Research+Project

As we begin our reading of **//Their Eyes were Watching God//**, you will work with a partner to research, plan, and create a 5- to 7-minute formal presentation on a cultural issue related to the novel.
 * Purpose: **

The topics that we need to address are listed below in no particular order. Once we have determined who is doing what topic, we will set deadlines according to when each topic will be presented.
 * Topics: **


 * 1) The role of women in the 1930s -- **Brandon and Ellen**
 * 2) Segregation and racial tensions in the South in the 1920s-1930s -- **Emil and Daniel**
 * 3) History of Eatonville, Florida -- **Taylor and Joey**
 * 4) Zora Neale Hurston’s life and influences -- **Avery and Caroline**
 * 5) The Harlem Renaissance -- **Ben J and Andrew**
 * 6) Critical reaction to the novel (make sure to consider Richard Wright) -- **Dal and Rob**
 * 7) Role of Storytelling in African-American culture -- **Erik and Ben T**

Use the guide attached to help you in your research. Practice choosing sources that are valid and strong in exploring your topic.
 * Research :**

> > > >
 * Elements of Presentation: **
 * 1) Provide your audience with a comprehensive overview of your topic derived from thoughtful research (at least four different sources) and synthesis of the information you have found. **You may use Wikipedia as a starting point, but you must validate information found there through another source.**
 * 1) Highlight the most salient points of your topic to help audience understand it.
 * 1) Your presentation should contain a significant creative element that is central to the content of your presentation (prezi, power point, demonstration, youtube video, etc. Use your imagination here!) to aid your audience in understanding your topic.
 * 1) Speak and present formally, with professionalism and polish.
 * 1) Submit a works cited page that contains all works consulted or used for your presentation


 * Your presentation will be worth 50 points. We will start these on Monday of next week. **


 * ** 50 points total ** || Exemplary || Pretty Strong || Okay-Just Satisfactory || Needs Significant Improvement ||
 * ** Explanation of most salient points related to your topic **


 * (15 points) ** || Clear, concise, organized, and comprehensive overview provided || Clear and comprehensive—organization not as strong as it could be || Some portions of explanation are clear—others not as much || Missing crucial elements or very disorganized ||
 * ** Creative Element **

-Aids audience in understanding most salient points of topic -Professionally executed and polished || -Link to topic is clear -Provides some clarity to audience on topic -Well-executed || -Link to topic may be somewhat unclear or not central to understanding topic -May have some errors or lack polish || -Link to topic extremely unclear -Does not elucidate important elements of topic -Sloppily executed ||
 * (15 points) ** || -Link to topic is clear
 * ** Works Cited/ Consulted **

-Four different sources listed || -May contain an error or two -Four sources listed || -May contain numerous flaws -Sources missing || -Missing or very incomplete -Sources missing ||
 * (5 points) ** || -Complete and correct in formatting and content
 * ** Speaking and Presentation Skills **

-excellent “flow” (few pauses or stammers) -smooth transitions -professional body language that communicates speaker’s authority and familiarity with subject -volume level appropriate || -good eye contact (may look down at paper too long at times) -generally a good flow of information with well-handled transitions -body language generally professional and polished -volume level appropriate || -limited eye contact -pauses and stammers may detract slightly from presentation -body language is, at times, unprofessional and/or distracting -volume level needs adjusting || -little to no eye contact -many pauses and stammers that detract greatly from presentation -body language unprofessional or very distracting -volume level needs adjusting ||
 * (10 points) ** || -great eye contact