Holiday season feature assignments usually produce one of two things: surface-level descriptions of traditions the student already knows, or well-meaning coverage that accidentally "others" the subject. This assignment is built to prevent both. Students interview someone about a cultural or family tradition, write a 400–500 word feature, and work from a cultural sensitivity guide that teaches them exactly what to watch out for before they write a word.
See it on Teachers Pay Teachers — $4.79
What's Included: Feature Story Assignment Sheet — requirements (400–500 words, 3+ quotes), interview subject options, interview questions organized by category (tradition background, personal meaning, sensory details, connection), writing guidance, and grading criteria Cultural Sensitivity Guide — why cultural sensitivity matters in journalism, before/during interview best practices, a language guide table with good vs. problematic examples, and four common pitfalls explained: othering, the spokesperson problem, deficit narrative, and surface coverage Short Feature Story Rubric — criterion-referenced rubric with scored example and student self-checklist How to Use It:
Works as a November/December assignment timed to Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Diwali coverage — or as a multicultural feature writing unit at any point in the year. The cultural sensitivity guide functions as a standalone pre-writing lesson before students go out to interview. Sixteen pages total, Word format, ready to assign. Strong fit for journalism, yearbook, newspaper staff, and creative writing classes.
For a complete unit, this assignment is part of the Holiday Traditions Feature Writing Bundle, which adds photography and visual journalism components — a full multicultural journalism project at significant savings. Both are included in the Complete High School Journalism Curriculum Bundle. If this resource saved you prep time, please leave a rating under My Purchases Provide Feedback. Every review earns you TpT Credits toward future purchases — roughly $1 in credits for every $10 reviewed.
Follow Starmaker English & Journalism Tools to be notified when new resources launch or go on sale. Keywords: holiday traditions feature writing, inclusive journalism assignment, cultural sensitivity journalism, multicultural journalism lesson, holiday feature story grades 7-12, journalism diversity assignment, feature writing cultural sensitivity, journalism Thanksgiving assignment, holiday season journalism, inclusive language journalism, community journalism feature, student journalist cultural competency, high school journalism feature writing, multicultural writing assignment, ethical journalism classroom
Designed for grades 7-12.
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