English 9 - Mr. Ubriaco

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
    Just get people to stop reading them.
~ Ray Bradbury test

 

 

 

Welcome to the Media Awareness Research Project.
Please use the links below to conduct your research for this project.
 Please follow  these steps while researching your topic.

The Media Awareness Project is an assessment of what you have learned during this unit.  For this assessment you will have to briefly research a controversial topic.  You will then have to write two biased articles on the topic (one positive and one negative).  You will then have to write an editorial giving your opinion on the topic but it will have to be based upon facts. Finally, you will have to answer the Five Essential Questions connected to this unit.

Step 1.  Choose one of the topics from below.

animal rights
art subsidies
assissted suicide
campaign finance reform
capital punishment
censorship of the arts
civil disobedience
child curfews
creationism vs evolution
imposition of democracy
drilling in the arctic national wildlife refuge
drug testing in schools
restrictions on freedom of speech
gay marriages
global warming
gun control
withdrawal from Iraq
Pre-emptive action
preventive war
Santa Claus
security vs liberty
schools right to search student lockers
television
U.S. imperialism
violent video games

 

Step 2.  Go to the Websites IDEA and Opposing Viewpoints to research your topic.

IDEA The IDEA Debatabase is the world's most useful resource for student debaters. Inside you will find arguments for and against hundreds of debating topics, written by expert debaters, judges and coaches. Also included are background summaries, links to websites of interest and recommended books, example motions and user comments.
Opposing Viewpoints Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center draws on the acclaimed social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as core reference content from other Gale and Macmillan Reference USA sources to provide a complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

Step 3.  Begin your research of two sides of the chosen issue.

Step 4.  Using a blue research sheet please write down at least five facts connected to your issue.

Step 5. Using the same blue research sheet write down five pros and cons for the issue. They may be the same as your five facts.

Step 6.  Using the same blue research sheet write down five facts about your topic.  You can look at the websites at the bottom of your IDEA page to continue your research.

Step 7.  Write an article that shows this issue from a biased positive viewpoint. Your article must have its own headline.

Step 8.  Write an article that shows this issue from a biased negative viewpoint. Your article must have its own headline.

Step 9.  Write an editorial about your topic.  Remember, it is your opinion but it must be backed up by facts.

Step 10.  Make sure each article is typed up and proofread before you hand it in.

Step 11.  Hand in the articles with blue note sheets.

Step 12.  Answer the 5 Essential Questions in writing.

Step 13.  Hand in the 5 Essential Questions

 

Research Notes  are due Monday, February 12th.
Everything is Due on February 15th!