I Am Somebody

-Lily Tomlin

We will be starting a new project this week called the "I Am Somebody" Project. You will work to support a solution for the problem you wrote your expository book about. This project will be an exercise in considering others and their needs, rather than our own. You will need to consider what cause will support the problem in your expository book, how you can support them, and how you can convince others to do the same.  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 requirements is worth five points* 

Introduction

• includes an attention-grabbing hook

• a brief summary of the problem using research from your expository book

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

• lists two different logical reasons 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 closing sentence that summarizes and brings the paragraph to a close

• 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 (10 points)

• 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. The requirements for your presentation are listed below: 

• Multi-media presentation includes an extensive variety (5-8 slides) 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.