CGW 4U1 – WORLD ISSUES
MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER OR SEMINAR PRESENTATION
RESEARCH PAPER
Purpose:
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To research a current global issue using a variety of sources.
To critically analyze the issue through the development of an Argumentative Essay.
Task:
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You will be required to write an ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY during this course.
The essay will be a thesis-based research paper of approximately 1250 - 1500 words
chosen from a series of selected topics provided in this handout.
The purpose of researching and writing a major essay is to allow students the
opportunity to carry out in-depth research on a particular topic of their choosing.
In addition this essay will allow students to develop a level of expertise on a specific
topic.
Students are to follow all the proper conventions of research and documentation
according to proper APA citation and format.
You must submit one copy of your Report on the assigned due date. Your report
should be succinct and include:
o A reference page citing all sources that you have used in APA format
o Proper APA referencing inside the body of your report
o Properly formatted APA Title Page
o 5 – 6 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman or Arial 12 pt font
Process and Due Dates:
1. Topic Selection
2. Submission of Final Formal Essay
Tues. Sept. 24, 2013
Tues. Dec. 3, 2013
SEMINAR PRESENTATION
Purpose:
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To research a current global issue using a variety of sources
To identify different viewpoints on the issue
To critically analyze the issue through the development of a Seminar Presentation
To suggest solutions to the issue
Overview:
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Students will work individually and MUST present both viewpoints of their assigned
topic
Students will present the issue to the class in the form of a 15 - 20 minute seminar
presentation.
Outline:
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Students will present the issue to the class
Student must also submit a properly APA formatted Reference Page
The Presentation will be 15 - 20 minutes in length and MUST include the following:
a) Introduction to the Issue – identification of the issue including where, when,
what and who
b) Viewpoint #1 – explain one viewpoint on the issue
c) Viewpoint #2 – explain the other viewpoint on the issue
d) Conclusion to the Issue – make recommendations on how to solve the issue
Method of Presentation:
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An excellent seminar uses a variety of presentation skills: video clips, power point,
overheads and other visuals that you feel are necessary
o Clips may only account up to 5 minutes of your presentation
All seminars MUST include a power point presentation with pictures, maps, graphs,
tables, etc.
A successful presentation should generate a class discussion on the topic.
All students will be responsible for material presented during the seminars.
Process and Due Dates:
1. Topic Selection
2. Seminar Presentation
Tues. Sept. 24, 2013
TBD
Suggested Topics
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Human Rights in the Middle East
European Union and North
America
North American Free Trade
Agreement
Globalization
Legalization of Marijuana
Greenpeace
Hunger in Africa
Environmental Action Groups
(Pollution)
Different Systems of Crime and
Punishment
World Population Growth
Response to the War on
Terrorism
Disease in Developing Nations
Urban Pollution
Deforestation
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Nuclear Disarmament
Alternative Energy Sources
Endangered Species
Sweatshops
Amnesty International
United Nations Peacekeeping
Global Warming
Industrialization in the Third
World
War Affected Children
Child Soldiers
Child Labour
Canadian Military in Afghanistan
War in Iraq
Present day Slavery
Rising Oil Prices
Women in the Middle East
Nuclear Weapons
ESSAY OR POSITION PAPER GUIDE
PRE-WRITING
1. Examine the issue you wish to write about. Issues arise when an event becomes
controversial. For example, the event might be: dropping an atom bomb. The issue
might be: dropping the bomb ended the war more quickly. Identify the importance
of the issue you are writing about. What are the underlying issues of the event?
2. Identify arguments for or against an issue. A yes viewpoint supports the action taken
on the issue while a no viewpoint opposes the action. Knowing the basic ideas of the
people who support the viewpoint and those who oppose the viewpoint, as well as
some information about their background and beliefs, will help you to understand
reasons for their viewpoint.
3. Make a decision on the issue. After examining both sides of the issue, take a position
on the issue.
WRITING
1. Introduction statement. Write a clear statement in the affirmative of your viewpoint
of the issue to convince the reader of your position and your reasoning
2. Arguments. Start with your most forceful argument first. Give reasons why you
support the argument. Provide examples from other sources that support your
viewpoint. Incorporate opposing viewpoints and counter these arguments with
reasons that support your position. Arguments should flow in a logical order.
3. Examples. Use examples to defend your argument. All examples should support or
add to your arguments.
4. Concluding Statement. Summarize your arguments with a concluding statement
giving reasons to justify the position that you have taken.
RESEARCH REPORT RUBRIC
STUDENT NAME: ________________________________
Categories
Level 1
(50-59%)
Level 2
(60-69%)
Level 3
(70-79%)
Level 4
(80-100%)
Total
Knowledge/
Understanding
Knowledge of
Content
(facts, terms,
definitions)
-demonstrates
limited knowledge
of content
-demonstrates some
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
thorough
knowledge of
content
/100
Understanding of
Content
(concepts, ideas)
-demonstrates
limited
understanding of
content
-demonstrates some
understanding of
content
-demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
content
-demonstrates
thorough
understanding of
content
-uses planning and
processing skills
with limited
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with some
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with considerable
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with a high degree
of effectiveness
/100
Expression and
organization of ideas
and information
- expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
limited
effectiveness
- expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
some effectiveness
- expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
considerable
effectiveness
- expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with a
high degree of
effectiveness
/100
Use of language
conventions
- uses language
conventions with
limited
effectiveness
- uses language
conventions with
some effectiveness
- uses language
conventions with
considerable
effectiveness
- uses language
conventions with a
high degree of
effectiveness
Making connections
within and between
various contexts
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts
with limited
effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts
with some
effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts
with considerable
effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts
with a high degree
of effectiveness
APA format
-uses APA format
with limited
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with some
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with considerable
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with a high degree
of effectiveness
Thinking
Use of planning and
processing skills
(focusing research,
gathering
information)
Communication
Application
/100
SEMINAR PRESENTATION RUBRIC
STUDENT NAME: ____________________________________
Category/
Criteria
Knowledge/
Understanding
Level 1
(50-59%)
Level 2
(60-69%)
Level 3
(70-79%)
Level 4
(80-100%)
Knowledge of
Content
(facts, terms,
definitions)
-demonstrates
limited knowledge
of content
-demonstrates some
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
thorough knowledge
of content
Understanding of
Content
(concepts, ideas)
-demonstrates
limited
understanding of
content
-demonstrates some
understanding of
content
-demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
content
-demonstrates
thorough
understanding of
content
-uses planning and
processing skills
with limited
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with some
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with considerable
effectiveness
-uses planning and
processing skills
with a high degree of
effectiveness
Communication of
information and
ideas
- communicates
information and
ideas with limited
clarity
- communicates
information and
ideas with some
clarity
- communicates
information and
ideas with
considerable clarity
- communicates
information and
ideas with a high
degree of clarity and
confidence
Presents for an
audience and a
purpose
- presents with a
limited sense of
audience and
purpose
- presents with some
sense of audience
and purpose
- presents with a
clear sense of
audience and
purpose
- presents with a
strong sense of
audience and
purpose
Making
connections within
and between
various contexts
-makes
connections within
and between
various contexts
with limited
effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts with
some effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts with
considerable
effectiveness
-makes connections
within and between
various contexts with
a high degree of
effectiveness
APA Format
-uses APA format
with limited
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with some
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with considerable
effectiveness
-uses APA format
with a high degree of
effectiveness
Thinking
Use of planning
and processing
skills (focusing
research, gathering
information)
Communication
Application