Muzaurieta 1
2014-15To Kill a Mockingbird Research Project – General Directions
Objective:
Students will research, learn about, and present to the class an assigned topic related to our study of To Kill a Mockingbird. Students will be able to learn about a variety of related issues while only researching one. Students will be able to practice both research and presentation skills.
THE PROCESS
à Task 1: Conduct research.
1. Homework FIND SOURCES. Find and print at least 3 articles about your topic; get citation information NOW. You are required to use reliable sources. SEE THE “SOURCES” DOC FOR GUIDANCE IN CHOOSING SOURCES.
* 3 Printed sources due Feb 12-17, pts
☺INFORMATION: A research outline guides your search by organizing the information you need into categories. A research outline may need revision as you do research, as you learn more.
2. Classwork RESEARCH OUTLINE. After skimming an article or two – so that you understand the basics of your topic – create a basic research outline that applies to your topic. SEE THE “OUTLINE” DOC FOR DETAILS.
☺INFORMATION: “To annotate” means to add explanatory notes to a book, document, etc.
3. Classwork & Homework ANNOTATE PRINTED SOURCES. As you carefully read each article, annotate it: that is, highlight relevant information and label it in the margin of the paper with categories (or with letters and numbers that correspond to your personalized research outline).
* Highlighters needed
4. Classwork & Homework TRACK PROGRESS. As you highlight information, type √ next to the relevant category on your outline. Most categories will need more than one √ to be considered complete. If you are missing some needed information, find additional sources.
* 3-5 Annotated sources due Feb 18-19 , pts
à Task 2: Final Complete Outline & Works Cited
5. Classwork & Homework COMPLETE OUTLINE. Organize all of your material into a Complete Research Outline. SEE THE “OUTLINE” DOC FOR DETAILS.
* Scissors & scotch tape needed
* Research outline, 1st draft due Feb 20-23, pts
6. WORKS CITED. Type a proper Works Cited page that includes all the sources you annotated.
* Final Complete Outline due Feb 24-25, pts
* Works Cited due Feb 24-25, pts
à Task 3: Prepare a presentation. Practice.
7. OVERVIEW HAND-OUT for your audience. Type a 1-2 page overview of your topic, that is, a very basic version of the research outline with the facts filled in. Leave some room for people to write comments or thoughts about the topics you include. Bring 6 copies of this hand-out to the presentation!
8. SPEECH. Plan a 5-7 minute speech that clearly teaches a listener about your topic. Be informative and interesting. (Note: you should not be able to include everything you learned. You need to reduce the topic to the most important facts.)
· The introduction should hook your audience.
· The speech should cover all important information listed on your research outline, and should examine issues of both pride and shame in our own history (i.e., by discussing who is admirable).
· The conclusion should comment on what positive lessons can be learned from this story.
9. NOTE CARDS. Create note cards to use when you present.
10. VISUAL AID. Find several images (minimum 4) that will help your audience understand your topic. You will want pictures of important people, places and events. You need to smoothly integrate references to the images into your presentation. You must print the images; each one must be at least full page size (8½ x 11); no exceptions.
11. PRACTICE. Practice using your note cards & visual aids to give the speech. Actually practicing with an audience is recommended.
* Hand-out, note cards, & visual aid images due with presentation
à Task 4: Present! Participate! Turn in a full set of your project materials!
12. PRESENTATION RULES. Student must distribute overview hand-out to audience. Student may use note cards only for presentation to small group audience; reading the speech is not allowed. Student must include a minimum of 4 images, smoothly integrated into presentation. Length: 5-7 minutes.
13. PARTICIPATION RULES. Audience members must: be attentive; annotate the hand-out they are given for each presentation; participate in discussion, by asking and answering questions.
14. TURN IN the following:
* presentation materials (hand-out, note cards, visual aid images)
* audience materials (a set of annotated hand-outs)
* research materials (annotated bibliography, packet of research outline + 3 annotated sources)
* ALL Speeches are given on Feb 26-27 ( pts for presentation, pts for participation)
à Task 5: Write the paper.
15. Using the Complete Outline, write the Formal Paper. Remember to use a formal 3rd person voice – this is NOT a written copy of a speech. Include proper citations and the Works Cited page.
* Formal Paper due Mar 2-3, pts
Presentation Advice for the student:
· Present yourself well and be attentive. Use good posture. Be confident.
· Use eye contact to make a direct connection with the entire audience; don’t focus solely on the teacher. Relax and be natural. Enjoy your speech; the audience will notice.
· Nervous gestures, poor eye contact with the audience, and lack of poise or confidence will detract from your score.
· Project to the audience. You want to capture the attention of everyone, including the people in the back row. However, do not mistake yelling for good volume or projection.
· Proceed at a fitting and natural pace. People may speak or express themselves too quickly when they are nervous, which can make a speech difficult to understand. Do not speak so slowly that the language sounds unnatural or awkward.
· Make sure you know how to pronounce every word in your speech. Articulate.
· Occasional gestures may be appropriate, but the line between appropriate and overdone is a thin one. When uncertain, leave them out.
· Avoid a monotonous delivery. If you sound bored, you will project that boredom to the audience. However, too much enthusiasm can make your performance seem insincere.
· In order for the audience to understand the story fully, you must understand the story fully. Be sure you know the meaning of every word in your speech, especially when you are quoting. If you are unsure about something, it will be apparent to the audience.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH PROJECT
Name Period
ANNOTATED SOURCES / 15COMPLETE RESEARCH OUTLINE / 30
FORMAL RESEARCH PAPER
PRESENTATION QUALITY: CONTENT + HAND-OUT / 30
VISUAL AIDS / 10
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION / 15
TOTAL /100
Main Topic
Content:
· The introduction should hook your audience.
· The speech should cover all important information listed on your research outline, and should examine issues of both pride and shame in our own history (i.e., by discussing who is admirable).
Subtopics:
Background of time, place, attitudes or beliefs that affected the event and/or trial
Brief background of important people and/or groups
Details of the event
Immediate results of the event (media coverage, public reaction)
Details of the trial
Immediate results of the trial (different reactions, complications)
Details of appeals process or other events caused by the trial
Long-term effects of the trial (long-term lessons or changes made as a result of this event)
· The conclusion should comment on what positive lessons can be learned from this story.
Presentation skills:
· physical presence, poise and confidence
· eye contact
· voice and articulation (volume, pace, rhythm, intonation, and proper pronunciation)
· dramatic appropriateness (i.e., interested mien, minimal but appropriate gestures)
· evidence of understanding
Visual Aids:
≥ 4 excellent images
Introduced well
Incorporated appropriately