Research Process

Directions to Students

 Background

Task and Product

Your task will be to study a particular time period in depth together with a small group of your classmates. Your group will become specialists in this time period and will then present your findings to the class in an informative and creative way. Your teacher will assign one of the following time periods for your group:

• Colonial America (1600 - 1760)
• The New Nation (1760 - 1800)
• American Individualism (1800 - 1860)
• A Divided America (1840 - 1890)
• A Changing America (1890 - 1914)
• A Modern America (1915 - present)

After completing your research, you will plan a presentation for the class to inform them about the time period. Your presentation should be enhanced using one or more of the following products:

• pamphlet
• VoiceThread (web 2.0)
• poster
• multimedia presentation (e.g. PowerPoint)
• Wiki web page (web 2.0)
• video
• newspaper or magazine
• skit
• podcast or vodcast (web 2.0)
• other products as approved by your teacher

Assessments

You will be graded on your group participation, your enhancement product, and your presentation. The following scoring tools may be used or may be adapted by your teacher.

• Group Participation    
  • Group Work  HTML form   Word Document
    
• Presentation
  • Oral Report with Visuals HTML form  Word Document
  • Pamphlet  HTML form    Word Document
  • Poster   HTML form        Word Document
  • Multimedia Presentation (ex. PowerPoint)  HTML form     Word Document
  • Web page  HTML form  Word Document
  • Video        HTML form   Word Document
  • Newspaper or magazine
  • Web 2.0
  • Skit
  • Other products as approved by your teacher

Question

Essential Question:

In conducting your research, consider questions such as the following:

• What was unique about this time period?
• What were some of the major political, social, economic, and cultural events and/or trends of this time period?
• What were the major achievements in the U. S. during this time period?
• Who were some of the prominent international figures of the times and what was their importance?
• Who were some of the prominent American writers and how did their work reflect the times in which they wrote?
• What types of writing, i.e. genres were predominant during this period?  Why?
• What major literary movements developed during this time period? Why?
• What themes were predominant in the writings of the time?
  

Gather and Sort

Sort your findings using note cards, a graphic organizer, or a note-taking format suggested by your teacher. Click here for suggestions for note-taking using note cards. Click here for possible ideas for a graphic organizer format for your notes.

Remember to cite your references. Check the MLA guidelines and examples for citing resources.

EasyBib Citation Machine

To avoid plagiarism, properly paraphrase and quote when taking notes.

Use this link to help you to avoid plagiarism. (print document)

Avoiding Plagiarism Video (Safari Montage)

Organize

Analyze your research notes to determine if you have answered  the essential question.

Synthesize your findings by creating a first draft of your product.

• What new insights have emerged about your topics? Which facts are the most compelling and would have the greatest impact on your audience?
• Which facts are unnecessary or repetitive and therefore should be left out?

Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task using the following questions:

• Have you gathered sufficient details about your topic? Are your details organized in the right categories or sub-topics to make sense for your audience?
• Are you ready to create your product?

Conclusion

Presentation

Plan your presentation with the other members of your group. Keep in mind that your presentation should include an oral portion as well as the sharing of your enhancement product.

When planning that presentation, be sure to include time for each group member to speak. Consider the best way to share your enhancement product with the class. Make arrangements with the teacher in advance of your presentation day if special equipment will be needed (ex. VCR and television, computer and projector, etc.) or if materials will need to be photocopied.

Each class member will  need to take notes as he/she listens to each group's presentation.  Your teacher may choose to test audience members on this information at some point after each presentation. 

Reflection

After any or all of the presentations is/are completed, respond to the following writing prompt:

Based on the information you have learned about a particular period in American history, what characteristics would you expect to find in the literature of the times?  Discuss possible themes, genres, trends, or movements in a well thought out essay. Include details and examples from the historical background presentation(s) to support your explanation.