. Articles
should be at least 300 words. Put complete MLA citations on the last page of the magazine as a
Works Cited.
In designing the magazine, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the styles of the 1920s. You
may use Google image and search key words like ads, 1920s, Jazz Age, Fashion, etc. The cover
and advertisements should reflect the 1920’s style and also allude to The Great Gatsby in some
way.
As a group, decide who will be responsible for certain aspects of the magazine design. The
requirements include: Cover page, table of contents, 3 Advertisements, overall layout.
The layout should resemble that of a published magazine which means that articles should be
broken up with advertisements. Your group may arrange articles in columns or full-page
spreads.
Group Responsibilities
Member Name Feature Article(Type/Topic) Design Role
Project Rubric- Group Grade
Criteria
10
Each
Layout design
Used Microsoft Publisher (or Word)
Advertisements and Cover page show effort and thought
Feature Articles
Vary in type and topic
Shows understanding of the novel and characters
Shows insights into the historical/cultural phenomena of the
1920s in America
Conventions
Articles have been proofread for grammatical errors
Parenthetical citations are correct and complete
Works Cited page is correct and complete
Creativity/Effort
Shows thoughtful design and layout
Headlines and Articles show creativity and care
Comments:
Total
(40)
Project Rubric- Individual Grade
Criteria
Conventions (5 points)
Articles have been proofread for grammatical errors
Parenthetical citations are correct and complete
Works Cited page is correct and complete
Creativity/Effort (5 points)
Shows thoughtful design and layout
Headlines and Articles show creativity and care
Comments:
Total
(40)
This is part of a larger project (Historical Magazine Project) that we will be working on during
the last few weeks of the school year.
Questions to consider:
What constitutes success and/or happiness?
What is the American Dream?
Does your vision of the American Dream differ from what society has created?
Requirements: 250-350 words. Write in letter format. Include date and “Dear Editor.” Mention
the author and text we’ve read. Explain what idea(s) to which you are responding. You may use
direct quotations or paraphrasing to express the author’s ideas.