Fame in the 20th Century Research Project

Fame in the 20th Century Research Project Goals

Each student will select a famous figure from the designated 20th c. time period for your English II class, which includes an author, celebrity, scientist, artist, musician, political figure, athlete, or a person of notoriety. After gathering information, each student will give a 4-6 minute speech on his/her assigned topic. Fellow students WILL take notes and enjoy an overview of fame in the 20th century.

  1. Select a topic. Every student must sign up for a figure who was famous DURING the time period for which your class is covering (i.e. this is NOT the time when the person was born)
  2. Create a thesis statement and working outline.
  3. Figure out the answer to these questions: WHY was this person famous? What effect did this person’s fame have on his/her contemporary society and/or the 20th century as a whole? (Answering these questions will help you to develop your thesis statement)
  4. Find resources. You may use one encyclopedia, the internet, personal interviews, pamphlets, and the books available in media center. Once you determine that you have a valuable source, make a source card before you begin taking notes from the source.
  5. Take notes according to the guidelines given in class. Write only one fact per card.
  6. Gather at least 20 facts on your topic. Make sure to answer the directives.
  7. Create a formal outline to present to the teacher before you give your speech.
  8. Prepare an introduction and conclusion for your speech.
  9. Provide a visual aide to enhance your speech (large enough to see from the back of the room!)
  10. Present a 4-6 minute speech with visual aide on your given topic to the class.

(Works Cited page and outline must be presented to the teacher before you give your speech!)

Advice: Try to pick a topic in which you have at least a remote interest. Use your resources, including the teacher. Follow Directions. Meet deadlines.

Directives for Fame in the 20th Century Research Project:

  1. Discuss at least 3 significant events that occurred during the selected person’s life/period of fame.
  2. Give background and insight into why this person became famous.
  3. State a major effect this person had on society at the time or how s/he has had a lasting effect on society today.
  4. Explain whether the person’s fame lives on today or if it was unique to the time period in which s/he lived.

Note: Some of the directives will be found in your resources; however, sometimes you must infer based on your research in order to answer the directive. Beyond your 50 cards, you may have opinion cards to answer the directives.

GRADING: 200 points

25 points = 5-Card check

(This check includes: 1-Thesis/Outline Card, SourceCard, 1-Opinion Card, and 2-Fact Cards)

50 points = 30 correctly completed note cards

(3-source cards, 7-opinion cards, 20-fact cards)

**NOTE: All note cards must be turned in after the speech to earn full credit.**

50 points= Formal Outline and Works Cited page

125 Points= 4-6 Minute Speech given to class

Sample Outline for Fame in the 20th Century Research Project

Title

Thesis: (Include your revised or the same thesis statement here.)

Hook:(Something unique that will grab your audience’s attention.)

  1. Up Bringing/Background – How did this person’s childhood affect his/her future fame?
  2. Birth date and place
  3. Childhood
  4. Place
  5. Family Structure
  6. Significant Events
  7. Date
  8. Place
  9. Effect event had on the individual’s future (fame)
  10. Height of Fame
  11. Early Career/Life
  12. How did the person first get into the path that led him/her to fame?
  13. Anyone else involved in helping him/her?
  14. Sacrifices s/he made?
  15. Pivotal Moment (event bringing him/her into the limelight)
  16. What was going on in society at this time?
  17. Why did others take notice of this person at this period in time? (Why was what they did important at the time?)
  18. Accomplishments/Downfall
  19. Other people involved (if applicable)
  20. Awards/Distinguishing Attributes
  21. Downfall(s) that led to person’s decline in fame
  22. Effect on Society/ 20th century
  23. How did this person change the area in which s/he worked?
  24. How did this have an effect upon history as we know it today?
  25. Were any other famous people influenced by this person?
  26. What would life be like had this person not achieved this fame?

Guidelines for the Fame in the 20th Century Research Project

Below you will find the years that your class will cover for the Fame in the 20th Century Research Project. Remember, you will need to pick a person who was famous DURING your time period (Do not mistake being born on a certain date for being famous during that period.) Please follow the guidelines below for selecting your famous person:
1. The famous person falls into your classes’ time period.
2. You are the only person in your class researching this person (before signing up, pick 2-3 people you would be interested in case your person is already taken when you sign up).
3. You may sign up for your person starting at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14th, outside of Mrs. Walden’s and Mrs. Baima’s rooms on the BLUE bulletin board.
4. You must have your person selected and listed with your English II teacher by no later than the end of class on Friday, March 16th.
5. Use your time in the computer lab wisely as Mrs. Walden and Mrs. Baima will be allowing very few days to work on the computers.
1900-1924 – 1st hour (Walden)
1925-1949 – 6th Hour (Baima)
1950-1974 – 3rd Hour (Walden)
1975-1999 – 7th Hour (Baima)
Materials Needed:
□At least 30 small (3x5), white, lined note cards
□Ziplock bag (to hold note cards—quart or gallon)
□Black ink pen for note cards
□Binder or Folder to hold all research materials