Research Assignment Sheet
Assignment SheetJunior Research Project
The Assignment: Write a research paper that compares and contrasts the story presented in a movie to real life events.
How to Begin:
This assignment asks you to choose a movie that is based on a true story and determine what in the story is true and what is not. In order to do that you will watch the film and develop inquiry questions that will direct your research. Consider these things:
Are there events in the movie that you wonder about? Did that happen or did it happen that way?
Are there people in the film that you would like to know more about?
Are the people portrayed accurately?
Are the people or events portrayed according to social history or historical fact?
What is the difference?
We are going to watch the film Hotel Rwanda and as a class compile a list of inquiry questions. If you are unsure what kinds of questions to ask do not get nervous. We will spend the rest of the week working on them.
The piece of writing that you are about to create will when finished be five to seven pages. It will conform to MLA style using 12 size and Times New Roman Font.
On January 22 we will be in the library on that day the librarian and I will be helping you to form and narrow your inquiry questions by looking at reference materials. Looking at basic overviews of the people/events involved should give you an idea of what is presented truthfully and what is not. When you determine what you want to research we will be using databases to do most of the research.
When you come to the library on January 22 you must have viewed your movie RECENTLY and be familiar with it. Come with at least five questions that can get you started.
On January 26th you must have at least ten sources. I will be giving you points for having those sources. They must be relevant to the topic and you must have a copy that you can turn in. If any of your sources are books bring them with you to show me.
While doing the research for this project you may not use google searches. We will talk about the difference in the web you are accustomed to using everyday and web2. We have access to great resources we do not need to use sources that are questionable. If you feel you must use a .gov or .mil I will discuss that with you on an individual basis. What a google search may help you with is give you a lot of information quick in order to figure out what it is you want to research.
What the Grade is Based On
1. Paper meets MLA requirements
Heading is done correctly
Type is 12 TNR
Margins are 1”
Paper has a Title
Pages are numbered
Double Spaced
2. Paper in between 5 and 7 pages
3. Student has at least 10 sources
Only 3 of those may be reference materials either in book form or electronic.
At least five of those resources will be from periodicals obtained from the electronic database.
4. Student has an introduction
The introduction is interesting/ pulling the reader in
The introduction includes a thesis statement.
The introduction is an appropriate length for the length of the paper.
5. Students provide an example of at least one person/event that the film maker presents truthfully. (Keep in mind that when comparing the presentation does not have to be exact but similar)
6. Student provides at least two examples of people/events that the film maker does not present truthfully.
7. Student not only states what the film maker did but provides a rational as to why the film maker may have made those choices or why they should have made different choices.
8. The paper has a conclusion that not only sums up what is presented in the paper but goes one step farther.
The student could provide a vision of the story that should have been told or a commentary on why the story was told they way it was. If the student considers an event that has several theories the student may take this opportunity to express what they believe to be the truth. A conclusion should bring all of our material together and synthesize it in a way that adds something to our paper. Remember it is called a conclusion (as in draw a conclusion) not a summary.
9. The Works Cited Sheet is present and done to conform to MLA Standards
10. Student turned in a complete draft on Friday February 2nd.
11. Student participated in peer response activity.
12. Student turned in a complete 2nd draft on February 9th that includes any previous drafts.
13. Student participated in the Writing Workshop on February 12th.
14. Student used techniques learned at the writing fair to develop a final draft.
The final draft is due February 15th and MUST include all previous drafts.
15. Writing Quality
There are few grammatical, spelling, and punctuation mistakes in paper.
Student uses sentence variety. (varied structure, length etc.)
Student does not use repetition of words or phrases that is not purposeful.
Dates and Point Values to Keep in mind
5 Questions January 22nd (5 points)
January 26th bring ten sources to class (10 points)
1st Draft due Feb 2nd (20 points)
Participation in Peer Response (20 points)
2nd Draft due Feb. 9th (20 Points)
Writing Fair Feb. 12th (20 points)
Everything Due February 15th
Order in which to turn in: (5 points)
On Bottom—Peer response sheets
Next 1st draft
Then 2nd Draft
On Top the Final Draft
Notes: If you are absent the day something is due bring it with you the next day you are at school.
If you turn in an incomplete draft (missing work cited, not long enough, not typed, too many errors etc.) points will be deducted.
If you turn in a draft that does not include the subsequent drafts points will be deducted.
YOU MUST HAVE A WAY TO SAVE YOUR SOURCES AND WORK. I RECOMMEND A JUMP DRIVE THEY ARE THE EASIEST AND MOST RELIABLE FORM.
From January 22nd until February 15th you should have your materials and your digital recording device with you. If on any day you do not have those things with you I will deduct 2 points from the final 100 points. We are devoting a huge amount of class time to this project I expect you to work.
Grading Rubric for Final Paper
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Requirements
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