English II
L. Wilson
Research Project for The Kite Runner
The purpose of this assignment is to gain background knowledge relevant to the novel we will be
reading, The Kite Runner. In addition, by sharing the information you find, we are able to create a shared
fund of knowledge for the whole class. The assignment is worth 125 points. (100-paper; 25presentation)
A. Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of the project you will be able to . . .
a. Locate and read at least three sources of information about a topic from at least two
different types of sources: including books, periodicals, Internet sites, documentary
films, or encyclopedias
b. Write a two-page (minimum) report of the information found from research about a
topic
c. Present a short oral presentation of the research results to the class
B. What you need to do:
a. Working alone or in a group of two or three, choose one of the topics to research
related to The Kite Runner. The more specific the topic, the better it will be. (e.g. Sunni
Muslims in Afghanistan, rather than Muslims in general)
b. Use the search page available through the library or your own search to locate resources
c. Read the resources and gather the most important details about your topic
d. Write your report using the following organization:
i. Paragraph 1: Introduce and define the topic you researched.
ii. Paragraph 2 and 3: Summarize the most important details you found out about
the topic. Organize the summary into two paragraphs.
iii. Paragraph 4: Reflect about what you learned.
e. The report must be at least two pages long, double-spaced and 12 point Times New
Roman font. If it is not formatted correctly it will not be graded.
f. Type the report and upload it to turnitin.com with the citations for your sources. The
citations must be in MLA format.
g. Share your information in an oral presentation to the class.
C. Possible Research Topics: The Kite Runner:
a. Education in Afghanistan (1980-2001)
b. Treatment of women in Afghanistan before and during Taliban rule
c. Taliban rule in Afghanistan
i. Select one mini-topic
1. Law and punishment
2. Restrictions
3. Worship practices
d. Sunni Muslims
e. Shi’a Muslims
f. The Koran (or Qur’an)
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
Pashtun tribe in Afghanistan
Hazara Tribe in Afghanistan
Monarchy in Afghanistan before the war with Russia
Russian invasion (late 1970’s)
Kite Flying Tournaments in Afghanistan
Buzkashi (national sport)
Afghani food
Afghani music
Geography of Afghanistan
Economy in Afghanistan
The arts in Afghanistan
i. Select one mini-topic
1. Music
2. Media
3. Film
r. The Mosque
s. Afghanistan family structure
t. Marriage customs in Afghanistan culture (courtship, engagement, marriage)
Research Project Rubric
Research
____ Three or more
resources used
____ Two different types of
resources used
____ Resources in MLA
format
____ 30 pts.
Contents
____ Topic is introduced
____ Information is
summarized into two
paragraphs
____ Summary paragraphs
are coherent
____ Writer personally
reflects on topic
____ 50 pts.
Format
____ The report is at least
two pages in length
____ Formatting criteria are
followed
____ 10 pts.
Clarity
____ Errors in writing conventions
do not affect readability
____ 10 pts.
Oral
Presentation
____ Makes eye contact
with classmates
____ Speaks in a volume that
can be heard by all
____ Presents information
without reading report
____ 25 pts.
Written Report for The Kite Runner
Name __________________________
Topic: ____________________________________________________________
Source 1: ______________________________________________________
Source 2: ______________________________________________________
Source 3: ______________________________________________________
Source 4: ______________________________________________________
Did you have any difficulty locating sources? (Explain)
______________________________________________________________________________
__
______________________________________________________________________________
__
______________________________________________________________________________
__
What kind of help did you get? (e.g. librarian, other student, roommate, instructor)
______________________________________________________________________________
__
______________________________________________________________________________
__
______________________________________________________________________________
__
Total points for assignment: ________