Doing the Decades:
Group Investigations in Twentieth Century U. S. History

Mass Circulation Magazine or Newspaper Requirements

Content:

1. Answer all investigative questions about group themes in the final presentation.

2. Use a minimum of 10 secondary and 15 primary sources in each individual's research. The 15 primary sources must be represented in the final presentation, along with documentation of a sampling of the secondary sources.

3. Use a minimum of 10 American Memory primary sources in the final presentation.

4. Hand in a complete works cited list for each individual's section of the presentation on the day of the final presentation.

5. Sources gathered from electronic media (Internet, CD-ROMs, online databases, computer software, videotape, audiotape).  For Internet sources (photos, maps, audio recordings, documents, movies), use Citing Electronic Sources, Learning Page, Library of Congress.

6. Content must represent accurate information from the time period of your investigation.

7. The magazine or newspaper should reflect an appeal to a broad audience (mass circulation, not for a narrowly defined elite).  Varied sections should accurately represent the range of the group's themes;  for example, want ads and public notices of the 1910s wouldn't include ads for television repair personnel (no TV in 1912!!).  News stories, editorials, letters to the editor, photos, sports stories, and other items about your themes that answer your investigative questions are necessary and appropriate.

8. All sources that are scanned in to electronic publications (desktop publishing programs, for example) must be correctly cited.  The citation should appear on the page with the source, and be represented in the works cited list.

9. A presentation where your group explains the contents of the final product and responds to questions from the audience who have read advance copies of the contents will be required.

Design:

1. Examine newspapers and magazines of the time to determine various approaches to layout.

2. Consider your audience and be creative by designing an appealing publication that will capture their interest.