SENIOR RESEARCH

Research 2013-2014

Goal: To seek out multiple sources and to research a narrowly focused topic related to the Vietnam War and era and to present findings in a creative, multi-media project.

Requirements:

  • A clear thesis which states an arguable idea that must be proven with evidence
  • At least five sources explored and annotated. The quality of sources is very important. Try to mix it up... look at a variety of types of sources: reference books (print source); primary sources -- (first hand account, diary, letter, news story, etc); articles from an online database (MARVEL/Artemis), etc.
  • Annotated Bibliography which evaluates and responds to sources
  • Reflective Writing that discusses the research process and progress
  • Written report on one aspect of research
  • Minimum of four sources cited in project
  • Graded elements:
    • proposal and rationale x.5
    • annotated bibliography x2
    • source notes (2) x1 each
    • reflection check-in -- “progress report” on research thus far x1
    • Brief written report on one aspect of your research, which must include quoted support, citations, and a works cited (3 pages) x2
    • project story boards x1
    • Final project x4
    • Question and answer/discussion with audience x.5
  1. Proposal and Rationale: How is this connected to your reading of The Things They Carried and the Vietnam War? Why this topic? Why this particular angle on the topic? What do you know and what do you want to learn? How have you narrowed your topic?
  2. Annotated Bibliography: For each source read (5 minimum) write a 200-400 word explanation (“abstract”) and evaluation of the source. Give full bibliographic information on the source (MLA Format). Say what the validity of the source is, what it discusses, and what its usability level is in your project
  3. Source Notes: Must include full source citation, bolded, at the top, and consist of information culled from sources, put in quotation marks, page numbers (if applicable) indicated, and source name in parentheses following each quote. Each set of source notes must be 3-4 pages in length
  4. Reflection Check-in: Written at the half-way point in the research process. The reflection will be a “dialogue” about what you have discovered thus far, what you have learned, roadblocks you have encountered, information you still need, questions you have, and progress you have made toward your project
  5. Written Report of One Aspect of Research: In this short (750-1200-word essay), you will write about one part of your research (one subtopic) that you are proving. (For example, if you were writing about Vietnam War protests, and one of your supporting points was that music was used as a form of protest, you might write this essay on a certain band’s music and lyrics and how they fueled the protest movement). Your short essay would be complete with a strong topic sentence (thesis), cited material that supports your ideas, as well as a works cited page.
  6. Story Boards: Once information is gathered, you will create “story boards” that lay out what your project will consist of and that will create the framework for your project. This will be the equivalent to an outline in a traditional research paper and will show the inherent structure (intro, “body,” conclusion) -- as well as what images and central ideas you will explore where
  7. Final Project: -- Your goal will be to present your findings in the most interesting, creative way possible. You have a great deal of leeway in the final project, but it must consist of words, images, and sound, and it must be “publishable” -- that is, without you present to talk your way through it, it must “speak on its own.” Consider that carefully. That means that if you chose to write the diary or letters of a soldier (very much based on fact you have researched), you would need to either create a slide show of text entries accompanied by music and images or to record the entries, accompanied by images and text. You could choose to create a “mini documentary” about the subject or a PSA about the hazards of Agent Orange or an informational slide show for middle schoolers, etc. Your project must be presented to the class on a set date. No late projects
  8. Q & A and discussion: Answer questions from your audience. Show your complete knowledge on the subject. Explain why this project and what you learned both through the process and about the subject.

TIMELINE (subject to change):

Wednesday, March 26: Begin exploring topics for research

Tuesday, April 1: Library to explore topics

Thursday, April 3: Questioning and narrowing; submit proposal and rationale at end of period; begin work on source annotation

Monday, April 7: Work Time -- Sources -- Annotation of 2 Sources due

Wednesday, April 9: Source Notes #1 Due at end of period

Friday, April 11: Work on 3 Source Annotations (due Tuesday)

Tuesday, April 15: Source Notes #2 Due at end of period

Thursday, April 17: Reflection Check-in due; Begin work on Story Boards

Tuesday, April 29: Work Time -- Story Boards and Written Report

Thursday, May 1: Work Time -- Story Boards and Written Report

Monday, May 5: Story Boards Due -- Work Time for Written Report and Project

Wednesday, May 7: Written report of one aspect of research due

Friday, May 9: Work on Project -- put together

Tuesday, May 13: Finalize and test project presentation

Thursday, May 15: Final Projects Presented