WJHS Pathfinder for English
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What am I supposed to do?
Why are certain texts provocative or controversial, raising
issues that invite further exploration? What are the controversial issues raised
by the texts, and how can they best be explored? The research paper provides
an opportunity for you to investigate an issue raised by the text you are reading
that continues to be controversial and interesting to you. After discussing
topics related to the text and considering how to transform them into researchable
issues, either select one of the issues on the Researchable Issues resource
or develop your own question about a researchable issue. Over the next several
weeks, you will research the issue, synthesize information, and write a research
paper that presents the complexities of the issue. View the prompt
here.
First, fill out the proposal
sheet. We will discuss these issues with each other using the Critique
of Proposal sheet.
Students will need to create 20 notes from 5 different sources. These notes
should address both sides of the controversial issue you chose. Use the Suggested
Resources as well as print resources. In Microsoft Word, create a table
with 2 columns and 20 rows. You will cut and paste or write your notes into
the left column. On the right column, you will write your works cited information
for each note. Make sure you follow the MLA
format and look at the Works
cited examples.
After gathering 20 notes minimum, you will use the Graphic Organizer and Research Paper Format to begin organizing your paper.
After identifying and researching a controversial issue related
to an idea or theme in the text, write a research paper exploring the complexities
of the issue and accurately documenting the resources used in the paper. Make
sure you look at the rubric and the Research
Paper Example to help guide your writing. We will also complete a peer
review of our first drafts. Your project due
dates will be decided in class.
| Health education in public
schools: Abstinence counseling or birth control demonstrations? |
Demise of English language
from IM’ing and shortening of words (like Newspeak) |
Secret prisons in Europe
for enemies of the U.S. |
| Patriot Act |
Role of the press in “managing”
news |
Guantanomo Bay: Lawful detention? |
| McCarthy hearings, un-American behavior |
Bush administration paying journalists
to promote policies |
Wiretapping |
| Racial profiling |
War on “terror”: Terrorism
as an enemy that is not one country, Osama and Saddam are the symbolic
faces of the enemy. |
Cameras in public spaces (streets
and towns) |
| Airport security |
Red light cameras, speed cameras |
Political Correctness |
| Political prisoner detention/Guantanamo
Bay/extraordinary rendition |
Surveillance in schools, stores, cities |
Drone patrols of illegal immigrants
for the U.S./Mexico border |
| Welfare reform |
Torture of prisoners |
Abstinence education funding from
Bush administration |
| Rights of immigrants (driver’s license, voting, etc.) |
Reality TV |
GPS tracking on cell phones |
| Sensors in your car to monitor your registration renewal |
Nanny-cams |
Safety cameras mounted in cars for
your employer or parent to monitor |
OR Try typing in keywords that would relate to Orwell's
1984.
What are the possible sources of information I can use?
ONLINE REFERENCES– INTERNET SITES
Location and Access
Where will I find these sources?
Find information in encyclopedias, biographies, newspapers, personal interviews, and the Internet. The Library Media Center and other libraries.
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ONLINE RESOURCES:
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Internet
Sites
Use of Information
How will I record the information?
How will I evaluate the information?
Fill out Proposal Sheet
Gather at least 20 notes from 5 different reference sources
Create graphic organizer and research paper format
Write Research Paper
Informative and Persuasive Speech
Final copy of the paper (3-5 pages, typed)
Credit sources: Cite or quote sources in your paper using correct bibliographic citations(for tips see Works Cited Format).
Evaluation
Finished assignment fulfills task.
- Information found matches information needed?
- How well did my paper turn out?
- Did I revise with a critical eye?
- Sources are credited.
- Was I happy with my process of finding and using information?
- Work is complete and includes name and date.
- Work is handed in on time.
- How would I do a similar project in the future?