The Highwayman - Lesson 10 - Newspaper Article Worksheet

In this engaging activity, students step into the role of a reporter for a local newspaper and are tasked with the solemn duty of writing a front-page story. The tragic events that unfolded the previous day, involving the deaths of the notorious highwayman and the innkeeper's daughter Bess, serve as the somber backdrop for their articles. This exercise not only encourages creative writing but also allows students to delve into the narrative and characters of the classic poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes. They are challenged to recount the dramatic and heart-wrenching tale, capturing the essence of the poem's storyline while adopting the factual and concise language typical of newspaper reporting.

The worksheet provides ample space for students to craft their articles, prompting them to consider the details of the story and how it might be presented to the public. As young reporters, they must consider the impact of their words and how to convey the emotion of the events while remaining true to the journalistic style. This lesson not only helps students to understand the poem's narrative more deeply but also enhances their writing skills by asking them to switch from poetic to journalistic expression. The task is designed to stimulate the students' imagination, improve their ability to summarize and analyze text, and develop their ability to write for different audiences and purposes.