Informational Essay
Unit Abstract
Students will apply their knowledge of how to read nonfiction texts as they research a trend. They will analyze the trend using three forms of analysis: textual analysis (what the trend is), historical analysis (how it has changed over time), and audience analysis (who participates in the trend). They will engage in both primary and secondary research and will work to focus their topic. They will cite their sources and use proper MLA formatting when creating a PowerPoint presentation (or any other appropriate program) that supports a claim on their findings about each of the areas of analysis. They will deliver their presentations to the class and evaluate their performances.
Students will apply their knowledge of how to read nonfiction texts as they research a trend. They will analyze the trend using three forms of analysis: textual analysis (what the trend is), historical analysis (how it has changed over time), and audience analysis (who participates in the trend). They will engage in both primary and secondary research and will work to focus their topic. They will cite their sources and use proper MLA formatting when creating a PowerPoint presentation (or any other appropriate program) that supports a claim on their findings about each of the areas of analysis. They will deliver their presentations to the class and evaluate their performances.
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Essential/Focus Questions
Key Concepts
Assessment Tasks
Students present their theories about a trend and support it with evidence from their research.
- How do researchers find information to support a theory?
- How do researchers narrow the focus of their investigations?
- How do researchers make sense of the information they collect?
- How do researchers use proper documentation?
Key Concepts
- citations
- claim/thesis
- documentation
- Modern Language Association (MLA)
- primary research
- secondary research
- works cited
Assessment Tasks
Students present their theories about a trend and support it with evidence from their research.
Intellectual Processes
- analyzing
- interpreting
- synthesizing
Lesson Sequence
Teaching Points
1. Researchers understand the requirements of the task and create a statement of purpose.
2. Researchers assess their research information with purpose to decide how to narrow focus further investigation. They develop further questions to gather relevant information as they focus their topic.
3. Researchers develop a system of collecting primary research (interviews, questionnaires, direct observation, emails/letters). It involves the collection of data that does not already exist. They make a research plan and keep track of the sources of information.
4. Researchers develop a system of collecting secondary research information. They keep track of the sources they gather information from.
5. Researchers examine their initial findings to determine what’s important, interesting, and relevant. It involves summarizing and categorizing existing research. They use this information to develop a theory.
6. Researchers synthesize the information they gather through primary research.
7. Researchers re-read in order to confirm or disconfirm their theory.
8. Researchers organize their information in a logical order for the product they will create.
9. Researchers use proper documentation to avoid plagiarism.
10. Researchers present their findings. They prepare by making sure they have answered the research question, fulfilled the task’s requirements, and rehearsed the presentation.
11. Researchers evaluate their research product and process in order to become better researchers in the future.
Teaching Points
1. Researchers understand the requirements of the task and create a statement of purpose.
2. Researchers assess their research information with purpose to decide how to narrow focus further investigation. They develop further questions to gather relevant information as they focus their topic.
3. Researchers develop a system of collecting primary research (interviews, questionnaires, direct observation, emails/letters). It involves the collection of data that does not already exist. They make a research plan and keep track of the sources of information.
4. Researchers develop a system of collecting secondary research information. They keep track of the sources they gather information from.
5. Researchers examine their initial findings to determine what’s important, interesting, and relevant. It involves summarizing and categorizing existing research. They use this information to develop a theory.
6. Researchers synthesize the information they gather through primary research.
7. Researchers re-read in order to confirm or disconfirm their theory.
8. Researchers organize their information in a logical order for the product they will create.
9. Researchers use proper documentation to avoid plagiarism.
10. Researchers present their findings. They prepare by making sure they have answered the research question, fulfilled the task’s requirements, and rehearsed the presentation.
11. Researchers evaluate their research product and process in order to become better researchers in the future.