Multi-Media Research Project Objectives 350 Final Assessment Points Research information about a British author. Cultivate and practice 21 st century information literacy skills in finding, accessing, and evaluating information. Design creative interpretations through multiple genres, including media, to represent learning. Incorporate elements of MLA style writing and documentation. Utilize resources to create an MLA Works Cited page and parenthetical citations: The Owl at Purdue, Diana Hacker s A Writer s Reference and/or Son of a Citation Machine. Compile all research in a single means of publishing, incorporating multi-media and traditional forms of research. You may choose to use Google Sites for this. You can also put all multi-media on a CD/DVD or in a binder. Whatever fits your purpose. Demonstrate the ability to embed images, hyperlinks, audio, video, etc. in order to create a multi-genre, multi-media experience. Requirements for Multi-Genre Project Main page with a Dear Reader letter 30 points Table of Contents OR Navigation Bar publishing through Google Sites 30 points Traditional Research Essay 100 points (In Turnitin.com) Four (4) Multi-Media (Genre) Elements or Artifacts 80 points Multi-Media (Genre) Notes Page 30 points MLA Annotated Works Cited Page with Required Number of Sources 40 points Self-Reflections/Self-Assessment 20 points Overall Impression of Time, Creativity, and Topic 20 points DUE DATE: December 15 Use your time wisely.
British Authors You will need to pick a British author, living or deceased, and research his or her life and work. If your author is deceased, show how he or she is still relevant today; if your author is living, show how he or she borrows from previous British authors to continue the Brit Lit legacy. If you don t see your author on the list, ask. Any British author is acceptable. Jane Austen Emily Brontë William Blake Charlotte Brontë Elizabeth Barrett Browning Robert Browning Robert Burns George Gordon, Lord Byron Lewis Carroll Geoffrey Chaucer Samuel Taylor Coleridge Agatha Christie Roald Dahl Charles Dickens John Donne Sir Arthur Conan Doyle George Elliot Ken Follett Neil Gaiman Thomas Hardy Seamus Heaney Aldous Huxley Samuel Johnson Diana Wynne Jones Ben Jonson James Joyce John Keats Rudyard Kipling D. H. Lawrence C. S. Lewis Sir Thomas Malory Alan Moore George Orwell Samuel Pepys Alexander Pope Terry Pratchett Philip Pullman Dante Gabriel Rossetti J. K. Rowling Sir Walter Scott William Shakespeare Mary Shelley Percy Bysshe Shelley Edmund Spenser Robert Louis Stevenson Jonathan Swift Alfred, Lord Tennyson Dylan Thomas J. R. R. Tolkien Oscar Wilde Virginia Woolf William Wordsworth William Butler Yeats
Traditional Research Essay Elements 100 points, in Turnitin.com Requirements Formulate an essential question to guide your entire project. Formulate a thesis statement answering your essential question. Formulate guiding questions to direct your research. Use MLA format for parenthetical documentation and Works Cited page. You must document any borrowed images, artwork, etc. You must have an introduction, 3 points, and a conclusion this does NOT have to be 5 paragraphs. Integrate all information within your own writing and document parenthetically. Use 5 or more credible resources (books, database articles, newspapers, magazines, credible websites). Provide links to online sources. Turn your formal essay into your Turnitin.com account. Suggestions Use Wikipedia as a search engine NOT a source. General references are not acceptable in this paper (i.e. Encyclopedia, Dictionary). Use CREDIBLE websites, not joeshmothinks websites. You may choose to give headings to the various parts of your essay, which is fine. ALL Parts of your project will Address, Prove, Relate to your Essential Question and Thesis Statement. Remember! Your Thesis Statement answers your essential question. Sample Essential Questions:
Multi-Genre/Multi-Media Artifact Ideas In addition to a traditionally researched essay, you will also create artifacts in four (4) other genres that express your learning about your chosen author and answer your essential question(s). If you have other suggestions than the ones listed below, please feel free to ask. These are only examples. Think outside of the box. Make your project as diverse and interesting as possible! Journalism Newspaper Article Obituary Editorial Letter to the Editor Advice Column Magazine Article Informational Interview (magazine or television) Trivia Game Timeline app. or written (plot or author s life) Doctor s Report How-to Manual or Video Tutorial Interactive Quiz or Poll Playlist (don t post copyrighted music) Visual with Words Ad Cartoon Character Trading Cards Wanted Poster Movie Poster Creative Writing Play or Scene (Written or Acted) Song (Written or Video) Poem Short Story/Film Diary Entry for character/author Verbal Collage (Wordle or Tagxedo) Court Documents (if character/author on trial) Visual Display Artwork Glogster (collage) Google Map Virtual Museum Digital and Web Photo Story Video (imovie or MovieMaker) Video Thread Podcast/Audio Animoto Movie Trailer
Time Management Chart Multi-Media/Multi-Genre Project (Use this tool to manage your time and complete the different parts of your project.) Task Date I Plan to Complete Date Completed Main Page/ Dear Reader Letter Traditional Research Essay Artifact 1 Artifact 2 Artifact 3 Artifact 4 Multi-Genre/Multi-Media Notes Page Self-Reflection/Self- Assessment MLA Works Cited Page ADVICE: Complete a Works Cited page as you work; this will make completion easier.
Project Helper for Preparing the Notes Page You must include a Notes page that briefly explains the ideas and thought process behind each learning/literacy artifact in your project. Use the organizer to formulate the final page. Each artifact should have a 4-5 sentence explanation, showing how your knowledge was gained through research. DO NOT HAND IN THIS EXACT PAGE!! Make your own. Artifact Number 1 Explanation of the Artifact this should be a paragraph. 2 3 4
Guidelines for Dear Reader Letter Your Dear Reader letter will be one of the last activities you complete; although, it will be on your main or first page, whether you hand in a binder or make a Google Site. This letter is an introduction for your reader and will help guide them with information. The letter will also discuss your process with the assignment, including challenges and important learning. Your letter should be a personal letter with a salutation addressed to Dear Reader. Your letter should be a minimum of six (6) paragraphs, one answering each of the questions below. 1. Why did I choose this topic and why is it important to me? 2. What did I know about the topic (prior knowledge) before I researched? 3. What were my research questions? 4. What resources did I use to find my information? 5. What did I learn about my topic through research? 6. How does my research make a difference to me? Others? You must include a closing. Example: Sincerely, Mrs. Jestice s Brilliant Student
Dear Reader, Sample Dear Reader Letter Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. I chose to create my multi-genre research project on Jane Austen because I find it fascinating that an author who was popular in her own time has managed to remain popular for over 200 years, despite all the changes in society and culture. On a more personal note, Jane Austen is my literary comfort food. When I read her novels, I know that I will meet interesting characters; I will laugh and perhaps even cry, and I will close the book after reading a happy ending. Before I began researching this topic, I knew a great deal about Jane Austen because I have been a fan of her novels for about thirteen years, and I read several Jane Austen publications, mostly personal blogs created by other fans. I also had read all six of Austen's novels as well as some Austen-inspired books. What I did not realize was how much influence the 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice had on Austen's current infiltration of popular culture. I was curious to learn why Jane Austen is so popular in our current culture. What is it about her novels that inspires such a devoted following? Why do novels written 200 years ago still speak to us today? What would Jane Austen make of her popularity, especially given that she published all of her books anonymously and made very little money for her writing in her own lifetime? In order to answer these questions, I used both print and non-print resources, including online newspapers and literary criticism, researching Jane Austen's influence both in her own time and in ours. I also researched multimedia, including images and videos that conveyed our current fascination with Austen's work. These resources can be found on my Works Cited page. Through my research, I have learned that Austen's popularity has not always been what it is today. For example, her work was not taken seriously by literary critics until over 100 years after her death, and in her own day, her novels were viewed as little more than entertaining fluff by the literary establishment. I was most interested to discover that even as late as 1993, literary critics were dismissive of Austen's influence on contemporary writers. I also learned how Austen's novels influenced the development of the novel as a serious form of literature. This research has changed how I view Jane Austen. I am used to thinking of her work as classic literature, always a part of some agreed-upon literary canon. To learn that Austen's work has only lately been well regarded or deemed worthy of serious literary investigation was a revelation. In addition, it speaks to the difficulty women have historically had in competing in male-dominated industries, such as writing. I have developed a deeper appreciation for Austen than I already had, and it is my hope that in reading my research, you will also learn more about Austen and perhaps even be inspired to read her works.
The genres I have chosen for my research project include reviews of Jane Austen's six novels and some Austen-themed books and movies I have read or watched. I have also included a multimedia research article about Jane Austen's influence in popular culture today. I think Austen would be surprised by her success, and because she wrote so often to her sister, Cassandra, I researched some letters written to her sister and composed a letter in which Jane describes how she felt upon seeing into the future and discovering her popularity in the 21st century. My third artifact is a collage of images displaying Austen's influence in contemporary culture, including images from film and fan-created objects. Finally, my fourth artifact is a collection of Austen heroine trading cards, constructed using images from popular Jane Austen films and photo-editing software called Gimp. I hope you will enjoy learning about Aunt Jane as much as I did. Sincerely, Mrs. Huff
Writing a Self-Reflection/Self-Assessment Write a self-reflection/self-assessment to explain how you feel about your work. Use these questions to help you write at least one full page. Examine the rubric; how well have you satisfied the requirements? Going beyond the rubric, of what are you particularly proud? What were your biggest challenges and/or frustrations? How well did you manage your time? How much work was required outside of class? What was surprising or interesting about your topic? What were your best sources of information? How is this research project different from one you have done in the past?
Making a Google Site (This is new territory for me too, so we ll be learning together!) 1. Create a gmail account if you don t already have one. 2. Log into your account and click on the waffle. Choose Sites and click. 3. Click the button that says, Create. Give your site a good name you can t change it later, so make it one that describes your project. 4. Choose a template by clicking select a theme. 5. Under More Options, you can tag your site with categories and provide a description. 6. Your main page will later begin with your Dear Reader letter and any other information that you think your introduction page should have. Write someplace holder text in the beginning to prepare the page. 7. Create new pages by clicking the Create button. Make eight additional pages: Title them something more exciting than Artifact One boring. 8. You can edit pages by turning them into the rough draft assignments on Turnitin.com. 9. Questions? Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_playlists&search_query=google+sites&uni =1 Example: https://sites.google.com/a/weberschool.org/jane-austen/ 10. Please ask for help if you need it. 11. Draft everything you write in Microsoft Word and keep it on a flash drive for back up.
Checklist: Requirements for Multi-Media (Genre) Project Complete the checklist to keep track of your work. Main Page, including Dear Reader letter (write this last) Table of Contents or Navigation Bar for Google Sites (create as you make pages) Traditional Research Essay (see requirements) Four Multi-Media (genre) elements or artifacts Multi-Media (genre) Notes page Self-Reflection/Self-Assessment Works Cited page Save your work often. You will have a minimum of nine pages.
1. Who is your author? Why? Where Do I Begin? 2. What is your primary topic concerning this author? 3. In what areas will you research the author s influence? 4. What do you hope to accomplish through learning about this author/topic? How do you think it will help you in a meaningful way? 5. What do you already know about this author/topic (prior knowledge)? 6. What questions do you want to answer through your research? 7. What information sources do you think you will need to use or need as of right now?
Project Contract (25 points DUE 9/18) Author: Novel Focus: Essential Question? (Guides ALL research. Example: How does Jane Austen contribute to British literature as a whole and to the world?) Guiding Questions I want to answer with my research. These are more specific questions beginning with why and how to direct your research. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The purpose of my project is to Inform Persuade I understand that my completed research project is due December 15, 2017. I understand that most of my work will be done outside of class and that I will need to use my time wisely. I understand that all work should be done on my own and that plagiarism will result in 0 (zero) credit. I understand that I must meet all project requirements to achieve a successful learning experience and a satisfactory evaluation on the project. Student s Signature and Date
Name: Overall Grade Multi-Media (Genre) Research Project Rubric Research Paper Criteria Criterion 1: Organization Project is published through various means and organized with a Table of Contents OR as a Google Site with a sidebar that is easy to navigate. Work is neat and attractive. Each element of the project is properly labeled and identified as directed. Criterion 2: Dear Reader Letter Letter is at least 6 paragraphs and follows guidelines. Letter reflects depth and detail, showing that the student has invested in the reflection process, the research process, and the learning/interpretation process of this project. Points Possible Criterion 3: Traditional Research Essay attached Turnitin.com rubric. 100 Criterion 4-7: Multi-Media (Genre) Product/Learning Artifacts 1-4 Artifact/Product is properly and appropriately labeled in Table of Contents or 1-20 Navigation Bar Artifact/Product addresses, proves, or relates to the Essential Question. Artifact/Product makes an effective statement about the student s topic. 2-20 Artifact/Product shows effort, thought, planning, detail, creativity, and originality. 3-20 Artifact/Product makes the reader want to learn more about the writer/topic. Artifact/Product is relevant to research. Artifact/Product shows evidence of editing and is free if writing convention 4-20 errors. Criterion 8: Multi-Media (Genre) Notes Page 30 Each artifact or product is fully explained, following the guidelines (4-5 sentences). Criterion 9: Traditional Research Essay and Multi-Media Project MLA Annotated Works Cited Page 40 Student used at least 5 reliable sources. Each source is used at least once in the research essay. Each source is cited correctly in MLA style. Criterion 10: Self-Reflection/Self-Assessment Reflections show careful and thoughtful self-reflection and demonstrate and/or identify 20 key learning gained from the assignment. Criterion 11: Overall Impression Student s project shows investment of time in topic and research and demonstrates growth as a learner and researcher. Student shows topic is valid and worthy of the reader s attention. TOTALS 350 30 30 20 Points Earned Comments:
Project DUE Dates DUE September 18 Project Contracts DUE October 16 Thesis Statement DUE November 6 Rough Draft #1 (Intro graded) DUE November 14 Multi-Media (Genre) Check Point DUE November 29 Rough Draft #2 DUE December 15 Multi-Media (Genre) Projects