An AmAzINg and Helpful source!

www.easybib.com

Try it out- you insert the web address and the site actually creates the citation for you! (Sigh.). Where was this when I was a kid?

Final checklist for "I Am Somebody Project"

Paper: 100 points

• Last name and page number at the top of each page (including Works Cited page.)
• Citations in- text or in the body of your paper should be last name and page number.... If there is no page number, leave it blank... If there is no author, cite the title in parentheses.  
• The Works Cited Page should not be numbered; it's in alphabetical order.
• Your Works Cited page should be double spaced with a "hanging indent"
• 12 point, black times new roman font only- no borders, colors, pictures. Etc...
• Your papers should be three pages long (including the Works Cited) and you should have at least 5 sources on your works cited page.
• Don't list a source in your citation page UNLESS it is used in your paper.
• Your thesis and "Call to Action" should  be easy to pick out in your final paper.

I will be grading your MLA format rather strictly- so look at the examples I've given you on this site.

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Presentation: 100 points

• Your presentation should explain why we would want to help create this change in the world.
• You should persuade us that your team has a well thought-out plan for creating this change.
• Have specifics that encourage the audience to get involved.
• Be creative; be persuasive
• Spell check, edit, and practice your presentation before you present!

Good Luck! I'm excited to see what you've created!

Friday's Classwork

As students are finishing their projects at different times, we are ready to begin the transition to Civil Rights Literature and Quick Writes in regard to change.  In correlation with Mr. Minisman's History class studies, we will take what we know about "persuasion for change" and talk about "power in numbers."

Our seg-way literature is an exerpt taken from a famous novel "Black Boy" by Richard Wright.  This story has an over-riding theme of "tough love," which will be discussed in class.

Directions for students when you have completed the project:
1.) Read "About the Author"
2.) Read the Story
3.) Answer the "Reading Check" Questions
4.) Answer the "For Study and Discussion" Questions
We will study and discuss these answers in class next week :)


  

 

Reading Check:

 

1.) Why didn't the family have food at the beginning of the story?

2.) What job did the mother find?

3.) What did she send the boy to buy?

4.) Who took the boy's money?

5.) After the boy had been robbed twice, what did his mother do to motivate him to go back out?



 

Read your IDR book when finished :)

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION INFORMATION

Happy Monday-

I've had some questions in regards to the "I Am Somebody" Persuasive Research Project for Change.  The newsletter blurb had some people frightened that the assignment would be a "take home" or "homework" assignment for the students- but this is not the case.

To clear up- I have scheduled three weeks of "work days" for this assignment.  Students will continue to chip away at this project everyday in class (with my supervision and guidance) and should end up doing none of the assignment at home.  After all, for many, this is their first stab at MLA format (which can be a difficult concept to master).  Deadlines in the blurb for this week are simply guidelines for the students throughout the process.  The due date for this project is not actually until April 29th.  No worries! Encourage your student to work hard each day and they will accomplish a research project everyone can be proud of!

I hope this clears things up!  If you have questions or concerns ask your student and/or contact me :)
erin.gilchrist@trussvillecityschools.com
 

Need help with citing sources in your Works Cited page?

Try The Purdue Owl!  Having just finished my own 250 page research paper (a doctoral dissertation), I know just how useful this cite can be when it comes to formatting!

1.) MLA citation Basics
2.) How to cite a book
3.) How to cite an Internet source
4.) How to cite a periodical
5.) How to cite other common sources


ALSO feel free to use Son Of Citation Machine.  This source actually forms the citation for you.  Fill in all of the blanks and copy and paste it into your paper.  Simple & Easy.  Why re-invent the wheel?

MLA Style Research Paper

RULES FOR HANDWRITTEN PAPERS:

Keep in mind that these papers can absolutley be handwritten.  In this case, there is no need to double space between lines.  However, all others rules above apply. 

"I Am Somebody" Persuasive Project Requirements

Persuasive Research:

(100 points)

Students must write about "A NEED." Example: the need for shoes in third world countries. 

The paper should answer questions like
-Why should people care about this cause?
-How will money donated towards this problem help?
-Who will we help?
-How can we help?

*Research will be MLA format (with proper citations and a source page).  Time in class will be dedicated to writing and research (as a team of two).  This persuasive research paper should be at least two pages.  Each member of the group is responsible for one page of writing. (Can be handwritten or typed).

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Real World Change:

(100 points)

Using your creative strengths, talents, and persuasive tactics (learned from previous units), students will create a fundraiser for a group or organization...it's about creating an idea to promote change. 

*A multimedia component will be created describing the design of your fundraiser and or awareness project explaining how the project will go to benefit someone else and CHANGE THE WORLD.*  Keep things realistic, but don't be afraid to branch out and try something different.  The multimedia product can be powerpoint/slideshow/przi/video/moviemaker/or any other technology-related visual aid.

I CaN mAkE a ChAnGe!

This week in English class, we will conclude our unit on common mistakes in writing and begin a new unit titled “I Am Somebody.”  This unit will focus on using persuasive writing to make a difference (based on the quote by Lily Tomlin),

 

“I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that...and then I realized- I am somebody."

 

Students will work with a partner to research and write a persuasive essay encouraging others to take action against a problem they see in our school, our community, our country, or the world.  Partners will then create a multi-media presentation and present their essays as a speech to the class.  This unit will combine many of the skills we have learned throughout the year, and students will be assessed on their written essay, their multimedia presentation, and their public speaking.  The unit will conclude around the end of April.