Welcome to The Inferno – Group Project and Presentation
Directions: You will critically read Cantos from Dante’s Inferno, discuss, comprehend, research and compile a presentation of your findings to present to your classmates.
Objective: You never know something as well as when you have to teach it! You will take advantage of this psychological certainty and teach Dante to your peers and myself! This is a MAJOR PROJECT GRADE – it counts as much as a MAJOR ESSAY in this class. Treat it as such – take it seriously or suffer the consequences. Those students who are lethargic will suffer heinously. J
Project Requirements, Criteria and Expectations
Read each item carefully and check it off when you and your group complete it in its entirety!
1. The class will be divided up into seven or eight groups.
a. Yes, you can choose your own group.
b. Choose wisely! Make sure everyone has the same work ethic you do or you will become quite frustrated!
2. Each of the groups will be assigned a section of Dante’s Inferno – 3-4 Cantos will be your content.
a. Each group is responsible for teaching their group of Cantos to the class.
b. That is the basic premise of this project, but it is never that simple. J
Group 1: Cantos IX-XI (9-11) CIRCLE YOUR GROUP’S CANTOS!
Group 2: Cantos XII-XIV (12-14)
Group 3: Cantos XV-XVII (15-17) Project Due Date: ______
Group 4: Cantos XVIII-XX (18-20) My Group’s Presentation Date: ______
Group 5: Cantos XXI-XXIII (21-23)
Group 6: Cantos XXIV-XXVI (24-26)
Group 7: Cantos XXVII-XXX (27-30)
Group 8: Cantos XXIX-XXX (29-30)
FYI: We will read I-VIII together, and we finish XXXI-XXXIV together after the presentations.
Presentation Requirements – read each item carefully!
1. Your presentation must fit into a 10-20 minute time span. Yes, you will be timed and yes you will be penalized if you go OVER or UNDER your allotted time. PRACTICE your presentation at least 3-4 times before you present it!
2. Your group must teach your Cantos in their entirety – be sure to budget enough time for each Canto!
When teaching your set of Cantos, your group must:
3. Read the Cantos 3-4 times on your own; discuss thoroughly with your group members before beginning the project. Your group members should be the experts on these Cantos – you should be able to teach them better than me (your teacher)! You need to come across as the expert on these Cantos. Read them carefully and understand them well.
4. Summarize the action of each Canto – use 3-5 sentences for each Canto.
5. Explain how your sins fit into the framework of Dante’s organization – why is it where it is in Hell, according to Dante?
6. Explain how each punishment fits each sin – why is it apt symbolic retribution for that particular sin?
7. Explain all of the allusions accurately.
a. There are many historical figures, Greek Mythology characters, Roman Mythology characters, etc.
8. Explain any symbolism and/or archetypes used in the Cantos – call them by name and explain them.
9. Explain any themes, thematic motifs and patterns, and any abstract ideas that are prevalent in the Cantos.
a. Explain anything else that is important in the Cantos.
10. Your group must read aloud key passages from the Cantos.
a. Part of the presentation should be all members of your group analyzing the passages you read aloud.
11. You MUST bring a printed copy of your PowerPoint slides to turn in to me so I can read and follow along as you’re presenting. Print multiple slides per page – save ink!
12. Create a handout for each person in the class to reference. This handout can do many different things, but it must fit seamlessly into your presentation as a whole. It must aid in the understanding and study of your group’s set of Cantos. If you need help making copies, let me know and I can gladly help out with this!
13. Your presentation should also include something visual.
a. This should not be JUST a sculpture or picture of the punishments themselves. It should be something that works seamlessly within the presentation and helps your audience understand the complexities of the Cantos.
14. Your presentation should be INTERACTIVE – this means involving ALL of your peers in it! When I say ALL of your peers, I mean it! We ALL need to feel engaged in your presentation.
a. You must be creative and think outside the box for this portion of the project!
15. Power Point is an option for your presentation, but be sure you’re not just reading what is on the screen. This is boring, and it doesn’t keep your audience intrigued.
16. Research for this project must be done OUTSIDE of class and on your time but with the help of the librarians! Go to them, tell them what you’re doing and ask them for the best resources!
17. You will be required to submit portions of your project along the way so as to prevent you from procrastinating – be prepared for random checks and submissions of materials.
Things to Remember!
· The presentation should be seamless – there shouldn’t be awkward pauses and presenters not knowing what to say and when to say it. Work as a team - -don’t just conquer and divide the project. Everyone should know ALL of the material thoroughly – you’re ALL accountable for the information, in the end.
· Your presentation should be presented in a professional manner but also be enjoyable to the audience and evaluator (me). This means that you should practice it. Presentations in real time often happen faster than in practice so time your presentation at least 3-4 times BEFORE presenting it to the class.
· If you are using technology, set it up in advance. Be sure you down-convert any files to accommodate the PowerPoint software on the school Innovation Stations/document cameras. Come and ask me about these details.
· Have notes prepared. Coordinate your movements as you present. The more you practice and plan the fewer problems you will have.
· Plan for the WORST CASE SCENARIO – assume that your printer won’t work, your computer will crash, your files won’t convert, your files won’t open and your entire digital presentation won’t cooperate whatsoever. What is your plan when this happens? Where will your extra presentation be stored and saved? Don’t wait until the DAY OF your presentation to figure out a contingency plan!
o Have 2-3 alternative plans in case technology fails you – this is a good LIFE skill!
§ Student/Share Drives at Bowie are usually reliable – save a copy there.
§ Email it to me, your group members and yourself – always a good idea.
§ Have each group member print out hard copies of the presentation in case you need to use it in class and so you have one for me to follow along with
§ In the real world, if your presentation for your boss gets lost, messed up or won’t work – guess what, you can’t “turn it in next time” or “turn it in late.” So practice for real world scenarios!
My Project Checklist – in order of priority!
1. READ (critically and carefully) my group’s assigned Cantos and take arduous notes; discuss with group. Read again. Analyze profusely with group members. Discuss. Discuss. Write an accurate summary. Make a list of ALL allusions.
2. Talk to the librarians (Mrs. Gogonas and Mrs. Ferguson) and find adequate research materials. Check out books or log-in to online research tools ASAP!
8.