Quality Publications: You Be the Judge.

• Introduction
• Learners
• Standards
• Process
• Resources


• Student Page

by Tedd Brent, West Hills High School

In this WebQuest, students will work to identify and define key components of reputable periodicals, create a rubric to rate a magazine based on criteria they develop, and become judges for a faux magazine contest. Each group will produce an argumentative essay justifying whether or not a magazine given to them by the instructor would be conferred or denied an award in the faux contest based upon their rubric.

Teacher Introduction

So, you're teaching journalism or advising the school newspaper? Have you ever wished students were a little more critical, judgemental, or even more precise when it comes to their own work? After all, they are putting their names (and yours as adviser) before the school community-- shouldn't they feel, as you do, that "good enough" isn't?

That's where this webquest comes in-- by putting groups of students in the judges' seat of someone else's work, thereby giving them the skills and desire to be more critical of their own. Here, students will think through what makes a publication quality, compelling, and aesthetically-pleasing; create a rubric; judge a magazine; and justify whether or not they would award the magazine through writing an essay.