English III: Final Portfolio

1. English III: Final Portfolio Mrs. Casey 2013

2. What is American? • For your English III final, you will create a portfolio that answers the essential question: What is American? • This portfolio will encompass all of the skills learned this year through a cumulative research project. • This project will include: a portfolio, a presentation, and a persuasive essay

3. End Product • You will compile several items based on your answer to the essential question into a portfolio, including: • Short fiction • Academic essay/article • Poem • Visual • Historical event • Persuasive essay

4. Details: Short Fiction • You will find a short story where the theme supports your thesis statement of your persuasive essay. • Each paragraph will be annotated • Words defined • Literary elements found- metaphor, allusion,etc. • Theme will be clearly stated on the page

5. Details: Essay/Article • You will find an essay or article that supports your thesis statement of your persuasive essay. • You will annotate each paragraph • Write the main idea on the page

6. Details: Poem • Using the SOAPSTONE worksheet, you will analyze a poem that supports your thesis statement of your persuasive essay. • 14+ lines • Annotate poem (use the 4 step method on the How to Annotate a Poem handout) • Fill out SOAPSTONE worksheet

7. Details: Visual • You will include a copy of a photograph, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. that supports your thesis statement of your persuasive essay. • Copy of visual • Explanation of how this visual supports your thesis statement

8. Details: Historical Event • You will include research about a historical event involving America, either directly or indirectly, which supports your thesis statement of your persuasive essay. • Annotate the article

9. Details: Annotated Bibliographies • You will create an annotated bibliography (5 total) for the following sources: • Short fiction • Article/essay • Poem • Visual • Historical event

10. Persuasive Essay • You will write a seven (7) paragraph essay defending your answer to the essential question: What is American? • MLA format • Outline • 1st draftwith peer edit • 2nd draft with peer edit • Final draft * Each missing item results in 10 point penalty.

11. Outline Example A. Paragraph 1:Introduction i. Start with big idea ii. Narrow down topic iii. Thesis statement is your last sentence! B. Paragraph 2: short fiction i. Topic sentence ii. Direct evidence + analysis iii. Direct evidence + analysis iv. Concluding sentence

12. Outline, con’t C. Paragraph 3: Academic essay/article i. Topic sentence ii. Direct evidence + analysis iii. Direct evidence + analysis iv. Evidence or concluding sentence D. Paragraph 4: Poem i. Topic sentence ii. Direct evidence + analysis iii. Direct evidence + analysis iv. Evidence or concluding sentence

13. Outline, con’t E. Paragraph 5: Visual (see organization of previous paragraphs) F. Paragraph 6: Historical event (see organization of previous paragraphs) G. Paragraph 7: Conclusion i. Re-state thesis statement ii. Summarize findings iii. End on a big note/idea/rhetorical question

14. Presentation • During finals week, you will present your findings from your research portfolio. • This presentation will use the Senior Project rubric and will count toward your final grade. • It is required for each student to present. • You will sign up for a time slot the week before finals.  • You will bedazzle us with your amazing findings!!!!!!

15. The End