Things Fall Apart Research Project



Things Fall Apart Compare/Contrast Research Essay Project –

English II Pre-AP ---Ms. Hayman

Objective- why are we doing this?

o This research project is meant to act as practice for developing quality research and note-taking procedures for you in the future

o The essay is practice at developing skills for

o Compare/Contrast writing

o Synthesizing information from multiple sources

o The information gathered by yourself and the information gathered and presented by others will give you a broader and deeper understanding of tribal life in Nigeria, which helps you understand “culture” and gives important background information for the novel, and thus better appreciation of American culture as well

o This essay will also develop your compare/contrast writing skills as you compare/contrast your area of focus of Nigerian culture with similar areas of American culture

Materials:

o Things Fall Apart (used as a source on Nigeria and the Ibo)

o 2 sources on Nigeria and the Ibo culture

o 2 sources on American culture

o total of five sources (at least one source must come from a book)

o Note taking sheet completed for each source (5 total)

Topics: (highlight YOUR topic when it’s assigned)

o Religion – connects to religion, tradition, social structure

o Food – connects to food, ceremonies, traditions

o Festivals/holidays/– connects to tradition, ceremonies, food, holidays

o Government/Laws – connects to government, social structure

o Family – connects to traditions, customs, marriage, gender roles

o Weddings/funerals – connects to marriage, customs, traditions, religion, ceremonies/ burial

Directions:

o Step 1: Fill out the bibliographical information section on the note taking sheet for EVERY source before reading the source. Anytime you do research, you need to know as much about the source as possible before you begin, since you’ll need a bibliography (what is known in MLA format as a “works cited” page, because it is where you list all the “works” that are “cited” within your essay).

o Step 2: Scan and read the sources. You’ll need a combination of at least FIVE notes and quotes from every source. Start scanning TFA novel as your first source on Ibo/Nigerian culture, and then move on to your articles/other sources. Remember, you’re looking for the MOST important key facts and details from each source which relates to your topic. Ask yourself what a person who knows nothing about your topic would need to know to have a basic understanding of the subject, and which specific aspects might be best to focus upon for comparing and contrasting?

o Step 3: Record the information - take your notes. Using the sources and the note taking sheet, record all facts from each source. At least several notes should be DIRECT QUOTES from the articles.

- Altogether, you should have a note taking sheet completed for FIVE sources total – Things Fall Apart, 2 articles on Nigeria/Ibo culture, and 2 articles on America

o Step 4: Using your now-completed note taking sheet, outline body paragraphs 1 & 2 about Nigeria and body paragraphs 1 & 2 about America using block format which summarizes the basic outline of your subject, in your own words, using quotes from your research to back-up your main ideas (double-space). Two expository paragraphs will be about your topic Nigeria/Ibo culture, and the other two are about American culture. Each fact that you reference needs a CITATION.

o Step 5: Develop an introductory and concluding paragraph outline/rough draft

o Step 6: Write your first draft using your intro and concluding paragraphs along with the developed body paragraphs from the outlines and notes taken

o Step 7: Edit and Revise first draft

o Step 8: Final draft (Final draft should be at least 6 paragraphs, 300-500 words)

Each note taking sheet should include the following:

o bibliographical information section

o at least FIVE notes/points from every source that are relevant to the topic chosen and explain the significance of the notes you found

o at least FIVE quotes from every source that relate to the notes and topic chosen and explain the significance of each quote

o the MOST important key facts and details from each source which relates to your topic and explain why you feel they are important

Novel schedule:

o Read chapters 1-9 by end of class on Friday- May 3rd

o Read Chapters 10-15 by end of class on Friday- May 10th

o Read Chapters 16-25 by end of class on Friday- May 17th

Portfolio schedule:

o Each part should be maintained daily as you read through the novel (8 parts total)

o Portfolio Project status check on Friday May 10th (must have completed half of each part)

o Portfolio Work day in class May 22nd

o Completed Portfolio Project due on Friday May 23rd. MAJOR GRADE

Research schedule:

o Introduction to research project-April 30th Rubric- project guidelines- due dates (meet in computer lab 1052) Begin research of sources

o Independent Library research day-May 17th and 22nd (passes will be given to go to library individually on these days)

o May 20th and 21st - locate sources- work on completing note sheets for each source- Continue Research and finalize research of sources- begin outlines of body paragraphs and rough drafts (meet in computer lab 1052) Rough Draft Due May 22nd. MAJOR GRADE

o Review rough drafts- begin revision and editing process- begin final drafts May 24th and May 28th. (meet in computer lab 1052)

o Research Work day May 29th (meet in computer lab 1052)

o Research project due on May 29th by the end of the class period. This includes Final Draft- with attached rough draft- revision and editing draft- outline and all 5 note sheets from research sources. (meet in computer lab 1052) MAJOR GRADE

****ALL DATES AND DEADLINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN IN CLASS AND ANNOUNCED ON WEBSITE IF ANY DATES NEED TO BE POSTPONED DUE TO DELAYS CAUSED BY STAAR TESTING DATES OR SCHOOL WIDE EVENTS THAT AFFECT ALL CLASSES. NO EXTENTIONS WILL BE GIVEN ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS DUE TO ABSENCES (SCHOOL SPONSORED OR OTHERWISE). IF YOU ARE ABSENT YOU ARE RESPONISBLE FOR MEETING ALL SCHEDULED DEADLINES. BE SURE TO CHECK WITH ME, OTHER CLASSMATES, OR THE CLASS WEBSITE FOR CHANGES IN THE SCHEDULE!

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