"I Am Somebody" Project

-Lily Tomlin

We will be starting a new project this week called the "I Am Somebody" Project. You will need to find a cause, project, idea, or movement that you want to support to help change the world for the better. This project will be an exercise in considering others and their needs, rather than our own. This will be a continuation of the persuasive writing unit. In the last writing assignment, you used persuasion to convince your parents of something that you needed. This project will allow you to use persuasion to convince others to support a cause in which you believe whole heartedly. You will need to consider what cause to support, how you can support them, and how you can convince others to do the same.We will be doing extensive research, so try to find a cause that truly inspires you.  You will be working with a partner throughout this project. We will complete all requirements in class together over the next few weeks. There will be a research/writing assignment as well as a multi-media presentation. The requirements for both are below:

 

 

Written Essay 

*Each of the following bulleted requirements is worth five points*

 

 

Introduction

·         includes an attention-grabbing hook

·         includes a thesis that clearly states the topic and the author’s opinion of the topic

·         lists two different logical points that support the thesis

 

Body Paragraph (each person in a partnership/group is responsible for writing one body paragraph)

·         focuses on a single point

·         each point is logical and clearly supports the thesis

·         includes a clear topic sentence (introducing the point)

·         includes at least three supporting detail sentences

·         includes at least two outside facts or examples within the supporting details that clearly support each reason

·         includes a clincher that summarizes and brings the paragraph to a close

·         includes a parenthetical citation at the end of each outside fact

·         lists reasons (one per paragraph) in the same order as the introduction

 

Conclusion 

·         restates the thesis

·         relists reasons

·         gives a clear call to action

Works Cited 

·         contains at least three credible outside sources

·         correctly formatted (correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

Vocabulary

·         maintains a formal style (not conversational, avoids talking to the reader or about the essay, etc.)

·         essay does not use the following: I, you, my, us, we, our, your, mine, yours, ours

Transitions

·         uses transitions appropriately between sentences and paragraphs to clarify the relationships between ideas

Conventions

·         contains no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or word usage

 

 

Multi-Media Presentation 

 

This is your chance to show your creativity and “sell” your cause!  Design a multi-media presentation (including images, graphics, music, etc.) that clarifies the information in your speech and compels your audience to take action.

 

Format Choices (If you have other ideas, ask Mrs. Oliveira).  

·         slideshow

·         video

·         PowerPoint

·         Prezi

 

Grading

*Each of the following bulleted requirements is worth ten points.*

·         Multi-media presentation includes an extensive variety (8 minimum) of images and/or other graphics (charts, graphs, maps, etc.) that clarify the information included in your essay.

OPTIONAL: Include music/sound that appropriately enhances the effect.

·         Multi-media presentation includes persuasive sentences to compel your audience to support your cause (could include facts/statistics, questions, etc.).

·         Multi-media presentation includes a credits page citing web addresses for images and other graphics found online.

·         Speaker pronounces words clearly.

·         Speaker makes eye contact with audience throughout the presentation.

·         Speaker projects voice loudly enough to be heard.

·         Speaker uses pauses effectively (doesn’t rush).

·         Speaker demonstrates understanding of the topic (pronounces words correctly, explains ideas accurately, is able to answer basic questions).

·         Speaker appears well-rehearsed (presentation flows smoothly, speaker doesn’t stumble over words or forget parts to presentation, etc.)

·         Listener pays close attention to each presentation and does nothing to distract other audience members.