Quarter 1: The Urban Setting
Pretend you are a professional author preparing to publish a novel or short story. The final draft of your novel is due soon, but you have recently conducted some research that you believe will benefit your novel and would like to ask for an extension to incorporate the research about a particular urban setting element into the novel. (subway, skyscraper, taxi, etc.) In a one to two page letter to your publisher, explain how and where in the plot you are going to incorporate your research of the element within your novel/short story and why you should be granted the extension.
Whole Class Peer Edit: Letter To The Publisher
Quarter 3: Characters In History
You are a historian hired by Brown University as part of a study designed to assess the accuracy of information in historical fiction novels and short stories. Your job is to pick one or more of the following roles in medieval society: either the female, the knight, the apprentice, or the lord, and assess how accurately or inaccurately 2-3 historical fiction texts portray the chosen role(s). You will write a multi-paragraph report of your findings to present to the Dean of History at Brown University.
Need Some Guidance?: Writing Organization For End of Unit Common Task
Quarter 2: Technology In Society
The state is threatening to shut down a local institute of technology. There will be a public forum in which you will be given the opportunity to voice your opinions and/or concerns on this issue. Using a multitude of given articles, videos, and student presentations, write a multi-paragraph argumentative speech in which you take a stance supporting or opposing the state’s decision. Your speech should address the following question: Do technological advancements have a positive or negative impact on society?
Quarter 4: Literature & Poetry
Throughout this unit we have read different texts about people who have chosen to contribute to society in a positive way. The end of unit common task is to plan a fundraising event and develop a proposal and presentation to give to businesses or possible donors. The proposal should be 1-2 pages and the presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes and include a visual component.