Grade 8 Due Jan. 22nd

Grade 8 Edo Japan Newspaper

Look at the sample newspaper(s). You have been asked to create a front page for a local Japanese paper that is owned by the shogun family. Remember the shogun believes isolation is necessary for his country and will demand that the articles promote his views and show a negative bias toward an opened door society. As well, conformity (behaving as a group and not as an individual) is also important in the Japanese Edo society.

Things you must have in your paper:
*Entire page must be covered (remember it is expensive to go to the press),
*must follow newspaper format (columns, pictures, editorials, date, title, etc),
must be checked for grammar and spelling, * must reflect the Edo worldview
* MUST BE CREATIVE AND NEAT
* Must contain minimum of 3 developed articles and additional creative items.
* articles must follow a proper article format (lead, 5 W’s, and 3 details)
*Content must be accurate (fun and entertaining bits are allowed more freedom ( ex. classifieds))

Article choices include: (must have 3 from this selection)
Political Cartoon promoting conformity
Article based on the value of the group (why uniforms are necessary)
Article promoting social hierarchy and societal control: Peasant Man caught trying to be a Samurai; Sentenced to Death
How did the people react after Isolation? Interview people who promote the positives of a closed society?
An article on the effects of isolation on Japan economically, politically, and socially
Personal research from internet/ books which will provide ideas for interesting article.
Timeline
Shogun’s editorial: Why is it important to stay a closed society?
Perspectives on Japan
Something of your choice from notes and chapter 5. (Must be pre-approved)

Other things to choose from to make your paper MORE interesting:
* Creative TITLE
Classifieds: ex: Jobs promoting lifetime commitment
Confucious sayings
Advertising: Rice for sale, looking for samurais
Weather: ex. Rain delays the building of the railway again
Top Ten __?___: ex: songs, movies, books: sample: The Last Samurai, How to Close a Country’s Doors in 10 days, It’s the end of trade as we Know it, etc.
Important People: Obituary format or your choice.
Comic Strip: (putting down the non-people/outcasts)
Cooking 101: Great rice recipes
Fashion police: 5 tips to stay in style within your social class
Geography/climate/weather highlight: Local disasters
Pictures
The arts
Other