The Passion Project
Most people have hobbies or something they are passionate about. In fact, life wouldn’t be very thrilling or meaningful if we didn’t care about or enjoy something. You might be passionate about a current issue, a past historical moment, a country or culture, a specific sport, healthy living, animals, a certain type of music, a future career pathway, how the brain works, the fascination people have with celebrities, or even videogames. No one can say what you are passionate about, but there must be something that greatly interests you.
For this project, you will select a topic you are passionate about, research it extensively, write an informative/explanatory 5-paragraph essay on your topic, create a brochure that compliments your essay, and present your project to the class.
Step 1: Choose a topic
a) Choose a topic you genuinely are interested in researching and learning more about, or learning a different perspective on.
b) Your topic must be from the approved list of ideas or if you come up with your own, you must have it approved by me.
c) You can’t change your overall topic, but you may change or focused area if it isn’t too late in the research process.
d) Be prepared to take a very broad topic and narrow it down to a specific focused area. Begin thinking of ways to focus your topic.
e) In the class, each student must have a different topic. You may have the same topic as someone else in a different class. You must sign-up for your topic.
Step 2: Do an initial research of the topic.
a) See what type of information is out there on your topic.
b) See if there are any controversies surrounding your topic.
c) Try to narrow down your topic to one specific idea or focused area within the topic.
d) Don’t try to make your topic be too much, but also don’t do too little. Making an idea map of a focused area and seeing if you can focus it down to three smaller areas is wise; this way you know if you have enough to write about, and also you’ll know if there is too much (if there is too much, try to focus it down again).
Step 3: Write a thesis statement and the ‘main idea map’ for your essay.
a) This thesis will guide your entire project and essay.
b) Your thesis and main idea map must be approved by me before you can continue on with your project.
Step 4: Continue your research.
a) Focus your research around finding information to support your thesis and the points in your main idea map.
b) You need to use at least 3 different articles in paragraph; but your research shouldn’t stop until you’ve found the absolute best three articles.
c) Print your articles. Highlight the most important information in your articles as you read.
d) Make evidence notecards. After you finish the initial reading and highlighting, write specific quotes, summarizations, or paraphrasing of words on the lined-side of notecards (1 quote or piece of information per notecard). One the blank side of the notecard, write the article name and citation information for that piece of evidence.
Step 5: Begin your outline and first draft of your essay.
a) Begin outlining your essay—your outline and your first draft must be color-coded.
b) Follow the 5-paragraph essay format, and use the model essays if needed for guidance.
c) Your outline needs to be checked off by me before you begin the first draft.
d) Once you have your outline approved, you may begin writing your first draft.
e) If your outline is not approved, you need to make adjustments and revise it. Resubmit it for approval.
f) When you finish your first draft you need to turn it in for corrective revisions.
g) Once the first draft is returned to you with suggested revisions, you will need to revise it.
Step 6: Write your final draft of your essay.
a) After fixing any errors in your first draft you will begin your final draft.
b) Proof read the final draft twice. Fix any errors.
c) Your final draft will be in black ink. You may hand-write it neatly or type it. I prefer typed essays.
d) Typing font: Times New Roman/12 point font. Double space.
e) Be sure that whether you are typing or hand-writing, your heading is in the proper place and uses the proper format.
f) Your final draft must be free of smudges, scratching out words, crinkles, creases—it must be neat, tidy, and in pristine condition.
g) Be sure your essay is 100-percent error free.
h) Use a report cover for your paper to help ensure it stays safe and clean.
i) Be sure to save a copy of your essay so you may access it later if needed for your brochure.
Step 7: Make a brochure that highlights the thesis and main topics of your essay.
a) Include 6 visuals, at minimum, on your brochure.
b) Your thesis statement should be easily noticeable on your brochure.
c) Include your 3 main points and bullet point the most important information from your essay. Be concise and clear.
d) Brochure must be created with Microsoft Publisher
e) Your brochure must have a clear title.
f) Your brochure must be neat and tidy—free of wrinkles, creases, and smudges.
g) Print two copies of your brochure (one for me and one for you)
Step 8: Turn in your essay and brochure together.
a) Use a report cover to protect your essay and in the front inside pocket of the report cover insert your brochure.
Step 9: Prepare for your presentation
a) Using your brochure, you will explain your paper—your thesis, main points, and the important information you found—to a group of peers.
b) Prepare how you will introduce your topic, how you will state your thesis, how you will address the main points clearly and the important information and research that go along with your main points.
Step 10: Present
a) In small groups, you will present your information to your peers.
b) Each person will display his/her brochure and pass it around for peers to look at.
c) Share your information as you prepared with your group.
d) Allow the group an opportunity to ask questions.
e) Take turns presenting, listening, and asking questions.
Due Dates
Assign Date: Monday, March 16th - Choose & sign up for a topic
Thesis Statement & Main Idea Map: Approval Due- Friday, March 20th (may by turned in prior to this date)
Essay Outline: Due- Friday, March 27th (may be turned in prior to this date)
First Draft of Essay: Due- Monday, April 6th (may be turned in prior to this date)
Final Essay Draft & Brochure: Due- Monday, April 27th
Presentation Day: Monday April 27th (and Tuesday if needed).
K-Lab Scheduled Dates
We will be in the K-lab to work on our project on the following dates. Bring a flash drive on these days!
Initial Research Day: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17th and 18th
Outlining and Researching Day: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 23rd, March 24th, and March 25th
Type First Draft: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd.
Please note: The final draft and brochure must be created at home.
Project Calendar (Subject to minor changes, if needed)
March 16Choose Topic / March 17
K Lab
Research Topic / March 18
K Lab
Research Topic / March 19
Develop and narrow ideas / March 20
Thesis & Idea Map Due
March 23
K Lab
Research (create notecards) / March 24
K Lab
Research (create notecards) / March 25
K Lab
Research (create notecards) / March 26
Outline in class / March 27
Outline Due
March 30 / March 31st
K Lab
Write 1st draft / April 1
K Lab
Write 1st draft / April 2
K Lab
Write 1st draft / April 3
April 6
1st Draft Due / April 7 / April 8 / April 9 / April 10
1st Drafts Returned to Students for corrections—begin working on final and the brochure at home
April 13th-April 17th: Spring Break
April 20 / April 21 / April 22 / April 23 / April 24
April 27
Project Brochure and Essay Due
Presentation Day / April 28
Possible Presentation Day 2
Points:
Essay: 20 point rubric (20 weighted by 4 = 80 points)
Brochure: 18 point rubric (18 weighted by 4 = 72 points)
+3 points for not being absent on K-Lab days and bringing flash drive.
Total Points Possible: 155
Possible Topics
1. Animal Testing (explaining/informing why people are for or against)
2. The fall of the Roman Empire
3. The Salem Witch Trials
4. World War I or II
5. The Holocaust
6. Japanese Internment camps
7. Any historical moment of interest
8. Measles outbreaks – throughout history or today
9. Other infectious disease outbreaks/epidemics
10. Your future career choice/area of interest
11. Effect of videogames on violence or brain functioning
12. Vaccines (explaining/informing why people are for or against)
13. Antibiotics (explaining/informing why people are for or against)
14. The moon landing
15. Effect of media/celebrities on kids and teens
16. Importance of sports for kids
17. Importance of a specific sport
18. The positive effect animals can have on a person
19. Fashion changes throughout history
20. A specific sports team’s success
21. History of automobiles
22. Gun control laws (explaining/informing why people are for or against)
23. The effect of sugar on the brain
24. Importance of a healthy lifestyle on the brain and body
25. What makes a great Superhero
26. Something specific about a culture or country
27. Modern-day Pirates
28. Copyrights/piracy--stealing music and/or movies
29. Bullying issues (in schools or online)
30. How to learn a certain skill (archery, guitar, singing, skateboarding, photography)
31. Your choice! Come up with your own topic, and have it approved by me.
You have until the end of the period to select your topic (or you will be assigned one).
Topic Choice: ______
______
Approved: ______