Social Commentary Poster

Social Commentary is a way to present your thinkingon a social issue. As we have been discussing in class, Sandra Cisneros offers her view of her world, society, community, family, etc. in The House on Mango Street. She does so through her figurative language, through symbols and stories.

Choose an issue

For this assignment, you will first choose a social or cultural issue. I suggest that you choose something simple. Keep in mind the kinds of issues that Cisneros explores and how she explores them—details, details, details. Choosing something you care about will make the assignment easier. In the past students have used silly issues as an easy way into the assignment. Please consider issues that have an impact on the way we live, the way we interact with each other, and/or the way we impact the world (this list is not exhaustive). Please do not choose something like: which people like better—waffles or pancakes, who is more evil—Darth Vader or Kyleren, etc.

Research

After selecting an issue, do a little research. You need to find at least 2 sources that will give you some context, will help you think about the issue a little more completely. Remember that these kinds of issues are rarely as simple as they may seem. Look for the complexity, so you can give as complete a picture of the issue as you can.

After you find your sources, you will create a simple annotated bibliography to begin to practicing MLA citation. The simple annotated bibliography will contain a MLA formatted citation and a paragraph of summary, detailing the content of each source.

Poster

You will then create a poster (a half of the regular poster size 14x22) using symbols that represent your view of your social issue. You can use words, pictures, newsprint, drawings, etc. Make sure that you carefully select symbols that speak to people generally as well as to you.

After arranging your poster, write a 1-2 page explanation of your poster. Make sure to include the definitions of the symbols you chose (why you chose them and what you think they will say to viewers). Incorporate your research into your text (remember to use in-text citations and work cited entries to avoid plagiarism).

Sources Due: Thursday Nov 3/Friday Nov 4

Poster Due: Tuesday Nov 8/Wednesday Nov 9

Grade / Criteria / Comments
Poster
/12 Content / The poster clearly shows your position on the social issue; it should show the connections you see to the larger world as well as your personal connections
/4 Audience awareness / The project shows that you considered your audience
/4 appearance / Follows grammar conventions for the audience, purpose, and medium. Clean copy, well-edited
Paper
/5 Content / The paper explains the connections the poster shows about your social issue
/5Research / The paper incorporates the research and is documented with internal citations as well as a works cited page.