Description

Grading:

–  CA will constitute 20% of your yearly overall grade.

– The research paper with the video will be worth 75% and the one-to-one interview will be worth 25%.

 

English Language Arts State Standards (MA)

• 11.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what a text states explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain
• 11.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text
• 11.1d Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task
• 11.3 Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
• 11.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, vocabulary, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience and a range of formal and informal tasks.
• 11.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
• 11.8 When conducting research, gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
• 11.9 Draw evidence form literary or informational texts to support written analysis, interpretation, reflection, and research, applying one or more grades 11-12 standards for Reading Literature or Reading Informational Text as needed.

 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Write a research paper related to the theme of Man and Nature
2. Examine and analyze a video related to the same theme
3. Present a response that argues the points in the video and give a personal opinion

 

Assignment

During the year, we’ve explored the theme of “Man and Nature” in a variety of ways through a variety of texts. Your capstone assignment is to use the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired to complete two tasks:

Task 1:

First, watch the video “I Am Mother Nature” and think about the relationship between Man and Nature:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM

Next, choose a topic of your choice related to theme to examine and research. The topic should be appealing to you and relevant to the requirements of the class. The genre of your essay can be analytical, informational (cause/effect or problem/solution), or argumentative.

The steps that you should follow include:

1. Choosing a research question
2. Preparing a research plan
3. Researching at least 3 resources of different types
4. Note-taking
5. Preparing an outline
6. Drafting
7. Preparing citations

The research paper should include:

1. A cover-page
2. An outline
3. The paper itself
4. Work Cited page (MLA format)

Format:

• Essay must be written in the MLA Style Format and must include in-text citations and a “Works Cited” page.
• The essay must not exclude 2 pages of the paper (excluding cover page, outline and Works Cited page)
• The essay must be written in the Times New Roman Font
• Font Size: 12
• Line spacing: double-spaced

You will be graded according to this rubric which is out of 50 points.

 

 

 

Rubric for the research paper:

 

Category	Unacceptable (below standards) 1-4	Acceptable (Meets standards) 5-6	Good (Occasionally exceeds standards) 7-8	Excellent (Exceeds standards) 9-10
Introduction	Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate theses statement.	Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General theses statement.	Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement.	Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s), terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement.
Focus and Sequencing	Little evidence material is logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic. Many transitions are unclear or nonexistent.	Most material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Material may not be organized within subtopics. Attempts to provide variety of transitions	All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic and logically organized within subtopics. Clear, varied transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.	All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Strong organization and integration of material within subtopics. Strong transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.
Support	Few sources supporting thesis. Sources insignificant or unsubstantiated	Sources generally acceptable but not peer-reviewed research (evidence) based.	Sources well selected to support thesis with some research in support of thesis.	Strong peer-reviewed research based support for thesis.
Conclusion	Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis statement. Does not discuss the impact of researched material on topic.	Review of key conclusions. Some integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic.	Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic.	Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Insightful discussion of impact of the researched material on topic.
Grammar and Mechanics	Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation substantially detract from the paper.	Very few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors interfere with reading the paper.	Grammatical errors, spelling and punctuation are rare and do not detract from the paper.	The paper is free of grammatical errors and spelling & punctuation.
Citations	Reference and citation errors detract significantly from paper.	Two references or citations missing or incorrectly written.	One reference or citations missing or incorrectly written.	All references and citations are correctly written and present.

 

Rubric for the response video:

Skill	4	3	2	1
Organization	Clearly and logically organized with sequences parts and engaging introduction	Attempting a clearly and logically organized with sequences parts and engaging introduction	Inconsistently  organized  with sequences parts and a little engaging introduction	A lack of organization and engaging introduction
Language	Uses sophisticated and advanced language and diction	Uses appropriate language and diction	Use language and diction that seems unsuited and unoriginal	Inappropriate language and ineffective diction
Delivery	Speaks with clarity and emphatic and paced voice	Attempting at speaking with clarity and paced voice	Inconsistency in speaking with clarity and paced voice	A lack of clarity in the speech and voice not paced
Overall effectiveness	Speaker constantly enthusiastic and purpose is fully achieved (5)	Speaker shows some enthusiasm and purpose is achieved (4)	Speaker shows limited enthusiasm and purpose is partially achieved (3)	Speaker lacks enthusiasm and purpose is not achieved (2)
Reasons	Highly effective reasons for the clear choice	Effective reasons for the  choice	Inconsistent use of reasons for the almost clear choice	Lack of effective reasons for the unclear choice
Appearance	Outstanding presentation and significant effectiveness	Good presentation done at a certain level of effectiveness	Acceptable presentation and limited effectiveness	Unacceptable presentation and lack of effectiveness

 

 

 

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