NBE3C Name:
The Rant
Assignment
You will create a rant about issues stemming from the film Rhymes with Young Ghouls.
To do this, you will:
- Give a brief summary of the film
- Talk about the characteristics of Aila and Popper, and prove them using specific actions and examples from the film. How did they make you feel?
- Talk about the mental and physical abuse suffered by characters in the film. Provide specific examples. Is this abuse of Aboriginal peoples historically accurate? How did it make you feel?
- Talk about the symbolism in the film. What is a symbol in the film and what did it represent? What is the purpose of the symbol and how did it make you feel?
- Why should(n’t) people watch this film? Explain.
The rant will be a few minutes long and delivered either orally in class, through video, or animation. If you choose to record or make a video, you must upload it online on a website where I can view it (ex. Youtube). I will not accept files sent to me. These are too large and often do not work). It is each student’s responsibility to choose a format that they are comfortable with as Mr. Stratton will not be teaching a variety of formats for delivery of this assignment.
Work to be Submitted and Due Dates
Stage/Topic / Date of Submission1 / Residential School Research Paper / Part 1 / Due January 12, 2014
2 / Rhymes with Young Ghouls Rant AND Written Copy of Rant / Part 2 / Due January 14, 2014
What is a Rant?
Rant
· To speak or write in an angry or passionate manner; rave.
· A speech or piece of writing that incites anger or strong emotion:
Still not sure?
A rant is a way to express your opinion orally or in writing about a subject or event that you find frustrating, inspiring, saddening or infuriating.
We will look at a few examples from Rick Mercer and from the SOAPBOX.
Tips and Tricks
A few things to consider when writing a rant:
1. Put yourself in the shoes of the characters to try to understand their emotions before writing. This emotional effect will be powerful in your rant.
2. Get all of the facts – use your notes from the film and your research on residential schooling
3. Give plenty of context – provide the relevant parts of the story
4. Don’t come across JUST angry – it is effective to switch emotions depending on your topic. You can switch from angry, to frustrated, to sympathetic, to inspired/positive (where possible)
5. Avoid focusing the rant on just one or a few topics
Taken from “How to Write a Rant Without Looking Like a Jerk”
Other Resources
Writing a RANT http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Rant
How to Write a Rant without Looking Like a Jerk http://relevance.com/blog/write-rant-blog-post-without-looking-like-jerk/
Videos of Rick Mercer’s Rants
Very effective to view to see how Rick Mercer uses his emotions, body language, change of tone, and memorization of script
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/The+Rick+Mercer+Report/Rick%27s+Rants/
Sample Rant (though your requirements and topics are much different!)
Letting Down Veterans
By Rick Mercer
October 12, 2010
I like politics because, in many ways, it is the theatre of the absurd. I love politics for the same reason I love Monty Python. But occasionally, politics can move from the absurd to the obscene just like that. Which brings us to the case of Colonel Pat Stogran.
A Canadian solider, Stogran served his country for thirty five years, and then the Tories came along and, with huge fan fare, they gave him a job. A new job – one job and one job only: to stand up for our veterans. A veterans’ ombudsman. And boy, do they regret that. Because apparently, he wasn’t paying attention when they said, “Oh, and keep your mouth shut.” So this summer, when we weren’t paying attention, the Tories quietly said it was time for the good colonel to move on.
Why? Well, for starters, he crossed the line when he criticized the veterans’ charter. I mean, how dare he? All the parties supported the veterans’ charter. Why not –it’s a charter! Everyone loves a charter. Everyone loves a veteran. But it was Stogran who said, “No, no, no …… read the fine print. Under the new charter, disabled solders actually get less money than ever before.”
So, for all you people who believe this government has never tried to cut costs? Oh, they have – on the backs of injured soldiers. And the only reason we know this is Pat Stogran. So basically, he was fired. And now we find out his personal medical files have been accessed by the government over four hundred times. He’s not the only one. If you’re a veteran, and you cross the government, your medical files will get passed around like a dirty picture at summer camp.
Pat Stogran deserved the Order of Canada, double the budget and a corner office. Instead, he’s being shown the door. He stood up for veterans. Where are the MPs who are going to stand up for him?
The RANT Rubric
Please self-assess your discussion and then submit this rubric to Mr. Stratton on January 14. All written preparation is to be submitted with this document.
Category / Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4Knowledge
-selected appropriate topic for assignment / -topic and question were not appropriate for a civics discussion / -topic and question were somewhat appropriate for building a political discussion / - topic and question were appropriate / -topic and question were appropriate and allowed for meaningful connections
-describes civic issues / Limited description / Some description, did not include further background / Considerable description, included an appropriate amount of detail / Thorough description, excellent description of the issue
-explains involved groups perspectives / Limited discussion of groups involved, mentions only part of groups involved / Some description of groups, or thorough description of one side of argument / Considerable description of groups involved, clearly discusses both sides of argument / Thorough description of both/all sides of issue and those involved.
-describes beliefs and values associated with various groups involved in the civic issue / Limited discussion of beliefs and values / Some description of beliefs and values / Considerable description of beliefs and values / Thorough description of beliefs and values
Application
-organized information to provide evidence for opinion on the article/topic / Little to no organization of evidence for opinion / Some organization of evidence for opinion / Considerable organization of evidence for opinion,
There is a clear structure and appropriate evidence / Thorough organization of evidence for opinion, support chosen is clear, and concise
-explains roles and responsibilities of the branches and levels of government involved / Mentions appropriate level and branch of government involved with the issue/topic / Mentions and applies roles and responsibilities of appropriate levels and branches of government involved with the issue/topic with some accuracy / Mentions and applies roles and responsibilities of appropriate levels and branches of government involved with the issue/topic with accuracy / Mentions and applies roles and responsibilities of appropriate levels and branches of government involved with the issue/topic thoroughly
Thinking
-evaluate and synthesize information to give an opinion / Formulates an opinion based on article and topic / Formulates and explains opinion based on the article and topic / Formulates and explains opinion based on multiple articles and some other sources / Formulates and explains opinion based on multiple articles and other sources, also indicates counter arguments
-provides evidence supporting opinion / Evidence is directly from article but is used inaccurately / Evidence is from article and accurate / Evidence is from article and other sources, there exist some inaccuracy due to misinterpretations / Evidence is from article and other sources, evidence is thorough, succinct
Communication
-communicates ideas, arguments, and conclusions in an organized manner that is appropriate for their audience / Communication of ideas and arguments are limited / Communication of ideas, arguments, and conclusion are somewhat clear and well-intended for audience / Communication of ideas, arguments, and conclusion are clear and are well-intended for audience / Communication of ideas, arguments, and conclusion are clear, concise, organised and well-intended for audience
-formatting of method of delivery was appropriate for the intended audience / limited / Somewhat / Considerable / Effective choice, use, and delivery of the rant through students format
-used appropriate terminology (dependant on the topic being presented) / Limited use of appropriate terminology / Some use of appropriate terminology / Considerable use of appropriate terminology / Thorough use of appropriate terminology
-used MLA referencing, included Bibliography / Sources were given, referencing format is not clear / Attempted to use MLA referencing or referenced with another system, numerous errors existed / Used MLA referencing, with a few small errors / Used MLA referencing well, with no errors
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