More than an obituary: Remembering a
life
Scholastic Journalism/2003
This is a
partner assignment. First, choose two obituaries from those provided and read
them. Notice how each is more than a list of survivors and time and place of
funeral as obituaries have traditionally been. These obituaries give us a sense
of who the person was and why his or her life was special.
Next, fill
out the details sheets for each of you. You have to pretend you have lived a
full life (say you died when you were 85, or whatever age you choose).
Interview each other to get the details.
Finally,
break apart and using one of the professional obituaries as your guide, write
one now for your “deceased” partner, telling about his or her life. You will
need to invent the remarks made about your partner by his or her family.
This
assignment is due _____________________________________________________
It is to be
typed and double spaced. Use good journalism style.
Details
of a life (remember, you need 100% accuracy here):
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Identification
_________________________________________________________
Age ____________ Date of death _______________________________________
Cause of death ________________________________________________________
Survivors
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Place of funeral
_______________________________________________________
Date of funeral ______________________Time
of funeral _____________________
Memorials?
___________________________________________________________
Special
remembrances? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Biographical Details:
Place of birth _____________________________ Year ______________________
Education history
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Work history
__________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Community Involvement
________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Special interests
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Interviews
with family (ask your partner for the names of four family members you will
interview: husband/wife, children, brothers/sisters).
Using the model story as your guide, come up with a quote from each that you
can weave into the obituary. Be sure you follow the model for how to use the
quote. It is the same as any news story.
Relative #1 name and relationship:
_________________________________________
Quotation:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Relative #2 name and relationship:
_________________________________________
Quotation:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Relative #3 name and relationship:
_________________________________________
Quotation:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Relative #4 name and relationship:
_________________________________________
Quotation: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________