Final Project – Fall 2019
* Consult the Class Schedule for Due Dates of Drafts, etc.
PART 1:
Start with an issue that is important to you. Then, phrase it is a
question
that is meaningful, contentious, and at least somewhat current.
* The following issues are off limits this time: Marijuana, Abortion, Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide.
Then, you’ll find ≥ 4 sources that offer a response of some kind to that question or problem. You should find 2 sources that represent one side/response to the issue, and 2 sources that represent an opposing point of view. You should have at least one source on each side of the issue from a credible, written source. The remaining 2 sources can also be written/text sources; however, they can also be videos, interviews, and other types of secondary sources that thoughtfully reflect a point a view about the specific question/problem you’ve started with. Just be aware that the criteria of quality is the same for each source, regardless of what medium it is.
From there, you’ll
write at least ≥ 1500
thoughtful words
that offer your own proposed argument, and you’ll use the sources you found to corroborate your point of view, acknowledge the counter-arguments, or simply add “relevant information” to consider. In each case, this will somehow involve evaluating each source’s message in regard to your research question. This is where the files, videos, exercises, etc. involving logic and argumentation will come in handy. These 1,500 words can be in essay form or in the form of a written conversation (see the “Conversation Option” file if interested).
*
PROPOSAL:
DUE
before
Tuesday, 10/22
. The sooner the better.
Before drafting, you must send me a proposal for what
you’d like to do.
The proposal will be sent via Canvas email and will include the following 3 components:
- Phrase your issue as a specific question.
Briefly
explain the opposing points of view toward this question. (What is one side’s answer, and generally speaking, why do they think so? Then, repeat for the other side.)
- Why should your readers care? How is this relevant to them, either directly or indirectly?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PART 2:
Putting On Your Teacher Shoes.
Imagine you’re going to be teaching a class centered on the research question at the center of your final project as you do the following:
In-Class Activity
:
In as much detail as you need, please describe a thoughtful in-class activity that involves at least 1 of your sources. You can write in paragraph form or simply list step-by-step how the activity will proceed from beginning to end. Finally, at the very end, please explain what is you hoped the students would gain / be able to do.
Short Quiz
:
While involving ≥ 1 source on each side of your issue, please design a quiz that you think average students would be able to complete in about 15 minutes. Ideally, you’ll have a variety of question types: short-answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, etc. In any case, please be sure you include the answers to your questions / prompts as well.
PART 3:
Easy Presentation
(to be discussed in the coming weeks)
FINAL ESSAY - RUBRIC
INTRO
:510152025
(bait / background / thesis)
BODY CONTENT
:1530456075
(analysis & involvement of both sides of issue / source use )
ORGANIZATION
:3691215
(deliberately sequenced ¶s / transitions)
CONCLUSION
: 510152025
(cohesion / so what? / now what?)
GRAMMAR, SPELLING, & STYLE
:46810
(proofread)
Eligible for Revision:
Yes / No = ________ /
150