Core Skills Analysis
English / Language Arts
Michaela completed a short journalism course and created a newspaper article modeled on the newspaper from Harry Potter. The activity gave Michaela practice shaping information into a recognisable article and considering how a published text is organised for readers. Using a fictional newspaper as a template also let Michaela examine how a text’s style can help create its identity and appeal. Michaela developed experience composing a purposeful piece of writing by adapting an example into an original article.
Media Literacy
Michaela used a newspaper from a fictional story as a model for creating her own article. This encouraged Michaela to notice how a visual or written example can guide choices about a publication’s tone, presentation and audience. By turning the model into a new piece, Michaela practised responding creatively to an existing media text rather than simply reproducing it. The task connected storytelling, journalism and the way newspapers present information.
Tips
Tips Extend Michaela’s journalism learning by inviting Michaela to compare a real newspaper article with the Harry Potter newspaper example, noticing differences in purpose, tone and presentation. Michaela could interview a family member or classmate about a favourite book, hobby or local event, then use the answers as source material for a short article. Try arranging the finished article with a headline, image and caption, and discuss how each element guides a reader. Finally, create a small class or family newspaper with several contributors and reflect on how different article styles serve different readers.
Book Recommendations
- The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer: A widely read fantasy novel that offers a story-world connection to the fictional newspaper used as Michaela’s model.
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster: A classic imaginative novel that can prompt discussion about how writers build distinctive fictional worlds and communicate ideas.
Learning Standards
- English – AC9E7LA03: Creating an article from a newspaper model connects to understanding how text structures and language features vary according to purpose.
- English – AC9E7LY06: Michaela planned and created a written text using a model to convey ideas.
- English – AC9E7LY03: Examining and adapting a newspaper example connects to considering how language features shape meaning for an audience.
- English – AC9E7LA07: The newspaper template provides an opportunity to consider how visual features in a text contribute to perspective and presentation.
Try This Next
- Headline workshop: write three headline options for Michaela’s article and choose the clearest one.
- Article planner: organise the topic, key information, opening and supporting details.
- Newspaper design task: add a suitable image and caption, then explain how they support the article.
- Reader response quiz: identify the article’s purpose, intended audience and one feature borrowed from the model.