1. Creating a 1920's Magazine
ASSIGNMENT SHEET
Your job is to create a magazine covering aspects of culture, politics, arts, music, lifestyles and the like
from the 1920's. You will create this magazine in a group of two, each person working to create a product
that is reflective of the time period. Your magazine will be published in the classroom and should be
reflective of the 1920's as much as possible. In the course of your project, you will mimic a magazine's
content and style, making a 1920's edition that is reflective of that magazine's format.
Magazine Requirements:
1. You will choose a magazine format which you will imitate. After analyzing the current magazine's
format and describing the relevant style and content of the magazine's creators + the typical
reader, you will create a magazine that mimics that format. The magazines you can choose from
are (most of these magazines did not exist in the 1920's, but we are more concerned with their
format):
1. Time 9. Life
2. Newsweek 10. Entertainment Weekly
3. Sports Illustrated 11. People
4. Vogue 12. Forbes
5. McCall's 13. Fortune
6. Vanity Fair 14. Rolling Stone
7. Harper's 15. Vibe
8. Ladies Home Journal 16. Outdoors
2. You will create a magazine with the following components according to the format of one above:
1. Cover Page (Lead story, picture, title of magazine, editors/contributors, & date)
2. Table of Contents (this has to be created last)
3. Four feature or news articles. Articles must be written as if they could be in your
model magazine during the 1920's (e.g. in a 1920's issue of Time). Each group
member is responsible for 2. They can be about any significant event, trend or
development during the 1920's.
4. - Articles should be typed in column format, like a newspaper or magazine
3. Keep margins of 1 inch all around
....4. -The page on which your article is written should be in magazine format; that is, no large expanses of
blank paper. You might wrap the article around a picture or an advertisement.
....5. Your articles must correspond to the date of your magazine and have some perspective of time. For
instance, if your magazine is written in 1927, you cannot write about the stock market crash of 1929, and
any articles about Babe Ruth must either be about the glorious 1927 season or retrospectives about his still
vibrant career.
- BIBLIOGRAPHY: Include a properly formatted bibliography at the end of your article. For each article,
you must use at least two sources of information –

2. Four supplementary pieces to the magazine. Each group member is responsible for two of the
following. You may not have more than two of each type in the magazine (These items should be
original creations – not a print out from a CD-rom or a copy of an advertisement you have seen in your
research. They should combine your historical knowledge with your imagination. Each should be tailored
to your magazine's audience).
A graphic (map, chart, etc. with contextual explanation of at least 50 words)
2 Advertisement (by private organizations or the government) You may copy images but you must
create the text yourself. The ads must suit the audience of the magazine and be a popular product of the
era.
Letter to the Editor - on a current controversial issue
Political Cartoon (must be created, not copied)
Grading:
The total assignment is worth 50 points for each person.
- 15 points for each article (30 points total)
o Graded on:
 Accuracy of your article.
 Style: Does it fit the time period.
 Grammar
- 5 points for each supplementary assignment. (10 points)
- 5 points for getting each assignment in on time.
- 5 points for the cover of your magazine and bibliography.
Due Dates:
Your assignment will need to be completed on Tuesday, October 19th. You will have approximately half of
each class period to work on your magazine over the next week. Each day you will need to turn in one
article or supplementary piece.

3. Grading Standards and Due Dates
General Guidelines – I expect the following:
Content:
1. Accuracy in reporting.
2. Accounts that are rich in detail, factual evidence, and that are interesting to read. The person who reads
your magazine should learn much about the era!
3. Each group member will fulfill his/her responsibility
Style:
1. Imagination and creativity, both in writing and presentation
2. Well-written articles including proper grammar and spelling. Use rich details in a logical order.
3. A neat, professional, aesthetically pleasing magazine that is consistent with the model magazine you
have chosen. If I were from the target audience would I pick it off the shelf in the 1920's?
Point Values:
50 points total for each person
50 points for your news/ feature article: Graded on quality of research, writing and analysis. Must be
appropriate to time period and interesting to read. Article must fit the style of the magazine type chosen
(Time, People etc.)
20 points for each supplementary piece: Quality of artwork or writing essential. Appropriate analysis of
1920's should be evident in piece. Must fit the style of the magazine type chosen.
30 points for overall group/magazine grade: How well do the articles fit together? Does the magazine feel
like an issue of Vogue or Time? Does the cover and table of contents give a good sense of the magazine?
The editor and cover page artist will earn 5 points each for their efforts.
Due Dates:
Tues., Feb 17: Preliminary ad analysis: Choose an ad from the magazine you brought into Mr. Clardy's
class. Analyze its content to determine the target audience of this magazine. Due: Tuesday, February 19th.

4. Wednesday, February 18: Magazine Analysis + Group Selection – ENGLISH: Form groups for project.
Pick magazine. Analyze the target audience by looking at ads, letters to editor, table of contents.
HISTORY: Analyze magazine for conservative or liberal leanings.
Magazine analysis due at end of period
Thursday, February 19 :Computer Lab 119: Look at websites for ideas of topics for your magazine. Fill out
sheet for proposed feature article.
Friday: computer lab: research first feature article.
Homework: WRITE YOUR FIRST ARTICLE FOR MONDAY
Monday, Feb. 23 Frst article due. In-class editing and critique
Wed., Feb 25 Research supplemental pieces
•Friday, Feb 27 All completed articles and supplements due in English class. Editor will check that all
components are complete. She will type a table of contents and assemble the magazine over the weekend.
Fill out all grade sheets with titles of articles/supplements. Artist will create cover of magazine
Monday, march 2, : Assembled magazine due at the beginning of history class. Any editor who is
assembling during class will forfeit 5 points off each group grade.