Research Project & Speech: Catalysts for Change
Research: In the library and outside of class on your own. As a result of your research, you must have…
· Four different sources of information
1. Interview
2. Book, article, movie
3. Book, article, movie
4. Book, article, movie
· All sources must be used and cited within your essay, or they will not be counted as legitimate
· A Work Cited page will be included at the end of your paper, and will conform to MLA format guidelines
· All notes must be taken on note cards
· All information (be it paraphrased or directly quoted) must be cited appropriately, or it may be deemed plagiarized material and receive a ZERO.
Interview: You must contact someone connected to your topic via telephone, Skype, email, or in person
· You will be expected to compile a list of 10-15 questions for your interview in advance
· I will collect your questions, answers, and notes taken during the interview with signatures
· You must use at least one answer from your interview in your essay
Essay: This will be worth ______points, plus points for outline and drafts
· 4-6 pages in length (9 paragraphs)
· Must have a well defined introduction, body and conclusion- utilizing transitions well within and between body paragraphs
· Must be in MLA format (Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced)
· Must include a Work Cited Page (example at the end of the packet)
· The essay will address the three points above
Speech: This will be worth______points. For those of you who have not yet passed the speech proficiency required for graduation, this is another opportunity to do so.
· Must be between 4-6 min long (being even a second under or over the requirement will result in a points penalty).
· Your speech must have a catchy introduction, an informative body and an organized conclusion
· Your speech must be rehearsed and well organized; strive for eye contact, which means little to no reading.
· You must incorporate a PowerPoint. Make sure that your visual is attractive, useful, and informative. You may have up to 10 slides with a maximum of 15 words per slide.
· Plan, practice, and polish- strong eye contact, voice clarity, and dress to impress!
The art of research writing is to find information, synthesize it, and write about it in your own words, drawing original conclusions, making sense of what you have found, and giving credit to any and all sources of outside information.
Save all note cards, printed and highlighted pages from resources and your drafts until you have received your paper back from me. If I suspect plagiarism, you will be asked to show me that your work is original. Trust yourself to be able to make sense of information. Write about it in your own style and give credit to your sources. You must show me ALL of the prewriting steps, to get a grade on the final product.
You must complete every step to earn a final grade. For example, if you never show Mrs. Kamali the notecards, you will not earn a grade on the final paper.
Due Dates:
Topics: 4/29 Points Possible: 5
Sources (x3) 5/1 Points Possible: 15
Note Cards (36-45): ______Points Possible: 50
Thesis and Outline: ______Points Possible: 50
Interview ______Points Possible: 50
Essay 1st draft: ______Points Possible: 25
Final Essay: ______Points Possible: 300
PowerPoint: ______Points Possible: 50
Speeches begin: ______Points Possible 150
Your Primary Source: Research Interview
Keep this in mind:
- Cannot be a family member/teacher
- They do not have know your catalyst
- The interviewee can be knowledgeable about-
a. your problem/issue/why?
b. your catalyst and his/her actions
c. the outcome or effect
Conducting the Interview:
- Phone, Email, In person, Skype
a. Have at least 10 questions prepared. Write down answers.
b. You will be graded on the quality of your questions. Weak and uninspired questions do not get outstanding responses.
c. Think about what you can get from your interview that you cannot just get online or from a book.
d. If the questions are asking for a one word answer or a fact, they are not sufficient.
You will need to turn in:
1. Your questions with notes/answers (typed, hand written, printed email)
If it is over the phone, have your signature and a parent’s signature
If it is an email, have the print out, with your signature and a parent’s signature
If it is in person, have your signature, a parent’s signature and the source’s signature
------cut and staple to Q &A------
Source Name: Source Signature:
Source Qualifications:
Source Phone Number:
Source Email:
Student Signature:
Parent Signature:
Making Source Cards: minimum of 4
(one for your book(s), one for online source(s) and one for interview)
Making Research cards:
Internal Citations
“After your quote or paraphrased information” (citation here).
Book, Article, Encyclopedia: use the author’s last name and page number.
More than one author? List the last names and then page number.
Interview: use last name of interview source.
Online source: use last name if there is one. If not, use a shortened version of “Title” instead. Put the title in parentheses.
Movie: Title
Seeds of a Revolution
Jamie Oliver, A Catalyst for Change
by
Stephanie Kamali
English 10, Period 2
Mrs. Kamali
29 May 2011
Creating an Outline
1. Organize note cards into piles based on heading. Place them in sensible order. Eliminate excess/duplicate cards.
Pile 1: Problem or issue
Pile 2: Actions of your person
Pile 3: Outcome, influence, effect
2. Now break them down even more. Each pile will serve as a body paragraph in your paper, with each note card becoming a fact/quote to parenthetically cite. Decide on the order: 1, 2 or 3. Label the cards! -Problem, Body 1, quote 3 or -Actions, Body 4, quote 1
3. Create a title that goes front and center at the top of your outline.
Seeds of Change:
Jaimie Oliver, A Catalyst for Change
4. Create a thesis (topic + opinion) which embodies every aspect of the paper, and write it below your title. Be daring in your thesis! It must be an opinionated statement, one which requires your proof, your support.
EX: Mother Teresa is a generous woman who sacrificed her life to hel others.
BOO! Common knowledge; no support necessary; no risk in this
Mother Teresa bridged the spiritual and physical worlds in teaching how a fulfilled life is one of philanthropy and self-sacrifice, not one of materialism and self-indulgence.
YAY! A bold statement which requires proof; risky in that it challenges the cultural norm, the common conceptions
5. Create an outline to organize your body paragraphs. The main headings (Roman Numerals) will be your topic sentences for each paragraph.
EX:
I. Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Clay in Lousiville, Kentucky.
BOO! TS must never be a fact.
I. In his early childhood, Muhammad Ali demonstrated the fortitude of a champion by rising above his meager environment and overcoming countless obstacles.
YAY! TS is an opinion which requires facts from paragraph
6. The subheadings (Capital Letters) will be facts/quotes from your note cards.
7. Your commentary will be numbers.
I. Topic Sentence
A. Quote
1. Commentary
Seeds of a Revolution
Jaimie Oliver, a Catalyst
Thesis: Type your thesis here. It should be word for word what is in your research paper. It should also be single-spaced, unlike your actual essay. After this, start outlining your essay.
I. Introduction
A. Lead image-
B. Background-
C. Thesis- (yes, just copy and paste from above)
II. Topic sentence for body 1 (should be about the problem origin)
A. Quote
1. Commentary
2. Commentary
B. Quote
1. Commentary
C. Quote
1. Commentary
2. Commentary
3. Commentary
III. Topic sentence for body 2 (should be about the effects of the problem)
* repeat organization from above
IV. Topic sentence for body 3 (should be about your catalyst’s actions)
* repeat organization from above
V. Topic sentence for body 4 (should be about your catalyst’s actions continued)
* repeat organization from above
VI. Topic sentence for body (should be about your catalyst’s actions continued)
* repeat organization from above
VII. Topic sentence for body (should be about what your catalyst achieved)
* repeat organization from above
VIII. Topic sentence for body (should be about what your catalyst achieved)
IX. Conclusion
A. After careful consideration of______, one can conclude that______.
B. Loop back to your lead image.
Suggestions for the Research Intro and Conclusion
Intro Paragraph (5+ sentences):
Follow the inverted triangle formula.
1. Lead with imagery that engages the senses (see, hear, taste, smell, touch)
2. Then, add general background as a transition (see suggestions below)
3. End with a specific, opinionated thesis.
Suggestions for background:
· What is a catalyst of change? What are attributes of a leader?
· How are these people different from ordinary folks in society?
· How is our world shaped by these rare people?
· What would society be like without leaders, people who are willing to take risks?
· Then introduce your specific person and explain how he/she meets your criteria of a catalyst of change
Conclusion (5+ sentences):
· Based on all the research you completed and all the facts you uncovered about this person, now answer the simple question: SO WHAT?
o What conclusion(s) can you draw?
o What does all the info in paper prove? (see thesis!)
o Speculate on how this person’s legacy will affect future generations
o Come back to that opening image you started with
Research Lead Samples
Wood split with an echoing crash as limbs met dirt, while birds soared into the cloudy refuge of the sky, abandoning their ruined homes. Machines whirred to life as men on the ground barked orders to collect the precious wood from the fallen tree. Within moments, a serene landscape was reduced to a vacant stump-infested patch of earth. Without anyone to block the path of industry, the wilderness suffered immensely at the hand of humans. No one truly aided the forests and lands of North America until the arrival of environmentalist, John Muir. Not only did he exhibit a passion for nature, he possessed the ardor to truly protect it. With Muir’s contribution, ‘virgin forests’ stood a fighting chance against merciless industry; ravaging, non-native livestock and money-driven laborers no longer harm the land quite so recklessly. John Muir protected America’s unscathed lands, enlightening the public with his tremendous efforts in wilderness preservation, forever securing this nation’s vast and stunning landscape.
It was sliced into perfect segments, sautéed to the ideal texture, and basted to a magnificent essence. As the morsel melted in the mouth, the tremendous flavor hit the palate, immediately stirring the senses. The aroma and savor of delicious food can alter your senses, just as particular individuals have the altered world. That individual who sets himself apart from the normal realm of society, and beneficially aids and advances civilization is a catalyst of change. Her values and passions overcome the past and are the backbone of what directs them to their future. In the absence of these individuals, technology may have never been born, lives may have been lost, several professions may have never been discovered, and overall the efficiency of life never would have been revealed. Catalysts of change come in all areas of life, and as time continues to pass, communities continue to evolve by these sole few. During the 1960’s, Julia Child significantly transformed the way Americans view the cooking scene. While generating excitement and simplicity in her recipes along with her savvy presence in the media, Julia Child led America into an era of fine culinary cuisine.
Camera lights flicker astonishingly around every inch of the stadium. In unison, the roaring crowd chants the name of the victor. As the blaring crowds’ persisting chant grows louder, a man in the middle of the ring raises his bloodied and torn gloves. As he bounces around with limitless energy, he repeatedly hollers “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” A new champion is born. Thousands of aspiring children boxers gaze at the television in utter disbelief as Muhammad Ali wraps the intricate and shiny Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist. This single event served as the glorious reward of a lifetime of dedication and hardship. Without this man, the whole world of sports could never be the same. Through racism, afflictions, and tremendous effort in the boxing ring, Muhammad Ali paved his own unique trail of success and accomplishment that even the mightiest of people would struggle to achieve.
Works Cited
Cott, Jonathan. Pipers at the Gates of Dawn: The Wisdom of Children’s Literature. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985.
Ford, Carin T. Dr. Seuss: Best Loved Author. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2003.
Nel, Philip. Dr. Seuss: An American Icon. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group, Inc., 2004.
Puente, Maria, Craig Wilson, and Mary Cadden. “Why we love Dr. Seuss (in a few words): [FINAL Edition].” USA Today. 2 Mar.2004, D.04.US National Newspapers.ProQuest.Foothill High School Library, Pleasanton, CA. 2 Feb. 2007. <http://www.proquest.com>
Scott, A.O. “Sense and Nonsense.” The New York Times Magazine. 26 Nov. 2000. The New York Times. Foothill High School Library, Pleasanton, CA. 3 Feb. 2007. <http://partners.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20001126mag-seuss.html>
Smith, Amanda. “Dr. Seuss: Icon and Iconoclast.” Book Talk. 2005. ABC Radio National. 9 Feb. 2007. <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/booktalk/stories/s1096785.htm>.
“The Political Doctor Seuss. The Gallery.” PBS. 2 Feb. 2007. <http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/politicaldrseuss/seuss_fla.html>
Thompson, Mark. Theodor Seuss Geisel: The Early Works. Ohio: Checker Book Publishing Group, 2005.