Modern Dilemmas
Research Project-Topic of Choice
Current Event (individual grade)
Power Point Presentation (group grade)
Term Paper #4 (individual grade)
Part I. The Current Event (Individual Grade. It will be an example of your general research topic.)
Due: September 23rd
Choose a current event that represents a controversial, pressing modern dilemma affecting our society
today. Cut it out from a newspaper or a magazine, or you can download it from an online source.
Read the news article through thoroughly so that, during an in class presentation, you will: show your
Understanding of the event, offer where and when it happened, share who it affected and how, and explain
the local, national, and global repercussions of the event. You will also be asked to share your opinion on
the matter.
Part II. The Power Point Presentation (Group grade-You will be grouped by similarity of topic.)
Due: September 23rd
You will become a member of a group that focuses around a core “freedom” which is threatened by your
general research topic. You will be assigned specific pages to read, to understand, and then to teach to
the other members of the class through a power point presentation. I suggest you also explore other
reading materials on your own to help you better understand, and therefore better teach, your topic.
Since each member of the group has already found a recent current event connected to this “freedom,”
there will be plenty to discuss in your group.
Your power point presentation should:
ü Explain what the freedom is, how it connects to “the original” and “the modern” dilemma as it is presented in the online textbook
ü Explain how the American government’s attempt to maintain this freedom affects its purpose of maintaining order, ensuring freedom, and promoting equality.
ü Evaluate , as a group, whether or not America is functioning as a healthy democracy in regards to your core freedom.
Slide Requirements:
· A “Title slide”
· A minimum of 10 “Content Slides” that answer the above questions.
· A “Key Points Slide.” This will summarize your presentations THREE most significant points for your audience.
· A “Bibliography Slide” in MLA format
Part III. The Research Paper (an individual grade)
Due: October 20th
Choose a controversial, pressing modern dilemma from our brainstormed list or offer an alternative topic
of your choice. In a minimum 5-paragraph, research-based essay, address the following question:
In what ways does this dilemma and the way in which it is perceived by the public reflect larger societal controversies, taboos, problems, or anxieties that result from the increased globalization of the modern world?In the course of your research essay, be sure to address all of the following questions:
· What is the history of this problem? When did it begin? Why has it become such a growing problem in our globalized society?
· Why do people find this topic so objectionable or controversial? What are the public’s varied responses/reactions/feelings about it?
· Which people or group(s) finds this topic objectionable or controversial?
· What are the prominent social concerns or groups that this topic primarily affects?
· What are the potential/proposed solutions to combat this crisis? How effective are these efforts?
· What may be the legacy or the lasting effects of this current issue?
Your essay MAY be structured as follows (or you can choose own DIs):
Introduction: Anecdotal/interesting opening, main idea/thesis statement, presentation of developing
ideas, closing sentence.
Developing Idea #1: Background about the topic- Cover the first bullet point above while also meeting
(all levels do) the level requirements per developing paragraph, as listed below.
Developing Idea #2: Analysis of the controversy- Cover bullet points #2 and #3 while also meeting
(all levels do) the level requirements per developing paragraph, as listed below.
Developing Idea #3: Analysis of the context-Cover bullet points #4 and #5 while also meeting
(only level 2+3 must do) the level requirements per developing paragraph, as listed below.
Conclusion (covers last bullet point)
Reaffirm your main idea/thesis Statement. It should also make a statement from your
own point of view (without using “I”, “me”, or “my”) about the legacy or the lasting social effect of this current issue?
Level Modifications
Level 2 5 paragraphs total. 9 cited examples total. 4 DQs required
Level 3 5 Paragraphs total. 6 cited examples total. 3 DQs required.
Level 4 4 Paragraphs total. 6 cited examples total. 2 DQs required.
Suggested Thesis Statements
Your MI/Thesis Statement should be structured something like this:
Sample 1: People respond (adverb) to “insert topic” primarily because the current social climate feels ____ (adverb) about “insert the basis of the dilemma.”
Sample 2: “Insert topic” has come to represent (abstract concept/controversial idea) over time since at the current social climate is primarily concerned with…..
Sample 3: “Insert topic” captures all of the (adjective) emotion associated with the “insert the bass of the dilemma” since it portrays the……
Sources: Your must use a minimum of 3 sources for this paper and a maximum of 6. Avoid using .com websites. See me for approval on those. Try to have one non-internet source (a book, documentary, a news special or interview). All sources must be cited. A Works Cited for the entire paper must be attached to the paper. When in doubt, cite! I will be using “Turn it in .com” with this assignment.
Please format your paper with a proper heading-see below
Fennelly 1
Your Name
Date
Ms. Fennelly
Modern Dilemmas
Research Paper
My Catchy Title
Research Paper Outline
I. Introduction:
Thesis Statement______
______
State DI#1______
______.
State DI#2______
______.
State DI#3 (levels 2+3)______
______.
II. Developing Paragraph #1:
Example #1______
______( ).
Example #2______
______( ).
Example#3______
______( ).
III. Developing Paragraph #2:
Example #1______
______( ).
Example #2______
______( ).
Example#3______
______( ).
IV. Developing Paragraph #3: (only level 2 and 3 complete)
Example #1______
______( ).
Example #2______
______( ).
Example#3______
______( ).
V. Conclusion
Topic Sentence______
______
Restate DIs______
______
RFS______
______
______
______
______
Works Cited Page
(sample)
Author Last Name, First Name. Title. Place of Publication: Publishing Company, Year of
Publication.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title”. Magazine/Newspaper Title. Date of
Publication.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Web Article Title”. Web Site Title. Date Posted or
Updated. Date accessed.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title”. Journal Title. Date Published. Database
Name. Service Name. Name of Library. Date Accessed.
NOTE: There are other types of sources you may use. See the LMC's “MLA Works Cited Entries” handout for further formatting directions.
Due Dates Checklist
___Topic Choice Due Monday, September 15th
___Presentation of Current Event-this can serve as
a source for you research paper later Due Monday, September 23rd
____Presentation of Power Point and course reading-this
can serve as a second source for your research paper. Due Monday, September 23rd
____Third Source about your topic, either its history, Due Tuesday, October 7th
the current controversy surrounding it, or the possible
lasting consequences.
___ Outline of DIs (given to you) and evidence (your research) Due Monday, October 14th
____ Final Draft of Essay Due Due Monday, October 20th
Current Events and Power Point Presentations
Student Name: ______Student’s Research Topic______
“Freedom Group” Assigned ______
Criteria / 4 (Very Good) / 3 (Acceptable) / 2 (Needs Work) / 1 (Poor)Preparedness
And
Professionalism / Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.
Speaks clearly & distinctly 100-95% of the time; mispronounces no words
Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation. / Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.
Speaks clearly and distinctly 100-95% of the time, but mispronounces 1 or 2 words
Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation. / The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear planning was lacking.
Speaks clearly and distinctly 94-80% of the time. Mispronounces some words
Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact. / Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces many words
Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Summary of Current Event / Shows a comprehensive understanding of the event. Presentation of the summary is detailed and fluid. / Summary shows some understanding of the event. Presentation of the summary is somewhat detailed and fluid. / Summary shows only basic understanding of the event. Presentation of the summary has little detail and is forced. / Summary shows little or no understanding of the event. No details are presented.
Connection to Modern Dilemma and “Freedom Group” / Explains connection to this unit's dilemma w/ confidence & offers several examples of evidence to validate the connection. Connection is made clear to audience. / Explains connection to this unit's dilemma w/confidence & offers some examples of evidence to validate the connection. Connection is somewhat clear to audience. / Explains connection to this unit's dilemma w/little confidence & offers few examples of evidence to validate the connection. Connection is not entirely clear to the audience. / Doesn’t explain connection to this dilemma. Offers no examples of evidence to validate the connection. Connection is not at all clear to audience.
Oral and PowerPoint Presentation / Articulate, clear deliver’ PowerPoint serves as a effective supplement to presentation; strong understanding of topic.
Beautifully follows instructions as to number and purpose of slides. / Clear delivery; PowerPoint serves as an effective supplement to presentation; fairly strong understanding of topic. Mostly follows instructions as to number and purpose of slides. / Deliver unclear and disjointed at times; PowerPoint should have been a more effective supplement to presentation; better mastery of subject matter needed. Missing at least one slide, possibly more, thus creating gaps in information needed. / Deliver unclear and disjointed throughout; PowerPoint was an ineffective supplement to presentation; no mastery of subject matter. Does not follow instructions as to number and purpose of slides.
Bibliography / Effective choice of sources; careful attention to proper formatting. / Effective choice of sources; few mistakes with formatting. / Some questionable sources; few mistakes with formatting. / Questionable sources; many mistakes with formatting.
Professionalism / Excellent use of class time; equitable work division; respectful audience member. / Good use of class time; mostly equitable work division; respectful audience member. / Either did not make good use of class time, did not divide work equitably, or not respectful audience member. / Two or three of the following: did not make good use of class time, did not divide work equitably, or not respectful audience member.
SCORE Grade Comments
Modern Dilemmas Research Paper RubricTeacher Name: Ms. Fennelly
Student Name: ______
CATEGORY / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1Introduction (Organization) / Complete Identification: full title, author or director, year it was released or published
The introduction is interesting and articulate. It previews the structure of the paper with a clear main idea, CI and the DIs. Thoughtful closing. / The introduction clearly states the main topic, CI and DIs, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. / The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. / There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper.
Evidence
/ Relevant, telling, quality examples give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable. / Supporting details and information are relevant, but not all examples support the developing idea. / Some relevant examples present, but several examples seem unconnected to the developing idea. / Supporting details and information are typically unclear or not related to the topic.Analysis
/ Each example is analyzed in a clear, articulate way. The author thoughtfully connects examples to the thesis statement, showing a mastery of material and critical thinking. / Each example is analyzed in a clear way. The author connects examples to the thesis statement, showing a mastery of material and some critical thinking. / Each example is analyzed. The author does not always connect examples to the thesis statement, showing an uncertainty of some of the text. Minimal critical thinking. / Each example is not analyzed. The author does not connect examples to the thesis statement, showing little knowledge of text. Analysis resorts to generalizations or repetition of evidence.Diction, style, and Mechanics
/ Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced. Writer makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the paper is exceptionally easy to read. Varied Sentence Style. Mature writing-no personal pronouns or passive voice. / Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone. Writer makes 1 or 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the paper is still easy to read. Varied sentence style-flows nicely. Writing could be more mature. / Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair. Writer makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow. Simplistic writing style. / Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or captures the reader's interest. Jargon or clichés may be present and detract from the meaning. Writer makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and greatly interrupt the flow. Immature writing styleMLA documentation / All quotes are cited appropriately.
The works cited page meets all requirements requested by teacher.
Paper has proper heading and format including page numbers, font, margins, etc and is in proper format. / 1-2 errors total with citation and works cited.
Paper has proper heading and format including page numbers, font, margins, etc and is in proper format / Has at least two errors total with citation and works cited.
Paper has at 1-2 errors with heading and format including page numbers, font, margins, etc and is in proper format / Has several errors total with citation and works cited.
Paper has more than two errors with heading and format including page numbers, font, margins, etc and is in proper format
Conclusion (Organization) / The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at." Articulate and mature RFS. / The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends. RFS is clearly understood. / The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends. RFS weak or obvious. / There is no clear conclusion, no RFS, the paper just ends.
Strengths Weaknesses Grade