Symposium

Annotated Bibliography assignment
Annotated Bibliographies
Please write an annotated bibliography that will equal 50% of your total grade for the Symposium. You must have a minimum of 5 sources and at least 2 sources must be from print texts which can be reference books, works of literature, etc. The annotations are to be 1 paragraph in length.
DefinitionsA bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, websites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic.
An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation.Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources.Summarize: Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is it this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?Why should I write an annotated bibliography?To learn about your topic: Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information.FormatThe bibliographic information: Generally, though, the bibliographic information of the source (the title, author, publisher, date, etc.) is written MLA format. For more help with formatting, see OWL's MLA handout at this location: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource.The annotations: The annotations for each source are written in paragraph form.
Good research websites: http://perso.univ-lyon2.fr/ and http://library.thinkquest.org/ http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-52739/vietnam http://www.fordham.edu/halsal/mod/modsbooks.html#india , http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu29me/uu29me03.htm
Posted by Ms. Grady at 2:23 AM 0 comments
Labels: this page is adapted from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Colonialism & Independence Symposium
This month, you will work in a group on a country selected from the list to analyze nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the movements that helped colonies become independent. You will share what you learn with your classmates in an academic "symposium" (a large meeting about a specific subject) about colonialism and independence. The Symposium will take place on May 27th and 28th.The countries you may choose from are:
South Africa
Afghanistan
Dominican Republic
Vietnam
Brazil
Each group will have to research the following questions about its chosen country and provide answers in your presentation at the Symposium:
1. How & when was country colonized? By whom? Why?

2. How was the country governed as a colony? Direct/indirect rule? Did the colonizers have indigenous collaborators? What was the impact of colonialism on the indigenous cultures and the environment of the colony? How did the native people resist colonial rule?

3. How and when did the country become independent? Was it a violent uprising, a peaceful process, or a combination? Who were the main figures in the independence movement?

4. How has the country fared since independence? Who have been the main leaders in the post-colonial era? What organizations or political parties have been influential? How do the leading economic indicators regarding health, education, the economy, sanitation, and political rights compare to other countries? What are the main successes and challenges in the country today? What are the lasting legacies of colonialism?Helpful websites for current statistics: http://who.int, http://un.org
Posted by Ms. Grady at 4:07 AM 0 comments
Labels: May assignment

Global Symposium in 9 Steps
Steps Due Dates
tep 1: Picking & Choosing May 6th & 7thForm a group of 3 or 4 classmates. Choose a country to investigate from the list of possible topics. Decide who will lead which sections of the team's presentation. Divide the primary and secondary sources each of you will read in class and at home.

Step 2: Become informed May 6th & 7thRead the primary and secondary sources in class and at home. Look for information about your presentation topic and information that will be useful for presentations. Mark up your sources. Take notes. Ask questions.

Step 3 Compile notes and annotated bibliography May 16thAfter Ms.Grady has approved your sources, write the first draft of your answers to the questions in your section and your annotated bibliography.

Step 4 Revise notes and complete annotated bibliography May 23rdReview the feedback from Ms.Grady. Revise the rough draft of notes. Type your notes. Revise the annotated bibliography. Turn in notes and annotated bibliography.

Step 5 What is the story? May 19thFigure out a way to tell your country's story that will be interesting to your audience. Do not kill us with boredom. Choose interesting images, graphs, short audio/video clips that will enhance your presentation (without becoming your presentation). Prepare your powerpoint if you plan to use one. Email notes to Ms.Grady

Step 6 Meet with Ms.Grady May 23rdDiscuss your ideas for your presentation. Let me know if you are stuck or are having issues within the group. Let me know about A/V equipment you will need.

Step 7 Practice May 23rdPractice the presentation. Give your team members constructive criticism about how their sections can improve and praise what is good. Practice enunciation, projection and eye contact. Ask yourselves: Does this story make sense? Is it interesting? Have we answered questions thoroughly? Do we have evidence to back up what we are saying?Step 8 Present! May 27thStep 9 Reflection May 30thReflect on your work and your classmates. Write about the bumps along the way and how you and the group handled them. What did you learn from the group and the presentation about colonialism and independence that surprised you? What do you want to know more about? What could your team have done differently/better? Fill out the group and self assessment rubrics and give them to Ms. Grady.
Posted by Ms. Grady at 3:55 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Research Paper

In a well-written paper of multiple drafts, write a persuasive essay defending a position on a current social issue. Include evidence from 3 sources, including good websites, literary works or non-fiction. Your essay must be 500 words or more not including the Works Cited page. All drafts are due April 9th.

Use this document to get started.

TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG THESIS
(Written by Jennifer Selvin, Gateway High School, San Francisco, CA)

1. A thesis should take a definite side. It shouldn’t be wishy-washy or vague.
Weak thesis: Gateway students are good at some things and bad at some things.
Strong thesis: As demonstrated by their negotiations with their teachers and administrators, Gateway students have powerful argumentation skills which they use to negotiate changes in the curriculum and classroom policies.

2. A thesis should not simply restate facts. A good thesis is one that someone could argue against.
Weak thesis: Gateway is located on Seventh Avenue in the Sunset District.
Strong thesis: While some students at Gateway dine daily at Burger King, Gateway’s location in the Sunset District offers students healthier eating options than those available to students at other high schools in San Francisco.

3. A thesis should center around one main idea. Decide on one topic and support it well rather than presenting two separate ideas.
Weak thesis: The music class at Gateway should perform in a Golden Gate Park drum circle and students should be able to park their cars in the school parking lot.
Strong thesis: Although some students may feel shy about performing in public, Gateway music students should hold a drum circle in Golden Gate Park to show off their talents and musical training.

4. A thesis should be specific. Narrow broad thesis statements to focus on a particular issue or problem.
Weak thesis: Teenagers have a lot of problems.
Strong thesis: Many teenagers have difficulty establishing their independence because, although they are approaching emotional and physical maturity, they remain financially dependent on their parents.

5. A thesis should be clear. The reader should be able to accurately understand the author’s intent by reading the thesis.
Weak thesis: The students at this school have creative cerebrums that, when applied to activities with guidance from an artiste, manifest great and colorful products, that sometimes are paper mache and sometimes are TV shows.
Strong thesis: Gateway students have creative talents which, with the guidance of an experienced teacher, allow them to produce high quality artwork in a variety of media.
THESIS STARTERS:
Although (insert opposing argument), …
While (insert opposing argument),…
As evidenced by (insert evidence)…
As demonstrated by (insert evidence)…
As shown by (insert evidence)…
Because (insert reason)…..



THESIS LINKERS:
...shows that…
…demonstrates that…
…proves that…
….reveals that…
…represents…
…illustrates…
….parallels…. (develops in a similar direction or way like parallel lines)