Greek Character Mini Research Project and Presentation

Honor Code Level 2

Goals:

You will become an expert on one or two of the characters or gods/goddesses from the Iliad or Odyssey and teach the class about them, practicing presentation skills.
You will also show that you can quote, paraphrase, summarize and cite sources using MLA format.
We will ultimately be making an art gallery of these characters, so we can keep track of who’s who as we continue to study Greece and Rome.

Important Dates:

Fri., April 9:You will draw a character out of the box in order to choose a topic. We will then spend half of class researching in the library so you can begin putting together your project.
Mon., April 12: We will spend half of the class in computer labs putting together your project.
Tues., April 13: We will present our gallery in class.

Directions:

You will draw a character out of the “box of fate” on Friday.

You will conduct research on your topic in order to complete a short writing and visual to represent your topic.

Writing:

The mini research paper is just that – mini. No more than a page (under any circumstances). You will need to include the following information in your writing:

The name of your character (see if you can find the Roman name as well)
Symbols associated with your character
Their strengths and weaknesses
A paraphrased or summarized short story about him or her
His or her relevance to Greek mythology or to the Iliad or Odyssey

Cite the sources that you use:

You must use two sources (you may use more if you like)

No Wikipedia

Use MLA format for both the work cited section and in-text citations – “Zeus is a god” (Hamilton 23).

Visual:

You need to complete the picture on the back of your research paper.

It needs to be large enough and dark enough to see it from across the room.

It can be a drawing, a computer printout, a photocopy, or a magazine cutout (the picture must be school appropriate).

The picture needs to look like your character(s) and include any symbols or settings associated with them.

Include on the picture a list of their strengths and weaknesses (or label them in some way).

You need to have the character(s) names on the top of the sheet in large print.

This picture will be the visual aid in your presentation. After the presentations we will be hanging these in the front of the room as a reference point for the rest of the unit.

Rubric for Greek Character Presentation and Writing

Poise:_____/4

eye contact, no fidgeting

Voice:_____/4

No stumbling, pausing, umm or “like”
The presentation flows well

Content:_____/8

Around two min. long
Includes a story of the character
Important aspects, relevance, symbols

Drawing:_____/8

Title and visual are clear
Creatively represents character
Has strengths and weaknesses

Total Points for presentation and visual: _____/24

Ideas and Content (8 points):

Correctly and fluently uses quotes, summaries, and paraphrases to show research of at least two sources.
Body paragraphs develop the supporting ideas with the required number of specific and concrete examples covering all required aspects of the character.
Ideas are insightful and interpretations are legitimate and accurate

Uses a quote, summary, and paraphrase to show research of two sources, but it may not flow well.
Body paragraphs may develop ideas but have limited support (fewer than the required number of examples) or unclear connections to the importance of Greek mythology (Iliad/Odyssey) Underdeveloped examples.
Ideas and interpretations are legitimate, some errors that do not detract from meaning of the idea

May be missing the quote or paraphrase or summary may have only once source – or may use them incorrectly or awkwardly
Body paragraphs merely mention ideas, examples are present (though underdeveloped), but there is no explanation on of their role in mythology .
Ideas are unclear or do not make sense, errors of fact tend to distort meaning

Is missing two or more of the quote, paraphrase and summary – uses them incorrectly or awkwardly.
Body paragraphs mention ideas by merely telling(unclearly or too simply), without showing examples or making connections to their role in mythology – no story.

Ideas are not developed at all, major errors of fact. Paper is too short to demonstrate development of ideas.

Organization (4 points):

A strong and engaging intro and conclusion topic sentences are present and clear
Body paragraphs show a logical progression of ideas. Ideas flow seamlessly; placement of details enhances the strength of the argument
The writing is enhanced by smooth, effective transitions; topic transitions are at the beginning of new paragraph
The author’s use of paragraphs is intentional and precise

Introduction and conclusion topic sentences are present – may be simplistic

Body paragraphs show a logical progression
Organization has a simplistic structure, but it makes sense

Transitions move the reader through the piece
Knows how to use paragraphs effectively

Intro and concluding topic sentences might be too obvious or lacking in focus or awkward
Attempts at sequencing, but ideas/details are often misplaced, confusing, random, or formulaic

Transitions between sentences, paragraphs, quotes are rough

Does use paragraphs but not as effectively as they could be used

Intro and concluding topic sentences are missing

No apparent reason for the order of the paragraphs is present; lacks effective sequencing-random, confusing, misplaced detail.

Lacks transitions

Does not use paragraphs

Word Choice (4 points):

Accurate and purposefully chosen words give energy and life to the piece – sounds academic

Words chosen are accurate and purposeful – may be simplistic but is still academic sounding.

Words are ordinary: slang, clichés, colloquialisms, contractions employed – may be awkward or repetitive

Words are general, imprecise, and fail to communicate clearly

Sentence Fluency (4 points):

Variation in sentence structure, length, punctuation, and beginnings add interest to the piece
Sounds natural and fluent when read aloud—flows smoothly

Some variation in sentence structure, punctuation, length, and beginnings – may have some awkward areas.
Reader can move easily through the piece

Limited variation in sentence structure, length and beginnings detracts from overall effect
The writing often sounds choppy /rambling when read aloud

Sentence patterns are simplistic, repetitive, unclear, run-ons, or fragments
Text does not invite smooth oral reading – choppy and confusing

Conventions/Format (4 points):

Correct grammar and usage
Correct punctuation/ capitalization/spelling
Little need for editing
Uses citations of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries correctly
Works Cited is completed accurately.

Minor errors in grammar
A few punctuation/capitalization or spelling errors
Need for minor editing
May have minor errors in citations of two sources.
Works Cited has one error.

Errors in grammar and usage distract the reader
Punctuation often incorrect; glaring capitalization and spelling errors,
Substantial need for editing
Major errors in citations..
Works Cited has multiple errors.

Errors in grammar confuse the reader, shows limited skill
Punctuation and capitalization appears random, haphazard, omitted, incorrect
Spelling errors are glaring
No citations.
Works Cited is missing.

Total for Writing: ______/24